In 1885, John A. and Ciddie Stevens gave a block of land on Main Street to be used for a courthouse, but it was not used for that purpose, and in 1895 it was sold for $100 to the county. Trees and grass were planted there, and it became Stevens Park. John Stevens died in 1902, leaving, along with his other contributions to Garden City, a park that would serve as a hub for many town activities. By 1903 it had a band shell, and a couple of years later $250 was spent on landscaping. In April 22, 1931, plans for a modern shell were presented to the city commissioners, with the new band stand estimated to cost $3,900, and the first concert in the new concrete band shell was presented on July 1, 1931. Stevens Park still flourishes today and continues to be the site of many community activities, including band concerts and art events.