Weracoba Park
| Weracoba Park | |
|---|---|
| Lakebottom Park | |
| Location | Columbus, Georgia |
| Coordinates | 32°28′31″N 84°57′58″W / 32.475148°N 84.966222°W |
| Established | 1890 (Wildwood Park) 1924 (Weracoba Park) |
| Managed by | Columbus Georgia Parks and Recreation Department |
| Open | Year round |
Weracoba Park is a public park in Columbus, Georgia. The park is located in Midtown, Columbus,[1] within the Weracoba-St. Elmo Historic District.[2][3]
History
In 1890, the Columbus Railroad Company first built the park in order to enhance the nearby housing development.[3][4] The park consisted of a man-made lake containing four islands adorned with picnic shelters surrounded by grassy fields. The railroad company made the lake by damming Weracoba creek.[2] The islands were connected back to shore by way of tall "Japanese-like" bridges adorned with small electric lights.[4] A dance pavilion was also constructed and hosted local bands and orchestras.[4] The park was initially called "Wildwood Park" but was renamed to "Weracoba Park" after the land was purchased by the city government in 1924.[3][5][4] The Muscogee word "Weracoba" translates to "Big Water".[6] As a result of the purchase,16 acres of the park was separated in order to construct Columbus High School.[3][5][7] In 1926, the park's lake was drained, giving the park the nickname "Lakebottom."[5][1][4] The park has been renovated many times since its purchase.[5]
Amenities
The park includes amenities such as Tennis Courts, a Baseball Field, a Soccer Field, a Playground, Walking Trails, and Basketball Courts.[1][8][9]
References
- ^ a b c "Lakebottom Park/ Weracoba Park". Visit Columbus, GA. Retrieved 2025-04-03.
- ^ a b "NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES REGISTRATION FORM - WERACOBA/ST. ELMO HISTORIC DISTRICT". npgallery.nps.gov. Retrieved 2025-04-03.
- ^ a b c d "Weracoba-St. Elmo Historic District". midtowncolumbusga.org. Retrieved 2025-04-03.
- ^ a b c d e Columbus, Historic (2020-09-03). "History Spotlight: Six Weeks of Wynnton (Weracoba - St. Elmo)". historiccolumbus. Retrieved 2025-04-03.
- ^ a b c d Aschenbach, Sherry (2020-05-26). "This Place Matters: Weracoba Park". historiccolumbus. Retrieved 2025-04-03.
- ^ Krakow, Kenneth (1975). Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins (PDF). Macon, GA: Winship Press. p. 250. ISBN 0-915430-00-2.
- ^ "Our History". columbushighga.org. Archived from the original on 2017-07-31. Retrieved 2025-04-03.
- ^ "Lakebottom & Weracoba Park". parks.columbusga.gov. Retrieved 2025-04-03.
- ^ "Lakebottom & Weracoba Park". Discover Georgia Outdoors. Retrieved 2025-04-03.