Deering Oaks Park , Portland , ME
“ Designed in 1879 , just before Thomas Edison ’ s invention of the incandescent light bulb , Deering Oaks was apparently not lit at night for almost a century . This is in keeping with designer City Engineer William Goodwin ’ s intent that Deering Oaks be enjoyed as a natural place , a “ public breathing space ”, not a formal park . In fact , Goodwin stated in his 1881 Report , “ The place can probably never become a park with expensive park-like structures and accessories , but will always be “ the Oaks ” whatever may be done in or about it .”
“ But become a park it did , as the City grew and changed - and Deering Oaks changed in response . A bandstand was built in 1883 . The Victorian duck house was built in 1887 and a fountain was also installed . The Castle was built in 1894 as a warming hut for skaters . A small playground was created in 1902 . The public ’ s use of the Oaks grew steadily and civic improvements continued .”
Taken from www . DeearingOaks . org
Boston Society of Landscape Architects Fieldbook
47