The Early Years.

Barden Park is 2.5 acres in size and located west of the Mississippi River in the southside neighborhood of St. Cloud. The first park was a gift of John L. Wilson to the new village of St. Cloud. The original townsite plat was filed on September 1, 1855 with a survey by T.A. Curtis, Civil Engineer. The northern boundary of the platted area was the ravine connecting Lake George with the Mississippi River and the park was originally known as Central Park.

The streets and avenues had names, but these names were later changed to numbers. The park is located between 4th and 5th avenues and 7th and 8th streets south.

Until many houses were built and streets and avenues developed, little thought was given to Central Park. All vacant property was natural park and open playground. Members of women’s organizations were among those interested in improving the park. Among those who planted beds of gladiolas and salvia in the park were Mrs. Fred Whitney, Mrs. John Bohm, Mrs. H. C. Bowing and Mrs. Martin Molitor.

Same Park. New Name.

In 1895, Charles H. Barden, a native of Ireland, came to St. Cloud and with two of his brothers opened a clothing store. Later he went into business by himself selling shoes. For many years Charles H. Barden was a member of the St. Cloud Park Board and supervised our city parks and started tree nurseries - all without pay. Mr. And Mrs. Barden made their home at 626 Fourth Avenue South across from the park.

Mr. Barden passed away December 18, 1926 and in the spring of 1938 Central Park was re-named Barden Park in honor of Charles Barden. It was a well deserved recognition to one who gave liberally of his time, thought and effort for the city of St. Cloud.

Trees.

The trees in Barden Park are mostly elm and oak. One spruce tree was planted by the Twentieth Century club to honor Mrs. C. L. Atwood. In 1937, C.L. Thomas, employed by the Minnesota Highway Department, with a group of young men under the National Youth Administration, removed crippled and diseased trees from the park, pruned and shaped park trees so that little or no additional care need be given Barden Park trees for many years.

The Spanish American War.

A heavy iron cannon once stood near the northeast corner of the park but was removed during World War II and given to the War Production board during a scrap iron salvage campaign. That cannon was from the Spanish battleship Viscia, which surrendered when it was beached at Santiago Harbor Cuba when the Spanish fleet was bottled up there during the Spanish American War.

The Municipal Band & Barden Park.

Barden Park has been the home of the Municipal Band every summer for many years. In the early 1900’s a wooden “gazebo” style bandstand was constructed for the Municipal Band and in 1924 it was replaced with a granite band stand designed by local architects Schaefer & Fisher. The wooden bandstand was later relocated to a St. Cloud Park across from Jefferson School.

The granite bandstand may have outlived its usefulness as a stage but still holds a place in the neighborhood as a historical and visual landmark. Currently, the Municipal Band performs annual summer concerts Thursday evenings June thru August on a portable stage provided by the city. Future plans include the design and construction of a permanent band shell for year-round use by the Municipal Band and the community.

2001 Master Plan.

A master plan for Barden Park was created in 2001 and the St. Cloud Historic & Neighborhood Preservation Assoiciation (SCH&NPA) has continued to lead the effort to improve Barden Park.

The original fountain and lily pool, a gift of C.L. Atwood, was later converted into a wading pool for small children and then removed in the 1960’s. Thanks to the work of the St. Cloud Historic & Neighborhood Preservation Association (SCH&NPA) the fountain was rededicated in 2006 with new paving stones, granite benches, lighting, and a new fountain. In 2005 SCH&NPA was also awarded a Minnesota Historical Society Grant for $35,000 to restore the granite bandstand.

If you would like more information about Barden Park and the St. Cloud Historic & Neighborhood Preservation Association contact Juliana Eckhert.

http://www.ci.stcloud.mn.us/Parks/Website/support/barden.htm