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183:. The park was established in the 1930s by Dr. George A. Allen and his wife, Ruth Larsen Allen, as a bird sanctuary. The couple purchased the land and constructed small houses and log cabins on the property, creating a quiet environment. Contrary to local legends suggesting the area was designed for hobbits or little people, the homes were actually one- and two-bedroom apartments intended for professors, students, artists, and even patients attended to by Dr. Allen.
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167:. The park was developed in the 1930s by Dr. George A. Allen as a bird sanctuary and later became the subject of local folklore, with myths suggesting it was inhabited by small, secretive people. Despite these stories, the park was primarily a residential area and has since been preserved as a public space following its purchase by Salt Lake City in 2020.
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In 2023, Salt Lake City Public Lands released an adaptive reuse and management plan for Allen Park, outlining the preservation of historical elements and the introduction of new educational opportunities. The plan emphasizes the park's role as a community asset, balancing ecological, historical, and
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The urban legend of "Hobbitville" developed over time, with stories claiming that the park was home to small, secretive people who would chase away intruders. These tales, largely fueled by the park's private nature and secluded environment, likely originated from the small size of the buildings on
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Following Dr. Allen's death in the 1960s, the park began to fall into disrepair, leading to concerns about its future. In 2020, Salt Lake City purchased Allen Park for $ 7.5 million, ensuring its preservation as a public space. The park was opened to the public in
October 2020, and ongoing
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The park remains a prominent part of Salt Lake City's heritage, with restoration plans shaped by community input. Future developments aim to balance the park's historical significance with modern needs, ensuring it remains a quiet and accessible space for future generations.
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the property. The unique atmosphere, enhanced by the artwork and architecture, contributed to the spread of these myths. Despite these stories, there is no evidence to support the existence of such "small people," and the legend remains a part of local folklore.
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The park includes handcrafted stone light posts and mosaics with sayings such as "The night has a thousand eyes" and "List to nature's teachings." These features, along with the park's natural setting, contribute to its reputation as a secluded and quiet area.
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198:. His interest in birds and wildlife is reflected in Allen Park, which became a sanctuary for various species, including the peacocks that continue to inhabit the area.
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artistic needs. The city has also encouraged public input to help shape the park's future, ensuring it remains a valuable resource for the community.
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restoration efforts aim to maintain its character while making it accessible to the community.
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Dr. Allen also contributed to Salt Lake City through his role in founding the
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333:"Hobbitville: Allen Park's Journey From Urban Legend to City Park"
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463:"Fact or fiction? Exploring the rumors and myths of Hobbitville"
359:"Fact or fiction? Exploring the rumors and myths of Hobbitville"
159:, commonly known as "Hobbitville," is an eight-acre property in
411:"What Salt Lake City's Historic Hobbitville May Soon Look Like"
282:"Allen Park 'Hobbitville': A Peaceful And Historic Respite"
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385:"Salt Lake City's 'Hobbitville' is now open to the public"
308:"Salt Lake City's 'Hobbitville' is now open to the public"
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Sculpture gardens, trails and parks in the United States
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McKenzie
Stauffer, Alyssa Roberts (October 4, 2020).
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Stauffer, Alyssa Roberts (October 4, 2020).
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131:Salt Lake City Parks and Public Lands
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628:This Is the Place Heritage Park
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194:and his involvement with the
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435:Derick Fox (June 15, 2023).
253:"4 places of legend in Utah"
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286:The Daily Utah Chronicle
100:40.7300629; -111.8534557
659:Protected areas of Utah
654:Parks in Salt Lake City
588:Gilgal Sculpture Garden
553:Parks in Salt Lake City
518:Gilgal Sculpture Garden
211:Legacy and preservation
149:slc.gov/parks/allenpark
669:Historic sites in Utah
633:Washington Square Park
16:Park in Salt Lake City
583:First Encampment Park
598:Jordan River Parkway
59:1328 Allen Park Dr,
224:Recent developments
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494:September 1,
492:. Retrieved
488:"Allen Park"
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593:Jordan Park
578:Ensign Peak
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86:111°51′12″W
73:Coordinates
648:Categories
563:Allen Park
233:References
157:Allen Park
83:40°43′48″N
22:Allen Park
467:KSLTV.com
363:KSLTV.com
196:Hogle Zoo
507:See also
202:Folklore
56:Location
415:KSL.com
257:KSL.com
171:History
145:Website
119:Created
114:8 acres
137:Status
122:1930s
496:2024
474:2024
448:2024
441:ABC4
422:2024
396:2024
389:KUTV
370:2024
344:2024
319:2024
312:KUTV
293:2024
264:2024
181:Utah
165:Utah
111:Area
65:Utah
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Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
