Emma Young Park

Emma Young Park is a recreational hub for the community. Facilities include three softball diamonds, pee wee soccer fields, three tennis courts, and a 5K cross country running course. A concession building and open picnic shelter are located near the ball diamonds. The park also has a toddler playground with poured-in-place safety surface, and a large pond with a fishing pier. Emma Young is also home to the Ericksen Community Center, which includes the administrative offices for the Parks and Recreation Department. The Center has community meeting space, youth room, The Rec-Fitness Center, two gymnasiums, an indoor concession stand and commons area. History: Emma Young was a socialite married to WJ. Young, a Clinton lumber baron and industrialist, at the turn of twentieth century. With the funds from the Emma Young trust fund, park grounds and building materials were purchased. Emma Young Park is located at 11th Avenue North and 14th Street, Clinton, Iowa. The late Helen Thompson Ericksen, a lifelong Clinton resident and member of the Clinton Recreation Commission, donated a portion of her estate to establish a children's center. Her contributions provided the interior elements including the beautiful terrazo floors in the main entrance. In 1969, construction began on a 25,160 square foot building, which eventually was named the Ericksen Community Center. A formal dedication ceremony was conducted on Sunday, June 28, 1970.