Shady Park is located in the historic Hannibal Square in Winter Park. Hannibal Square was founded in 1881 as the African-American part of Winter Park. The residents provided the labor that built the town of Winter Park and they worked as domestic servants for wealthy families. The railroad tracks provided the dividing line in the town with whites living on the east side of the tracks and blacks on the west side. You can learn more about the history of this area at the Hannibal Square Heritage Center located across the street from the park.
Shady Park is located next to a community center. There is a paved walkway, benches, and a gazebo. There is also a splash pad for kids to have wet fun.
My favorite part of the park is Molecular dog. The sculpture was created by Miami artist Robert Chambers. Molecular dog is a five foot tall, eight foot long bronze sculpture of a dog. At first glance it looks like a blow up balloon sculpture but on closer examination it is the three molecule structure for propane. Chambers created the art work to highlight the qualities of propane that make it more environmentally friendly than gasoline. Liquefied petroleum gas is cleaner and cheaper than gasoline. It is also colorless and odorless.
I really enjoyed learning about the history of this place and seeing the art sculpture. Although not as well known or trafficked as Central Park, Winter Park's larger and more well known park, this small park has it's charm. read more