As a one-of-a-kind combination of history, art and interactivity, there’s something for everyone at Catfish Row Children’s Art Park in Vicksburg, Mississippi. The park utilizes the history of the area in multiple ways to create distinct experiences for audiences of all types, enabling it to become an attraction for both residents and visitors.
The Evolution of “Catfish Row”
Catfish Row was Vicksburg’s commerce hub where horse-drawn wagons connected with steamboats and trains. Not particularly a clean place, it was busty with laborers, lined with saloons and thriving with underground activities. It was a place where “work” and “trouble” could be defined in numerous ways.
Today, this history has been cultivated to form a creative adventure that also utilizes the notoriety of the Mississippi River. Visitors can enjoy different pieces of history that have been called out in various ways all across the park.
This history makes for an experience that’s both recreational and educational for visitors of all types. Information and insight are interspersed with colorful artwork that decorates the park. These pieces are are the works of local school children, highlighting the especially unique experiences that residents and visitors can expect from Catfish Row Children’s Art Park.
Experiences and Engagement for Kids and Adults
Playful areas, garden walks, a splash fountain, children’s art, murals and unique exhibits all define Catfish Row Children’s Art Park. Most of these elements pay tribute to the Mississippi River and the trade that once took place on the river. This history has influenced the nautical theme of the playground.
Historical markers associated with the Firing on the A.O. Tyler, the Vicksburg Queen of the West and the Steamer Sultana further highlight the history of the area to visitors. However, this history also comes alive in a far more active way.
A makeshit prow of a ship resides near the marker for the Queen of the West. The Sprague was based in Vicksburg but burned and sank adjacent to Vicksburg’s waterfront in 1974. A few of the ship’s salvaged parts have been restored and assembled to create an imaginary place for today’s kids who play in Catfish Row’s Children’s Art Park.
Catfish Row Children’s Art Park has also helped shape numerous economic and cultural developments in the vicinity. Nearby restaurants have been able to thrive thanks to the activity that the park has enabled. It has also become an essential element of maps and tours of the city.
Additionally, the nearby Vicksburg Riverfront Murals depict much of the history that the Art Park celebrates, while the Catfish Row Museum will introduce a cultural heritage experience that showcases the unique and diverse aspects of Vicksburg.
These developments in and around Catfish Row Children’s Art Park showcase what it can mean to create engagement for kids and adults. By being connected to the history of Vicksburg in so many different ways, the Art Park has helped to define the way audiences can interact with one another and experience the past and present of an entire city.
Something for Everyone
By featuring activities that range from getting wet in the splash pad to playing on the playground to reading about the history of the area, Catfish Row Children’s Art Park has something for everyone. These experiences have enabled the park to define a legacy that will continue to grow and make a positive impact for all of Vicksburg.
