Union Park, Saint Paul

Union Park was a large recreational area located at the intersection of University and Lynnhurst Avenues in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Also known as Lake Iris Park, it opened in 1880 shortly after the completion of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad’s "Short Line" route. The grounds of the park included a bowling alley, bandstand, dance hall, carousel, zoo and observation tower. By 1884 the amusement park had closed, and the property was divided into residential lots. The resulting neighborhood was also called Union Park. All that remains of Lake Iris is the present-day Iris Park, a small public space with an artificial pond.