Monroe Park
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Monroe Park is a 7.5 acre (30,000 m²) landscaped park that is located 1 mile (1.6 km) northwest of the Virginia State Capitol Building in downtown Richmond, Virginia. It is named after James Monroe, the fifth President of the United States (1817 - 1825).
The park unofficially demarcates the eastern "point" of the fan district.
Monroe park is pentagonal in shape, with an arrangement of paved paths among lawns and mature deciduous trees, intersecting at a fountain in the center of the area.
History
- Purchased by the City of Richmond in 1851.
- The land was first used as the State Agricultural Fair Grounds in the mid-19th century.
- During the Civil War the area was used as a camp ground.
- A central fountain was added in the 1870's.
- Has become the center of the Virginia Commonwealth University Monroe Park campus.
- 2005: Monroe Park is enabled with wi-fi technology for public use.
Flora and Fauna
- Monroe Park is home to many very tame squirrels.
- Pigeons are also abundant at certain times, along with any number of wild birds, particularly in the Spring.
- The park is home to many trees: some very old and large, such as Magnolias and Oaks, that have existed for decades, if not possibly centuries.
Problems
- Homeless people tend to congregate and sleep in Monroe Park. This is due in part to the proximity of the park to various churches and feeding programs in that area. Another commonly thought reason is that lack of political clout of VCU students leads to reduced enforcement of loitering laws in the park compared to more residential areas where more enfranchised voters may more vociferously and effectively complain. As of now, artificial lighting of the park is relatively poor, and several reports of robberies involving students in Monroe Park have left many newcomers aware that entering the park late at night, particularly alone, is not considered safe.
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