Nielsen's Grove Park - Orem Utah
Parks in Orem UT
Nielsen's Grove is thought to be the first official park in the State of Utah. This park, begun in 1880 by Danish immigrant Jorgen Nielson, plays a role in Orem City from its earliest beginnings to the present day. In 2003, the park was added to Orem's official green space when it was brought back to its former glory. The park contains a water fountain, a reflecting pool, a rebuilt carousel swing, picnic pavilions, walking pathways, a playground, parterre gardens, and a natural pond populated with ducks.
Orem Nielsen's Grove Park
Nielsen's Grove Park - Play Field - Orem Utah
Nielsen's Grove Park
1931 S. Sandhill Rd
Orem, UT 84058
1931 S. Sandhill Rd
Orem, UT 84058
- Acres . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21.4
- Playground . . . . . . . . . Yes
- Soccer Fields . . . . . . . No
- Basketball Court . . . . . No
- Baseball Diamond . .. . No
- Tennis Courts . . . . . . . No
- Volleyball Courts . . . . No
- Horseshoe Pits . . . . . . No
- Restrooms . . . . . . . . . Yes
- Historic Structures . . Yes
- Gardens . . . . . . . . . . . . Yes
- Pond . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Yes
- Walking Path . . . . . (2) mile loop
- Date Opened . . . . . Summer 2005
Reserve an Orem Park Pavilion On-line or call (801) 229-7154
- Pavilion 1 . . . . . . . . . . Up to 120 People; Uncovered - BBQ Braziers
- Picnic Areas . . . . . . . . 11 Pavilions - Electrical Outlets
- $75 on Weekdays
- $100 on Weekends
History of Nielsen's Grove Park
Nielsen's Grove Park - Historic Swing - Orem Utah
Nielsen's Grove Park History
When King Fredrick IV of Denmark built his castle in Odense in 1730, he oversaw the creation of a castle garden known as "Kongens Have," or literally "The King's Garden." Jorgen's Uncle was a gardener in the castle garden, and as a youth Jorgen would often visit the gardens.
When King Fredrick IV of Denmark built his castle in Odense in 1730, he oversaw the creation of a castle garden known as "Kongens Have," or literally "The King's Garden." Jorgen's Uncle was a gardener in the castle garden, and as a youth Jorgen would often visit the gardens.
Nielsen's Grove Swing
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While traveling to Utah, Jorgen dreamed of using a few of the millions of acres of untouched, western land, to build a garden of his own.
This dream was fulfilled with the creation of Nielsen's Grove, originally known as Lakeview Gardens. "Here on Sandhill Road, Jorgen dreamed and worked to convert this wasteland not into a farm, but into a garden of beauty," wrote Christian Jeppesen, Jr. in his history of the Lakeview Ward. Nielson's Grove has a widely varied history, beginning with Jorgen and continuing through the present day. In the early 1880s, once Jorgen began fulfilling his dream, the work progresses quickly. Determinedly, Nielson cleared his 40-acre plot of the sagebrush, rabbit brush, and Cedar trees before devoting himself to building his dream garden. |
European Designed Gardens
Nielsen's Grove Park - European Gardens - Orem Utah
Design Elements from Europe
Jorgen designed his garden using elements from the design at Kongens Have. The centerpiece of the garden was a fountain powered by a natural spring. Four white marble statues decorated the fountain. A vagrant who stopped to beg for food reportedly noticed the marble and offered to carve the figures. Three of the statues are currently housed at the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers museum in Provo, while the location of the fourth is unknown.
In addition to the fountain, the park also contained a reflecting pool, a covered dance floor, a steam-heated greenhouse, vine-covered arbors, and a 12-seater carousel swing. Excursionist came from all over the valley and Salt Lake to picnic in the popular park. Nielsen's Grove remained a tourist destination until 1910 when drainage from the benches above turned it into a swamp. The area was later abandoned and used as wheat fields during WWI.
Jorgen designed his garden using elements from the design at Kongens Have. The centerpiece of the garden was a fountain powered by a natural spring. Four white marble statues decorated the fountain. A vagrant who stopped to beg for food reportedly noticed the marble and offered to carve the figures. Three of the statues are currently housed at the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers museum in Provo, while the location of the fourth is unknown.
In addition to the fountain, the park also contained a reflecting pool, a covered dance floor, a steam-heated greenhouse, vine-covered arbors, and a 12-seater carousel swing. Excursionist came from all over the valley and Salt Lake to picnic in the popular park. Nielsen's Grove remained a tourist destination until 1910 when drainage from the benches above turned it into a swamp. The area was later abandoned and used as wheat fields during WWI.
Orem Purchases Land for City Park
Nielsen's Grove Park - Barn - Orem Utah
Nielsen's Grove Park
In 1995 Orem city purchased the property where Nielson's Grove had been located, hoping to recreate the historical park. Headed by the Orem City Historic Preservation Committee, many people did research and worked to return the park to its former glory. Only a short distance away from the busy freeway, the $2.8 Million Nielsen's Grove now stands as a 22-acre haven from the world. Quiet couples walk arm-in-arm across the grass. Children play energetically on the six-seater carousel swings, while ducks meander happily on the natural pond. "This is not the kind of park for soccer, but it's very popular for picnics with families and for youth activities and ward activities," Orem City Manager Jim Reams said. "It's a flower park. Go in April; the city has 24,000 tulip bulbs planted." BYU Daily Universe
In 1995 Orem city purchased the property where Nielson's Grove had been located, hoping to recreate the historical park. Headed by the Orem City Historic Preservation Committee, many people did research and worked to return the park to its former glory. Only a short distance away from the busy freeway, the $2.8 Million Nielsen's Grove now stands as a 22-acre haven from the world. Quiet couples walk arm-in-arm across the grass. Children play energetically on the six-seater carousel swings, while ducks meander happily on the natural pond. "This is not the kind of park for soccer, but it's very popular for picnics with families and for youth activities and ward activities," Orem City Manager Jim Reams said. "It's a flower park. Go in April; the city has 24,000 tulip bulbs planted." BYU Daily Universe
Nielson's Grove Park - Google Earth View - Orem Utah
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