Draft:John Buckley Square

John Buckley Square
Map
LocationPittsburg, California, USA
Coordinates38°01′55″N 121°53′04″W / 38.0320°N 121.8845°W / 38.0320; -121.8845
Area2 acres (0.81 ha)
Opened2015
Operated byCity of Pittsburg
Public transit accessBay Area Rapid Transit Pittsburg Center station
Bus interchange Tri Delta Transit Pittsburg Route 381

John Buckley Square is a 2 acre (0.81 ha) public square and park in Old Town Pittsburg, California.

Formerly known as Old Town Plaza, the park was officially dedicated as John Buckley Square on September 3, 2015,[1][2] in honor of John Buckley, the first Pittsburg Police Officer who died in the line of duty in a shooting outside the Paloma Café on Second and Black Diamond streets on December 13, 1935.[3][4]

A plaque honoring John Buckley is mounted to a concrete foundation next to the north covered patio of the square.[3]

Monuments facing Railroad Ave celebrate Pittsburg's sister city relationships with Isola della Femmine, Italy; Pohang, South Korea; Shimonoseki, Japan; and Yahualica, Mexico.[5]

Recreational amenities

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The square offers a variety of recreational amenities, including a playground area, sand pit, ping pong table, bocce court, bench seating and restrooms.[6]

In late 2019, Pittsburg's first covered public outdoor ice skating rink was temporary installed in the square.[7][8]

Events

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The space hosts live music performances during Pittsburg's annual car show, as well as summer movie nights.[9]

Additionally, an annual Holiday Parade is held in December.[10] Each year, a Christmas tree is set at the square, with an annual tree lighting ceremony where the city mayor has the honor of flipping the switch.[11]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "City Events Calendar: John Buckley Square Ribbon Cutting". City of Pittsburg. 2015-09-04. Retrieved 2024-02-06.
  2. ^ Prieve, Judith (2019-08-22). "Big Chill ice rink appears headed to downtown Pittsburg". East Bay Times. Retrieved 2024-02-06.
  3. ^ a b "John Buckley Square Historical Marker". The Historical Marker Database. Retrieved 2024-02-06.
  4. ^ "John J. Buckley". California Peace Officers' Memorial Foundation. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  5. ^ "Old Town Historical Walking Tour: City of Pittsburg, California". cityofpittsburg.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 2024-02-08.
  6. ^ "Discover Pittsburg" (PDF). Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved 2024-02-06.
  7. ^ Prieve, Judith (2019-08-22). "Big Chill ice rink appears headed to downtown Pittsburg". East Bay Times. Retrieved 2024-02-06.
  8. ^ Gehlke, Roni (2019-11-11). "Around East County: Big Chill rink reopening soon in new Pittsburg location". East Bay Times. Retrieved 2024-02-06.
  9. ^ "City Events Calendar: Movies in the Park". City of Pittsburg. 2023-07-28. Retrieved 2024-02-06.
  10. ^ "Events: Holiday Parade". City of Pittsburg Recreation Department. 2023-12-09. Retrieved 2024-02-06.
  11. ^ "Events: Tree Lighting Ceremony". City of Pittsburg Recreation Department. 2023-12-08. Retrieved 2024-02-06.
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