Lindsey Gardens - First Playground

Utah's first playground was one family's backyard, opened to all. Mark and Bithiah Lindsey, handcart pioneers, homesteaded this ground in 1865 and turned it into a wonderland: swings and greasy poles, giant strides and whirligigs, a dance hall, a museum, croquet and baseball grounds, a spring-fed bathhouse, and lunch arbors under the trees. For a dime — a nickel for children — a family could spend the day, buying homemade ice cream and cake. Long before Lagoon or Saltair, the Lindsey Gardens were where Salt Lake came to play.

What the plaque says

This marker stands 90 ft. north of the gate to Lindsey's Gardens. First playground in Utah. In 1865 Mark Lindsey and wife Bithiah Savill Lindsey, handcart pioneers of 1859, homesteaded a quarter-section; built a home, dance hall, museum, lunch arbors, a bathhouse fed from a spring in the ravine, planted gardens, made swings, giant strides, whirleygigs, greasy poles, croquet and baseball grounds, sold soft drinks, homemade ice cream and cake. Admission adults 10c, children 5c. Camp 27 - Camp 21 - Camp 20 - Camp Ensign

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Ensign Peak — 1.3 mi
  A short hike to the spot where Brigham Young surveyed the valley
• Salt Lake City — 1.4 mi
  Utah's capital and largest city — where the Wasatch Range meets the Great Salt Lake.
• Temple Square — 1.5 mi
  The spiritual and architectural heart of Salt Lake City
• Red Butte Garden — 2.2 mi
  A 100-acre botanical garden with panoramic valley views

More markers nearby

• G.A.R. Monument — 0.3 mi
• Japanese American Servicemen's Memorial — 0.3 mi
• Salt Lake City Cemetery Gold Star Mothers Memorial — 0.5 mi
• Ladies' Literary Club Building — 0.7 mi