Gene C. Reid Park is a 131-acre urban park in central Tucson, Arizona that includes a 9,500-seat baseball stadium, an outdoor performance center, two man-made ponds, public pools, and a 24-acre zoo along with playgrounds, gardens and picnic areas. The park occupies the western third of a 480-acre parks and recreation complex established in 1925 as Randolph Park which additionally includes two 18-hole golf courses, a tennis and racquetball facility, and an indoor recreation center. A 2-mile loop of paved multi-use trails follows the edge of the park, connecting with another 2.5 miles around the Randolph golf and recreation centers.
37-583: In 1925, the City of Tucson obtained a 480-acre parcel of land from the State of Arizona to create a park and golf course. The land was either purchased directly by the city fathers or was bought by Willis E. and Laura Barnum and turned over to city officials. The L-shaped park, which is one mile in width and length with a half-mile-square neighborhood in its northwest corner, was named for prominent railroad executive and Tucson citizen Epes Randolph , who died in 1921. In 1978
74-524: A Kadosh ceremony in Arizona. On Thursday, August 25, every business, store, and county office in Tucson closed at 4 pm. The Masonic temple was filled to capacity of 700 people for the 5 o'clock funeral rites. Tucson police had additional traffic officers on duty as a crowd of over 1000 gathered outside. Over 100 mourners, including the Arizona state Governor Thomas E. Campbell , state officials, Phoenix members of
111-532: A civic leader who was connected with the park. The Adaptive Recreation Center has two swimming pools . One is a shaded outdoor recreation pool used for fitness classes, lap swim, and open swim. The pool includes a walking channel, play features, and a zero-depth entry . The other is an indoor warm-water therapy pool. Also called the Reid Park Annex, the Emil Bossard Annex Fields are named after
148-596: A dancer, an actor with a comedy mask, an actor with a tragedy mask, a singer, a guitarist, and a wind musician. Catalogued in the Smithsonian Art Inventory, the work was the first Percent for the Arts commission in the City of Tucson. Founded in 1965 with the donation of a pair of peacocks, Reid Park Zoo has grown into a 24-acre city-owned non-profit zoo accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums . Located in
185-665: A double track railway, highway, and foot traffic bridge across the Ohio River , connecting Covington, Kentucky , with Cincinnati, Ohio . In 1890 Randolph became chief engineer and superintendent of the Newport News & Mississippi Valley Co. , the Ohio & Big Sandy Railroad Co. and the Kentucky & S. Atlantic Railroads. During this time he acquired the reputation of being an effective and efficient railroad head. From 1891 to 1894 Randolph
222-431: A large gazebo at the garden's center. In 2019 the garden was named for Tucson business owner and philanthropist Cele Peterson. Named after a Tucson Police Department police dog that lost its life in the line of duty, Miko's Corner Playground is a lighted, two-acre, off-leash dog park with separate areas for large and small dogs. The park features two man-made ponds, home to a variety of bird species. The north pond,
259-605: A longtime groundskeeper for the Cleveland Indians who retired to Tucson to become groundskeeper for Hi Corbett and the Annex. The park's twelve horseshoe pits , home to the Tucson Horseshoe Pitchers' Club, are located on Lakeshore Way at 22nd Street, just south of the zoo. Although the recreation center, tennis center, and golf complex are not officially part of Reid Park, the full complex of facilities located on what
296-729: A member of the University of Arizona Board of Regents in 1916, and was president of the Board of Regents and chairman of the executive committee at the time of his death. After many years of suffering from tuberculosis, Epes Randolph suffered a series of severe pulmonary hemorrhages in January 1921. Randolph spent February 1921 recuperating in Empalme, Sonora , returning to Tucson in early March. In June Randolph vacationed in California for five weeks, where he
333-576: A pro shop. It was honored as the "Outstanding Facility of the Year" in 1993 by the United States Tennis Association . Epes Randolph Epes Randolph (August 16, 1856 – August 22, 1921) was an American civil engineer and businessman who constructed railroads in America's South , Ohio , Arizona , California , and Mexico . From 1905 to 1907 he led the successful effort to restore
370-528: A resolution in honor of Epes Randolph in special session. The Kiwanis Club eulogized Randolph and held a moment of silence. Randolph's body was laid in state at the Scottish Masonic temple. The casket was completely hidden behind floral arrangements that stretched across the rostrum from wall to wall. On Wednesday, August 24, the flag was lowered to half mast on the Arizona State Capitol for
407-484: A resolution in honor of Randolph. University of Arizona president Dr. von KleinSmid wrote a tribute for Randolph on behalf of the officials and faculty of the University of Arizona. That night a Knights Templar service was held at 8 pm, followed by a Kadosh ceremony at midnight. Reported as "extremely brilliant and beautiful" and "performed only upon rarest occasions," Randolph was the first person to be honored with
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#1732855438427444-436: Is 7,000. Reid constructed a bandshell at the site in 1964 to give conductor Georges DeMeester's "Pops" orchestra a permanent home, using surplus corrugated steel from Davis Monthan Air Force Base . The amphitheater was created using dirt from University of Arizona basement excavations. In 1974 the City replaced the original bandshell with the current stage. The performance center was named for DeMeester in 1987. In 1997,
481-488: Is a human-powered watercraft propelled by the action of pedals turning a paddle wheel . A pedalo is a human-powered watercraft propelled by the turning of a paddle wheel . The wheel is turned by people operating the pedals of the craft. The paddle wheel of a pedalo is a smaller version of that used by a paddle steamer . Pedalos, being particularly suited to calm waters, are often hired out for use on ponds and small lakes in urban parks , as well as in beaches when
518-543: Is located on the west side of Alvernon centered between Broadway and 22nd Street. The facility is equipped with a skate park, a pool, courts configurable for either basketball or volleyball, a weight room, an auditorium, and dedicated classrooms for aerobics, dance, gymnastics, pottery, jewelry-making, and photography. The Jim Reffkin Tennis Center, located in the northeast corner of the original Randolph Park, has 25 lighted tennis courts, 10 lighted racquetball Courts, and
555-709: The Maricopa, Phoenix & Salt River Valley Railroad Co. In June 1909 he became the general manager of the Cananea, Yaqui River & Pacific R.R. Co. in Mexico. All three railroads were owned by E. H. Harriman . In 1905 Harriman, president of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company , asked Randolph to lead the task of closing a breach in the Colorado River. Randolph did so while bedridden in his private railway car
592-687: The Chesapeake, Ohio & Southwestern , and the Kentucky Central . From 1885 to 1890 Randolph was chief engineer of the Kentucky Central R.R., headquartered in Covington, Kentucky . He was also chief engineer of Cincinnati Elevated Railway, Transfer & Bridge Company. Both companies were owned by Collis P. Huntington . From 1886 to 1889 Randolph oversaw the construction of the C&O Railroad Bridge ,
629-642: The Colorado River to its banks after irrigation canal construction and flooding diverted it from the Gulf of California and into California's Imperial Valley , creating the Salton Sea . Randolph spent his later life in Tucson, Arizona , where he served as president of several railroads, as vice-president of Tucson's Consolidated National Bank , and as chancellor of the University of Arizona Board of Regents . Randolph
666-541: The University of Arizona Wildcats in 2012. In their first season at Hi Corbett, the Wildcats won the 2012 College World Series . Located on the park's west side, the DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center or OPC is a large grass amphitheater around a covered stage with integrated lighting and sound. Host to open-air concerts , festivals, theater productions, and movie screenings, its official capacity
703-483: The "Pocahontas". After two years and thousands of tons of rock being poured in the breach was closed on February 10, 1907. In 1911 Randolph became president of the Southern Pacific Railroad of Mexico and Arizona Eastern Railway . He held these positions until his death in 1921. In 1904 Randolph and Levi Manning , Tucson's mayor from 1905–1907, partnered to build the upscale Santa Rita Hotel , said at
740-570: The Masons, and businessmen traveled by train from Phoenix to Tucson for the funeral. At 5 PM, all trains and every wheel in the shops of the Southern Pacific, Arizona Eastern and Southern Pacific of Mexico railroads stopped for one minute to mark his death. After the ceremony at the Masonic Temple, the funeral procession traveled to Evergreen Cemetery for interment. The funeral procession crossed
777-599: The day upon news of his death. All trains and depots of the Arizona Eastern, Southern Pacific, and the Southern Pacific de Mexico railroad were draped in mourning until after the funeral. The executive board of the Retail Merchant's Association and the board of directors of the Chamber of Commerce passed resolutions requesting all members to close at 4 PM the following day. The Board of Supervisors of Pima County passed
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#1732855438427814-428: The larger of the two with an area of 2.2 acres, was used for paddle-boating until 1998, when both ponds were dredged and island features were removed. Water pumped to the top of a hill between the lakes feeds two man-made streams: one returns to the north pond via a series of waterfalls; the other winds its way down to the south pond before continuing on to the north. In 1993 the hill was named for Willis E. Barnum Sr.,
851-749: The railroad tracks to the cemetery and a train was stopped as the funeral procession passed. Another Masonic ceremony, longer than the 5 o'clock ceremony, was held at the grave site. In 1908 The village of Randolph, California , was founded just south of Brea Canyon. The Epes Randolph Lodge No. 32 of Free & Accepted Masons was chartered on February 14, 1923, in Tucson, Arizona. Randolph Street in Brea, California , Randolph Street in Huntington Park, California , and Randolph Way in Tucson, Arizona, are named for him. Randolph, Arizona , located in Pinal County
888-552: The site in 1937 was later named for Hiram Corbett, who worked with Cleveland Indians owner Bill Veeck to bring the Indians to Tucson for spring training . The Indians used Hi Corbett Field from 1945 until 1992. From 1969 until 1997, the stadium was also used by the Triple-A Tucson Toros . In 1993 the expansion Colorado Rockies began using the stadium for spring training, staying through 2010. The stadium became home to
925-529: The southeast corner of the park, it features more than 100 species and 500 animals. The zoo most recently expanded in 2012 with the addition of a 7-acre African elephant exhibit. Its breeding herd, on loan from the San Diego Zoo Safari Park , includes the first African elephant born in the state of Arizona. The Reid Park Rose Garden, created in 1960, exhibits more than 100 cultivars of rose and 800 individual plants. Planting beds radiate out from
962-561: The street leading to it was named for Charles "Bucky" Steele, who conducted the Pops Orchestra for nearly twenty-five years after DeMeester's retirement. The Tucson Pops Music Under the Stars concert series continues to be held at DeMeester Center each spring. A cast-concrete sculpture panel entitled "Celebrate The Arts" was added to the stage enclosure in 1986. The 8'-by-16' panel by Carole Hanson and Guillermo Esparza depicts six performers:
999-701: The time to be the most modern hotel in the Southwest. Randolph occupied a suite at the Santa Rita at the time of his death. Randolph was president of the California Development Company , a project to irrigate desert land in eastern California. Epes Randolph was a life member of the Elks lodge, an honorary 33d degree Mason, and president of the Old Pueblo Club at the time of his death. Epes Randolph became
1036-417: The weather allows. The earliest record of a pedalo is perhaps Leonardo da Vinci 's diagram of a craft driven by two pedals. Typically, a two-seat pedalo has two sets of pedals side-by-side, designed to be used together. Some models, however, have three pedals on each side, to allow a person boating alone to pedal from a centrally seated position. This article about a specific civilian ship or boat
1073-690: The western third of Randolph Park was renamed for the City of Tucson’s first parks director, Gene C. Reid, upon his retirement. In over thirty years as director Reid expanded Tucson's park system from 8 to 84 parks and made significant additions to Randolf. Reid oversaw the addition of the DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center, the zoo, the expansion and renovation of Randolf Golf Course, and the excavation of two lakes which doubled as irrigation reservoirs. The zoo and lakes also bear Reid's name. The recreation center and golf complex remain named after Randolph. Randolph Municipal Baseball Park opened in 1928 near Randolph Park's center. A baseball stadium constructed at
1110-665: Was born in Lunenburg County, Virginia . His parents were also natives of Virginia , his father, William Eston Randolph, having been born in Clarke County , and his mother, Sarah Lavinia Epes, in Lunenburg County. Between the years 1876 and 1885, Epes Randolph worked for several railroads performing location, construction, and maintenance. Railroads he worked for included the Alabama Great Southern Railroad ,
1147-601: Was chief engineer and general superintendent of the Chesapeake, Ohio & Southwestern Railroad . In 1894 he developed tuberculosis . He resigned, moved west and for a year worked as a consulting engineer to several railroads while recuperating. He first lived in Indio, California , before moving to Tucson, Arizona , in August 1895 when he became the superintendent for the Southern Pacific Railroad lines from El Paso to Los Angeles. Randolph held this position until 1901. Concurrently he
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1184-563: Was examined and his health appeared to mostly return. He returned to Tucson on August 12. On Monday, August 22, 1921, Epes Randolph worked a full day at the executive offices of the Arizona Eastern Railroad. Feeling "unusually strong and well" Randolph took a short automobile ride with his wife after work. They had supper at the Santa Rita Hotel and retired to their suite. Instead of turning to bed early as he normally did, he
1221-424: Was founded in the early 1920s. Randolph Park , A 480-acre park in central Tucson created four years after Randolph's death was named in his honor. A bust, accompanied by four plaques detailing his life's work, is located near the park's center, at Camino Campestre and Randolph Way. Pedalo A pedalo (British English), pedal boat (U.S. English), or paddle boat (U.S., Canadian, and Australian English)
1258-600: Was front-page news with photographs in the morning Arizona Daily Star , the evening Tucson Citizen , and the Arizona Gazette of Phoenix. The three office buildings of the Southern Pacific, the Eastern Arizona Railroad, and the Southern Pacific de Mexico in Tucson were closed and draped with black crepe in mourning. The offices remained closed until Friday. That afternoon the Tucson City Council passed
1295-744: Was manager of the Los Angeles Railway & the Pacific Electric Railway . 700 miles of electric lines were built and operating. Randolph served as president of the Los Angeles Railway and the Pacific Electric Railway from 1901 to 1904. He then assumed the role of vice president and general manager. From 1904 to 1909 Randolph served as vice president and general manager of the Gila Valley, Globe and Northern Railway and
1332-520: Was originally Randolph Park is often referred to as a whole using either the Reid or Randolph name. The first golf course in Randolph Park was built in 1925. Now administered by Tucson City Golf, Randolph has two 18-hole golf courses, a driving range, a pro shop, and a clubhouse. In 1996 what until that time was known as Randolph South was rebuilt and named Dell Urich Golf Course. Randolph Recreation Center
1369-442: Was reading a newspaper when he suffered a pulmonary hemorrhage seizure shortly after 10 pm. Randolph's wife called a doctor to attend him, and though he partially recovered for a few minutes, he was unable to speak and died shortly thereafter. He was sixty five years old. Reaction to Randolph's death was swift and extensive. Though in poor health, Randolph's death was unexpected and met with shock. On Tuesday, August 23, his death
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