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Photo of Tournament Park from its northern entrance shows trees, tables, playground, and paved paths
Local community engagement  /  Tournament Park

Tournament Park

Tournament Park is a historic park in Pasadena. It is a Caltech facility, open to the public during daylight hours and available for private gatherings by reservation.

The park offers picnic tables, a barbecue, a historical marker, and playground equipment. The parking lot is on the east side of Wilson Avenue south of California Boulevard.

RESERVATIONS: Information and forms related to reservations for private events in Tournament Park are provided by Caltech's Facilities Department.

Tournament Park: Why the name?

In this park, more than a century ago, Pasadena residents promoted the city with midwinter events including the first eight matches in the annual tradition now called the Rose Bowl Games. In those years, the park stretched north to California Boulevard. Tournament Park acquired its name in 1900 and hosted the first Tournament of Roses football game in 1902. The New Year's Day matches continued to be held in Tournament Park through 1922. Major aviation events also took place in Tournament Park and are commemorated in a historical marker.

Tournament Park historical marker. The text reads (in all capital letters): Historical Site—Tournament Park. Official terminus of the first transcontinental airplane flight, Calbraith (Cal) Perry Rodgers took off from Sheepshead Bay New York September 17, 1911, landing here November 5, 1911. Earlier flights. Roy Knabenshue piloted his dirigible from here March 20, 1909. Charles Willard landed here in his airplane March 31, 1911. Other early events. Balloon flights, horse races including chariot races, east-west football games, display of Tournament of Roses floats. Presented 1962 by Pasadena Pioneer Association and Pasadena Historical Society

Historical marker transcription with links to learn more:

Historical Site - Tournament Park
Official terminus of the first transcontinental airplane flight, Calbraith (Cal) Perry Rodgers took off from Sheepshead Bay New York September 17, 1911, landing here November 5, 1911.
Earlier flights
Roy Knabenshue piloted his dirigible from here March 20, 1909. Charles Willard landed here in his airplane March 31, 1911.
Other early events
Balloon flights, horse races including chariot races, East-West football games, display of Tournament of Roses floats.
Presented 1962 by Pasadena Pioneer Association and Pasadena Historical Society