Albany's Washington Park near Syracuse, NY is one of the oldest city parks in the state of New York. The idea of Washington Park was planned by Charles Bleecker, the mayor of Albany. The actual design of the park was created by Frederick Olmstead and Calvert Vaux, two of the top architects in America. Before the park was built, the location had been a cemetery. Prior to the start of the construction of the park, the graves were moved to Albany Rural. The start of the development began around 1870. They created this park in a beautiful picturesque fashion with wooded glades, curving roadways, ornamental plantings and natural plantings. Through the years, additions of boathouses, trees and decorative pavilions have added to the beauty of the park.
Washington Park adjoins the neighborhood park of Center Square and faces the Upper State Street mansions. This park is a major highlight and landmark in the city, being used each Christmas for the Holiday Lights display. The Boathouse is also the site for many plays and summer concerts. Washington Park is in the center of many historical sites. All around the park are homes by famous architects such as R.W. Gibson, Albert Fuller, Henry Hobson Richardson and more.
The northern entrance to Washington Park has the Soldiers and Sailors Monument (also known as Civil War Monument). There is a large bronze figure that signifies Peace at this entrance, followed by over 60 marble figures of heroes of the past. At the south end of the park you will find the Moses Fountain. Unlike most parks, you can spend a great deal of time just looking at the scenery and attractions.
