Mountcastle Park

Mountcastle Park, a square block of land fronting on Lake Avenue and Mountcastle Street, was originally held in common by landowners whose property was adjacent to it. In 1972 a legislator called upon UT to clean and beautify the park, and the city responded that it was the owner of the park. In 1974 a benefit auction was held by the Undergraduate Alumni Council in the Music Auditorium to raise funds to renovate the park, with Maynard Glenn, city recreation director, agreeing to match contributions up to $4,500. The auction raised $1,650.50. UT architecture students conducted a survey and, based on its results, planned park improvements. City Recreation Director Maynard Glenn then had the city install three wooden picnic tables, three small grills, and several wooden benches. A gravel walkway and a center circle surrounded by benches were installed. The UAC money was spent on beautification after the park elements were established by the city. Mayor Victor Ashe transferred the land to UT a decade later, with the stipulation that UT maintain the park atmosphere of the land.