Mission Park, Santa Barbara

Mission Historical Park
Grassy area of Mission Historical Park in Santa Barbara looking northeast toward the Santa Ynez Mountains
Location	Intersection of East Los Olivos St. and Laguna St. in Santa Barbara, California; Due east of the Santa Barbara Mission
Coordinates	Coordinates: 34°26′15″N 119°42′44″W / 34.437601°N 119.712206°W / 34.437601; -119.712206
Area	10 acres (4 ha)
Created	1928-1948
Operated by	City of Santa Barbara Parks & Recreation Department
Website	Mission Historical Park

Mission Historical Park is a 10-acre park (4.0 ha) located to the east of the Santa Barbara Mission in Santa Barbara, California. The park hosts a large open grassy area, the A.C. Postel Memorial Rose Garden, a fountain, hiking trails, a variety of sycamore and native oak trees, a historic olive grove dedicated to World War I veterans, remains of tannery vats, a pottery, gristmill, and a historic reservoir and aqueduct system. The park and the Mission were designated as a California State Historical Landmark on July 12, 1939 (No. 309).

The park is divided by Alameda Padré Serra, a major access roadway that has an Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT) of about 9,900 vehicles. The perimeter of the park's 8-acre southern area extends from the intersection of East Los Olivos St. and Laguna St. north to Alameda Padré Serra, and east to Plaza del Rubio. The smaller northern 2-acre portion occupies the area between Alameda Padré Serra, and Mountain Drive and Mission Ridge Road at the park's northern terminus.

Following the 1925 Santa Barbara earthquake and post-restoration efforts made to the Santa Barbara Mission, the Franciscan Fathers of California offered to sell a 7.8 acre parcel of land extending from Laguna and East Los Olivos Streets north to Alameda Padré Serra. After securing private contributions, on June 30, 1928 the City Council agreed to purchase the land for $37,000 (to be paid over several years). By 1939, a total sum of $53,068.80 was paid in full (which included interest and other expenses). A master plan was approved by the Board of Park Commissioners in 1940.

In 1948, the remainder of the land comprising the present day park (the 2-acre parcel between Alameda Padré Serra and Mission Ridge Road) was gifted to the City by the Franciscan Fathers.

In 1954, the City developed a plan indicating a straightened Los Olivos Street through the park. The local citizenry and a number of organizations "vigorously objected" to the proposal. In March of that year, the City Council changed the name of the park from Mission Plaza (or Park) to Mission Historical Park, which had been suggested by Miss Pearl Chase five years previous.

By 1970, the City Park Commissioners once again called for a redesign of the park and surrounding streets.