The park also has become enmeshed in the city's fractious politics.

As a result, the rose garden replaced the racetrack, and the park became what it is today.

In fact, the park had just become too popular.

"We are determined to see everything there become park," she said.

The park is becoming too big and too popular to just let things happen.

The park is becoming well known as a good place for birdwatching.

"Over all, the park is becoming, I think, a more benign place."

The park has become all the more prized as commercial development has blocked the river from view.

In 1996, the privately owned park became a preserve.

Over the years the park has gradually become less and less of a destination for visitors.