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StreetHighland Park Land for this park was bought on October 15, 1874. The first building was erected in 1905.
Lincoln Elm Tree Park There are two versions to the story of how this park came into being. The first says that the land was purchased by citizens in 1885 and then deeded to the city as a park. The second says that it was given to the city in the 1880's by John H. Ray who once had a house and barn there. The reason for the use of Elm Tree in the park name is due to the huge Elm tree that used to grow there. It began growing in 1665 and was listed as a Heritage Tree by the Minnesota Horticultural Society. The tree was used as the symbol for the 1976 bicentennial. It died of Dutch Elm disease in 1980.
Sibley Park On October 3 1887, 120 acres of land was purchased for $13,088.00 with money obtained from bonds to create this park. Later, on December 19 1887, the Southern Minnesota Stock and Fairgrounds was also purchased and added to the park. In 1897 railroad tracks were laid across the entrance which proved to be dangerous, so in 1928 a driveway was built under the tracks. A dam was built in 1934 but removed in 1951 for environmental reasons. There used to be a large zoo, but a flood in 1965 destroyed it, killing several animals. The park is also the site of the Ott Cabin. It was moved there in 1931 from its original location in Mankato township. It was built by George Ott around 1858.
Sources:
The Heritage of Blue Earth County Minnesota. Curtis Media
Corporation. Dallas Texas. 1990.