The oldest of the city's public parks, dating to 1873, on the south side of downtown. The 1915 sunken gardens with their geometric beds and central fountain are the highlight in summer; the adjacent conservatory under a glass dome holds a year-round tropical collection — orchids, palms, banana trees, koi.
The park also has the small MacAllister Amphitheater (summer performances of Shakespeare in the Park), a swimming pool, and walking trails. Worth combining with a stop at the south-side neighbourhood of Fountain Square for food after.