About Saint Cloud's Barden Park Historic District

The Barden Park Historic District in St Cloud MN is located right next to the St Cloud State University campus area at 720 5th Avenue South, Saint Cloud, Minnesota. Barden Park, the oldest community park in St Cloud, is the gateway to the campus.

In 2005 Barden Park celebrated it's 150th birthday. Barden Park has been widely supported by the St Cloud community, the volunteer commitment from its inception has been great to say the least. There is a granite plaque in the park that still commemorates the volunteers from the St Cloud Reading Room Society, circa 1880, a group of women from some of the original prominent community enthusiasts.

Barden Park was originally know as Central Park. The name was changed in 1938 to honor Charles Barden, an early park director and benefactor to Barden Park. He is quoted by the St Cloud Historical and Neighborhood Preservation Association as saying "Beautify your city as you would your home."

As the years passed the Barden Park area neighborhood grew up and so did the University. In fact St Cloud State University grew so much that through Imminent Domain there was the removal and destruction of many homes directly east of Barden Park. In fact he only home remaining east of the park has been preserved as the St Cloud State University Alumni House.

A community group called NICE, Neighbors Interested in our City's Environment, was formed to stop this from happening to the rest of the neighborhood (there was a plan to construct a 4 lane highway through this area too). This group later became known as the South/Southeast Neighbors Association, and they were successful as there is not a highway through the Barden Park Neighborhood.

In recent years there has been a great resurgence to save the historic homes in St Cloud. The neighborhood's citizens are very active once again in protecting out heritage and historic homes. In 2005 St Cloud was awarded a Preserve America Community award by the First Lady, Laura Bush, and in 2010 St Cloud MN received the This Old House Best Old Neighborhoods Honor too.

SCHNPA, as it is casually nicknamed, the St Cloud Historical and Neighborhood Preservation Association, has played a very large part in the recent revival of historic preservation in St Cloud too.

Barden Park is anchored by an elevated granite band shell festooned with red white and blue bunting. Throughout the spring and summer season there are many activities held at Barden Park. The St Cloud Municipal Band will hold several free concerts at the band stand in Barden Park in upcoming weeks.

Barden Park is a wonderful place to gather, with plenty of picnic benches, a playground for the children, lots of cool shade provided by the majestic oak trees, and a lovely view of some of St Cloud MN's historic homes.