Sylvan Theater Historic District, Open-air theater in Greenwood Park, Des Moines, United States.
Sylvan Theater Historic District is an open-air theater in Greenwood Park featuring a natural amphitheater formed by hillside slopes on both sides of a creek. Mature oak trees surround the space, and metal bench seating faces west toward the stage positioned at the foot of the terrain's natural depression.
Construction began in 1931 with wooden benches that were later replaced by metal-framed seating. This renovation happened in 1934 through Works Progress Administration funding.
The name reflects its origins as a park space, and visitors today experience it as a venue where performances and outdoor gatherings connect people with nature in the heart of the city.
The theater is accessible year-round and easy to locate within the city park. It is wise to seek shaded spots under the trees during warm weather, as the open area offers little protection from the sun.
The design drew inspiration from an outdoor amphitheater in Forest Park, St. Louis, creating a space that feels separated from the city despite its central location. This connection to another regional venue shows how design ideas traveled between communities during that era.
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