Alexander Park
Take a dip and cool off at Alexander Park Pool and then when you are ready have a picnic in the park and rocket down the slide and fly through the air on a swing. Do you enjoy a friendly “pick up” game of basketball or volleyball, tennis, roller hockey or horseshoes? Do you enjoy fishing with the grandchildren or sitting under the tree reading your favorite book? Then you’ll want to visit the Princeton Park District Alexander Park. Alexander Park is a 12-acre park that adheres to the Park Districts Bureau County Metro Center Building.
The Princeton Park District works to maintain beautiful Alexander Park and Alexander Park Swimming Pool. Adjacent to The Bureau County Metro Center includes a shaded & separate wading pool. A park shelter, playground, an all Sport Court allow citizens a place to rest, relax and reflect.
Alexander Park Pool Hours:
Monday-Friday 12:00-6:00 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday 12:00-4:00 p.m.
Park Features
Public Pool
Fishing
BBQ Areas
Playground
Horseshoes
Picnic Areas
Shelters
Restrooms
Tennis Courts
Basketball Hoops
Sand Volleyball
Disc Golf
Directions
Park Photos
Park History
Alexander Park dates back to 1922. Alexander Park was a privately owned area and was built by Alex Anderson and his two sons, Lester and Robert. At the time, it was the first outdoor pool with re-circulating water system in this part of the country, perhaps in the state of Illinois. Mr. Alexander will long be remembered by Bureau County Residents. The pool was managed by Robert Anderson, son of Alexander. In 1937 management was taken over by William (Bill) Howard. In 1951, Robert Anderson and Bill Howard could see a need for remodeling and expanding the facilities at the pool. Extensive research was done over a 2 year period to build a new pool house.
In the spring of 1953 the Anderson Family generously donated the Alexander Pool with 10.8 acres of park to the Princeton Park District.
In June 1954 the new bathhouse was opened. It was determined that the traffic coming through the entrance at the Park Tavern was hazardous due to all of the children that could be in that area. A black top road was constructed to come into the park from the East and a new road was built from Park Ave. W. fittingly named Anderson St.
In October 1977 a bid was accepted from Chas. H. Eichelkraut & Son of Ottawa, IL to construct the new swimming pool. In June 1978 the current Alexander Pool was opened.