Roswell's beginnings did not start as most people thought as of late. Roswell, as most people don't know, was first in 1581, only as a camp for an over night stay. By the wealthy Spanish cavalier Don Antonio de Espejo, who came from Mexico with a posse of 15 to find Friars Francisco Lopez and Juan de Santa Maria. After finishing his primary mission, which the found them dead, (Espejo did what he loved to do, which was exploring). Espejo explored a lot of New Mexico but as some of his men got sick so they headed home. As they went down the Pecos River 300 Miles they camped at what is now Roswell. Upon his return to Mexico He reported all that he saw and said that New Mexico was full of rich land and had great mineral wealth.

One of the more famous and popular parks then and now is Cahoon Park, named after E.A. Cahoon in 1935. "Through the years Cahoon Park has been maintained as an open space area. This was one park in the city where families could gather and enjoy the mature shade trees without constant fear of injury from baseballs, softballs, and so on. The open spaces have been reserved for games but not to the extent of needing outfield fences and backstops" (2). An interesting fact about Cahoon Park is that on some of the furniture nails in the assembly were not used instead wooden dowels. It reflected on the construction and accuracy needed in the hand cut and joining of the various pieces necessary for completion. Cahoon park is still probably the most popular of all Roswell's parks.

The second period from 1950 till about 65 shows the growth and development of the parks as the city grew. Recreational facilities were built primarily for and maintained by the school age in mind. During this period plenty of people relocated to Roswell, with the influx in military families stationed at the new air base. With the increase in population came the demand for something to do in spare time. From this generation the demand for recreation increased extensively when compared to the pre- World War two years.

One park that many have not heard of is Iron Cross Park. It is on Pennsylvania and North Spring River it was acquired for the sole purpose of having access to North Spring River. During the last couple years or so the city has acquired additional lots adjacent to the original property, which have been cleared and scheduled to be used for future parking. As noted on the drawing the hike and bike trail is planned top pass through this site, which will provide a place to rest while on the trail. The name as many have wondered was acquired from decorative artwork located in the river rock wall across from the mini park. An iron cross is designed into the wall itself; about 50 German war prisoners made it. When people of Roswell discovered this, some became very angry and so they set out and tried to do away with the symbol. They then poured 4 to 5 yards of concrete over it. However and very eerily the concrete did not stay, it was washed away by floods, sun and wind, that Iron Cross stands out even today, as a grotesque reminder of Nazi's and the imprisonment they spent here in Roswell.

The third period from 1965 to the present reflects an expansion of additional activities and facilities. During this period a new demand arouse, the demand for adult recreation. Retirees moving to

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1742
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)