This is nice historic park located behind the Dayton Library's main Branch. It was initially named Library Park, But the city fathers passed a resolution to rename it Cooper Park.
It is pretty straightforward and more of a plaza than a park. It primarily consist of a square patch of green space, shade trees, a statue of President William McKinley, and a couple of historical markers and other statues.
In 1974, the Montgomery County Historical Society erected a historical marker for the park. In addition to the President William McKinley statue, there is a sculpture dedicated to public servants and another recognizing the services of Ambrose A. Winters on the park's perimeter.
The park is named after Daniel Cooper, who is arguably the father of Dayton. In the late 1800's, Cooper donated the land on which the park sits with the intention of it being " Cooper "to be an open walk forever." an open walk forever."
Cooper Park provides green space for residents in the Cooper Lofts, Ice Avenue Lofts and Cooper Place, as well as visitors to the library. When I was there, I saw some kids playing a football game on the park's green space. The park appears to be well maintained and even though it lacks a restroom facility, I guess if you really had to go, then you could just use the library's restroom.
The park plays host to many of the city's rallies and festivals such as the Walk for Freedom, Party in the Park, and Dayton Pride Parade. There is metered street parking all around the park and is free on weekends and on weekdays after 6PM.
This is a nice park to visit and hangout at if you are in the area or visiting the library. It is definitely not a destination library. It does not have playground equipment, a restroom facility, free parking, walking/jogging trails or other amenities you would find at other parks. It is however, still a nice shaded hangout spot. Even though it is located between 4 main roads, the roads are not as busy as you would expect so the park has a somewhat peaceful feel to it. read more