Putnam Park
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Putnam Park is a 230-acre (0.93 km2) community park located in the city of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, on land owned by the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire (UWEC) The park is located in the middle of the city and follows the course of both the Chippewa River to the west and Little Niagara Creek (also known as Minnie Creek) to the east. Much of the park lies on the boundary of the Third Ward neighborhood. The eastern terminus of the park sits directly south of a steep section of Harding Avenue, once called "Plank Street Hill." The western section of the park, as well as much of the eastern section, have been designated as a State Natural Area.[1]
The park is administered by Putnam Park Commission, a body composed of representatives from UWEC, the Eau Claire City Council, and the community at large.[2]
The land for the park was donated to the city of Eau Claire in 1909 by Henry Cleveland Putnam. The 230-acre parcel was set in a low-lying area, which Putnam hoped would be conserved as a botanical laboratory due to the many species of trees and plants found there. In 1957, ownership of the land was transferred from the city to Wisconsin State College at Eau Claire, under the administration of W. R. Davies.