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A.K. Smiley Public Library

Serving the City of Redlands, California since 1894

Established in 1894, A.K. Smiley Public Library has served generations of patrons in the City of Redlands and beyond. The only “admission fee” is curiosity. Lifelong learning is at the center of activity in the beautiful, historic building and attractive grounds!

Redlands Parks

Redlands’s heritage of greenery dates back to the founding of Cañon Crest Park by Alfred and Albert Smiley in 1890 on the site of what is now known as Smiley Heights. As a significant tourist destination in Southern California, Cañon Crest Park helped put Redlands on the map, but was lost to residential development in the mid-20th century. The loss of that community treasure spurred efforts in the 1960s to save Prospect Park, which the city eventually purchased in 1968 and is now one of many public spaces Redlands has to offer.

In 1988, Redlanders passed Measure O, a bond issue focusing on parks and open space development. Among the properties purchased with Measure O funds is Heritage Park, which joined the list of historic parks in the city, including:

Smiley Park, dedicated March 1898 — Sylvan Park, dedicated in May 1912 — Jennie Davis Park, established as Floral Park in 1938 — Texonia Park, dedicated September 1964, sponsored by the Evening Kiwanis Club — Ford Park, dedicated June 1965, sponsored by the Redlands Rotary Club — Prospect Park, dedicated November 1968 — Community Park, dedicated November 1974 — Caroline Park, dedicated April 1988 — Heritage Park, purchased 1989 — Israel Beal Park, dedicated February 2011

For information on Redlands parks, visit the City of Redlands website.

  • CB.0057_Smiley Height Chain of Title
    Smiley Heights Chain of Title presented to Citation Construction Corporation, November 7, 1962
  • Canon Crest Park Booklet, c1900
    Cañon Crest Park promotional booklet, March 1903
  • 2893 – 017
    Cañon Crest Park colorized postcard
  • Smiley Park_Redlands Facts, 05-05-1897
    Redlands Daily Facts, May 5, 1897
  • Smiley Park_LA Times, 04-21-1900
    Los Angeles Times, April 21, 1900
  • C089.009.1975_Smiley Park, 03-16-1912
    Smiley Park, March 16, 1912
  • C089.009.7284_Smiley Park, 04-11-1925
    Smiley Park, April 11, 1925
  • C089.010.01964-Sylvan Park Layout
  • C089.010.1967_Sylvan Park
    Sylvan Park colorized postcard
  • C089.005.04774_Jennie Davis Park
    "Glory Hole" at future site of Jennie Davis Park, c1930
  • 2018.001.025_Jennie Davis Park
  • Jennie Davis Park LA Times, 11-28-1938
    Jennie Davis Park, Los Angeles Times, November 28, 1938
  • 2720
    Prospect Park colorized postcard
  • C060.001
    Redlands Diamond Jubilee parade, November 9, 1963
  • Prospect Park, c1967_Map
  • Prospect Park_SB Sun, 11-24-1967_PHOTO
    Prospect Park by Art Miller, San Bernardino Sun, November 24, 1967
  • Texonia Park_SB Sun, 09-23-1962
    Texonia Park construction, San Bernardino Sun, September 23, 1962
  • C089.012.8091_Texonia Park
    Texonia Park, 1972
  • Clipping from Redlands Daily Facts – Newspapers.com
    Redlands Daily Fact, June 2, 1965
  • C089.004.12189_Ford Park
    Ford Park, c1970
  • Community Park_SB Sun, 11-24-1974
    Community Park dedication, San Bernardino Sun, November 24, 1974
  • 2012
    Community Park dedication, November 24, 1974
  • C089.002.8988_Caroline Park
    Harold M. Hill, Stephen L. Guggisberg, and William G. Moore at Caroline Park, January 28, 1988
  • Caroline Park Map, c1988
  • Measure O_SB Sun, 10-02-1987_Political Ad
    Yes on Measure O advertisement, San Bernardino Sun, October 2, 1987
  • Measure O_Open Space Plan
    Yes on Measure O brochure, 1988

Watch “Glory Hole,” the 1941 film showing the creation of Jennie Davis Park by the Beautification Committee of the Contemporary Club:

Learn about Arbor Day

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