Plaza Park was the original city central square. It is now D-shaped because the main through-way of West 5th Street bends around it.

Four centered paths led into the park from each bordering street. All four paths intersected at a central pagoda. Note the metal benches along the path and the huge, mature shade trees.

Plaza Park was bordered by downtown businesses. The park's lack of recreational fixtures or improvements indicated it was intended more to be used for civic events, functions, and lunchtime dining.

The drinking fountain appeared very old. It was made of bronze and originally supplied drinking water for two at once.

A sign on the Pagoda read:

The Oxnard Pagoda

The pagoda was built in 1910 to house the pump which supplied water for irrigating the park. It was designed by Architect Alfred J. Priest and built by Thomas H. Carroll Contractor. In 1911, the floor was raised to provide room for the band platform as a bandstand.

One view looking east out of the park showed the surrounding city. This was clearly not a park intended for city escape.

Public art in one shaded corner of the park doubled as a resting place for the homeless and mentally unstable.

The western side of the park had more mature trees than did the eastern side. Here, mature shade trees created an idyllic setting just a few steps from a busy city street.