Palmer Park (Colorado Springs)

The area that is now Palmer Park was once owned by Matt France, the earliest recorded owner. In 1873, France sold his property to Henry Austin who used this property to raise sheep. The general area became known as Austin Bluffs. In 1902, William Jackson Palmer the founder of Colorado Springs, donated the to Colorado Springs for the park. It was one of many parks established due to land donations by Palmer. As reported in The New York Times in 1907, Palmer also provided the land for Monument Valley Park, North Cheyenne Cañon Park, and Dorchester Park. Palmer donated the land for three formal parks in downtown Colorado Springs, including Alamo Square, Acacia Park, and Antlers Park. He improved the roads to the park, Paseo Drive and Palmer Park Boulevard. The area is now a Colorado Springs Regional Park, and the largest park inside of the metro area. ==Description==

The park has a variety of geologic formations, including tall rock spires or hoodoos and steep cliffs, as well as open fields. Scenic overlooks include views of Pikes Peak. Within the park is a geological point of interest, Seven Castles, and a botanical reserve Paseo Drive runs through the park to the horse stables. One of the trails is the Edna Mae Bennet Nature trail, Other noted trails are Templeton Trail and Yucca Flats. The park has a dog park, two baseball/softball fields, a football/soccer field, three volleyball courts, a community playground, horse stables, and several picnic grounds. yucca plants, piñon pine, and Ponderosa pine trees. mule deer, and occasionally bears reside at the park. A bird-watching park, hawks, ravens, towhees, magpies, pygmy nuthatches, and chickadees can be seen from the trails. Minerals found in the park include topaz, jasper, tourmaline, and quartz. ==Notes==