The History Hidden Inside Grand Junction’s Most Famous Park

Summertime means families are filling up Lincoln Park in Grand Junction for baseball, swimming, and backyard-style celebrations. It's a Western Slope tradition that feels timeless, but Lincoln Park's story actually matches our city's growth step for step.

As Grand Junction expanded from a small railroad town into Western Colorado's largest community, Lincoln Park evolved too. Today, it's more than green space; it's where countless childhood memories, community traditions, and family celebrations have unfolded for a century.

Get our free mobile app

The Lincoln Park Barn Has Worn Many Hats Since 1923

The History Hidden Inside Grand Junction's Most Famous Park

Read More: Grand Junction Is Closer to Colorado Parks Than You Think

Liberty Park was officially renamed Lincoln Park in 1917, when the City of Grand Junction purchased the former Mesa County Fairgrounds. The park already included a racetrack, grandstand, exhibition hall, and stables, and it quickly became the city's favorite recreation space.

Grand Junction’s barn at Lincoln Park was commissioned in 1923 as the Lincoln Park Exhibition Hall (for the Mesa County Fair). The following year, a stage and dance floor were installed, and the space became the Lincoln Park Auditorium.

The Pool That Helped Raise Generations of Grand Junction Kids

At Grand Junction’s Lincoln Park-Moyer Pool, the fun dates back to 1922. This was the year the city’s first public pool opened, donated to the community by local philanthropist William Moyer. The gift gave families an affordable place to swim and play during the warm summers in the high desert. More than 100 years later, the pool is Grand Junction’s go-to for swimmers with lap lanes, water slides, a splash pad, and a great place to spend summer afternoons.

Yes, Lincoln Park Really Had Its Own Zoo

Read More: This Colorado State Park Is Suddenly Everyone’s Favorite

When newcomers learn about the park’s history, they are surprised that it was once home to a small zoo that housed bears, lions, and even a monkey or two. Learn more about one of Grand Junction’s most popular residents, Leo the Lion, here. The Lincoln Park Zoo was closed in 1970. The next time you visit Lincoln Park, think about all the fun people have been having there since the late 1800s.