Alameda Park, one of Santa Barbara's oldest, spreads in front of you beside Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardens. This two-block park, one of the city's oldest, was set aside by municipal ordinance on April 29, 1853 as Plaza Alameda, originally comprising blocks 88 and 89 between East Sola and East Victoria Streets, adjacent to the southeast of the park's present location. A 1853 map by civil engineer Vitus Wackenreuder labels six blocks as Garden de Alameda, also including blocks 58 and 59 between East Micheltorena and East Arrellaga Streets—block 58 is the present-day site of Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardens.
Later, on March 15, 1868 an ordinance stated blocks 73 and 74 should compose Plaza Alameda; in April of that year block 88 was sold to Antonio Arrellanes. Today you can still enjoy the park's gazebo, the 8,000-square-foot (740 m2) Kids World playground, and many rare trees. Imagine the municipal plans and maps that shaped these blocks, and how this green place has hosted citywide celebrations including Summer Solstice.
Listen for children at Kids World, where the lawn stretches to the gazebo and its rare trees.