Early on Lincoln Park was a part of Greeley.
Many of the first settlers were from New England. New England towns and cities had a common area or park. The common was in the middle of town.
John Sanborn drew a park in the plan for Greeley. The plan was made in April 1870. The park would be in the center of town. It would be the size of two blocks.
Lincoln Park was 10 acres large.
Trees came from Illinois to be planted in the park. There were two lakes: Luna Lake and Auricular Lake. Mosquitos became a problem in the lakes so later they were both filled in with dirt.
Pioneer Fountain is an old part of the park.
It is built over an artesian well. The well was dug in 1885. Pioneer Fountain was built in 1907. Citizens brought special trinkets to add to the stones from Colorado Springs. There are sea shells from Maine in the fountain. There is also a petrified snake! The fountain cost $500 to build.
In 1906 the first drinking fountain was in the park.
J.M.B. Petrickin donated the fountain. It had room for four people and two horses to drink. You may see this fountain in Centennial Village inside Hanna's Square.
Sometimes people wanted to use part of the park for streets or parking.
The Greeley Tribune has always been in favor of keeping the park. It has written about how the beauty of the park is important to our town.
The park hosts many events.
One of the most popular is the Arts Picnic each July.
The park also is home to Memorial Day and Easter events. Families gather to use the park for reunions, graduations and weddings. People gather in the park to listen to speakers, music, and relax.