Way back in 1885 the city St. Paul designated Central Park as a fine new amenity for what was intended to be an upscale and upstanding neighborhood, growing like moss, just north of the downtown. A few well-to-do families owned a little land on the south side of University Avenue, between Cedar and Robert Streets.
During one of St. Paul’s growth spurts in the 1880s, a variety of inexpensive development and unbecoming building began to move north toward the a clutter of mansions and fine homes near the capitol. In the hope of creating a bit of a barrier between their neighborhood and the new sprawling business district, the area was re-platted, a new park, adorned with trees and shrubs, curving sidewalks, benches, and a fountain was created. Central Park’s location gave it an instant predominance and panache.
The popular park played host to the St. Paul Winter Carnival’s first three Ice Castles. During the Gay 90’s imposing mansions and well appointed, brownstone apartments sprang up and encircled the lovely green space. The neighborhood began changing again in the early years of the last century. In 1909, St. Paul’s Mechanic Arts High School went up on a piece of land just north of the park. A few year later, the Minnesota Bakery Company was built on the south end.
The neighborhood lost prestige and many of the area’s older homes were converted into rooming houses and apartments. The city re-graded the middle of the park in 1929. A playground replaced the fountain and a wading pool was proposed. During the Dirty 30’s Central Park was used as a neighborhood playground and hang out for Mechanic Arts High School students.
In 1956 the land was cleared for an office building and the city re-platted Central Park as part of the Capitol complex. A thousand-car parking ramp, to the east of the office building opened in 1974. A plaque on the ramp fittingly bears the words: Central Park.