Clark Park
19th St. & Roosevelt
St.
10 acres
Ken Clark was born in Abilene, Texas
in 1907 and relocated to Tempe with his family shortly
after. The Clark’s continued to live in Tempe where
Ken graduated from both Tempe High and ultimately,
Arizona State Teachers College in 1928. After teaching
for in the local school system for 5 years, Ken began a
long and illustrious career in both insurance and real
estate in Tempe which he ran out of his downtown office
near 6th and Mill for more than 60 years.
Ken saw and participated in much of
the growth and development of Tempe, particularly
Tempe’s rapid growth in the years after World War II.
His real estate business bought and sold many of the
parcels that make up what is now downtown Tempe and his
family business provided life insurance to many Tempeans.
Ken served with distinction on the Tempe City Council
from 1943-36. While in Tempe, Ken and his family served
many civic groups and organizations, but always kept a
fond place in their hearts for Tempe’s children through
the continued involvement with Clark Park.
Today, the park is a center of
activity for several neighborhood associations and is
currently going through a master plan process for the
future redevelopment of the park and pool. The
recreation center located within the park still bears a
plaque in honor and memory of Ken and his family for the
generous donation of land for the park that still bears
his family name.
On
September 26, 2003, Diamondbacks Charities, along with APS, dedicated the Matt Mantei Little League Ballfield
as a part of their "Field of Dreams" program. The
field included new lights, new fencing and backstops,
and an electronic scoreboard.
