Fox Park is an iconic gathering place in La Porte County. The park is a place for everything from celebrations, events, live performances, to baseball games. The spacious park located across from Clear Lake has been a place to spend a warm summer evening for a long time. In fact, this year marked the 100th anniversary of Fox Park.
Superintendent of City of La Porte Parks and Recreation Department Brian Niksch said, "This is an amazing opportunity to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Fox Park and thank the Fox Family for all of the incredible gifts they have given the City of La Porte."
The park was donated to the City of La Porte by the prestigious Fox Family 100 years ago. The park was originally a meager 15 acres, but over the years the park blossomed into a 170 acre public haven. Since, then the park has been host to a variety of events and memories.
Frequent park visitor Rachel Schroeder said, “The park is so peaceful. It is a nice place to come talk a walk and enjoy nature. There is nothing else like it in La Porte.”
On Wednesday, July 3rd, residents of La Porte County threw a celebration in honor of the beloved historic park. The celebration was rescheduled from the previous weekend due to harsh weather, but the celebration was fantastic nonetheless. Former La Porte Mayor Leigh Morris started the evening off with a special reading of La Porte's 2008 Poet Laureate Yvonne Elshout's poetry. At 7 p.m., the La Porte City Band took to the stage and played patriotic tunes in honor and preparation for the Fourth of July. The band included a special compilation honoring veterans. Next, the La Porte High School Marching Band showed off their talents. Mayor Blair Milo even made an appearence at the event and led the dedication.
At 8 p.m. the park was rededicated. This moving ceremony focused on the park’s contributions to the community and the Fox family’s generosity. Fox Park has brought joy to the area for years, and the community was proud to rededicate the park. At 9 p.m. the evening closed with a dazzling firework show. Colors filled the sky, as families and friends sat on the grass where La Porte residents sat 100 years ago.
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