Markerland Park: Big City USA

 

When guests enter the park, they are instantly immersed in a whole new time and place. This is Big City USA, a recreation of an American metropolis amidst the glitz and glamour of the Roaring Twenties. Taking inspiration from cities like New York and Chicago, this is a unique way to start the park.

When guests first go through the gates, they see a beautiful garden and a train station on a hill. This is fashioned after the Union Station in Denver, Colorado. Going around the hill, they go through one of two tunnels advertising attractions. From there, they enter a town square, complete with a park in the center with a gazebo and vibrant jazz music playing overhead. On the left side of the square is City Hall, where guests can find help and services, as well as the garage for the vehicles. This is also where guests can Meet Kit the Goose, the mascot of the park. On the right side of the square is the Opera House, where guests can find the Making of Markerland exhibition. Guests can also ride the aforementioned Big City Vehicles: a pickup truck, a fire truck, and an automobile. Guests can also go up to the station and board the Markerland Railroad, which departs to Golden Gulch.

From the square, guests can go down one of two streets, Hall Street and Marker Street. On the left is Hall Street, where guests can find Kristyn's Jewelry, Charlie's Pet Emporium, Karla's Cafe, David's Deli, Brian's Photography, Mike's Outfitters, and Mason's American Restaurant. The last of this is a restaurant where guests can see concept art for the lands in seven themed rooms. The first four are on the left while the other three are on the right. On the right is Marker Street, which is home to Diane's Bakery, Ann's Pizzeria, John and Matt's Toy Store, and the largest store in the park, Melvin and Sons' Department Store. Both streets lead down to the garden, where they merge and go over a bridge to Castle Gardens.

Attractions:

1. City Hall
2. The Making of Markerland
3. Meet Kit the Goose
4. Big City Vehicles
5. Markerland Railroad

Dining:

A. Karla's Cafe

B. David's Deli

C. Mason's American Restaurant

D. Diane's Bakery

E. Ann's Pizzeria

Shopping:

F. Kristyn's Jewelry

G. Charlie's Pet Emporium

H. Brian's Photography

I. Mike's Outfitters

J. John and Matt's Toy Store

K. Melvin and Sons Department Store

When developing the park, I wanted to do an old-timey main street area. However, I decided to expand this into a city. I wanted to do something old and timeless, so I settled on 1920s America. I also named the shops and restaurants after family members for a personal touch.