Dr Paul Carlson Memorial Park
Rate this placeNearby: Coombs Park Lindberg Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
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Summary
Paul Carlson Memorial Park, located in the state of California, is a beautiful and serene park that honors the life and work of Dr. Paul Carlson, a medical missionary who was martyred in the Congo in 1964. The park is a perfect place for visitors to relax, reflect, and learn about the legacy of Dr. Carlson.
One of the main reasons to visit the park is to learn about the life and work of Dr. Carlson. The park offers a variety of educational exhibits, including a timeline of Dr. Carlson's life and career, photos, and artifacts. Visitors can also watch a short film about Dr. Carlson's work in the Congo.
There are several points of interest to see in the park, including a replica of Dr. Carlson's medical clinic in the Congo, a memorial wall featuring the names of other medical missionaries who lost their lives, and a beautiful garden dedicated to Dr. Carlson's wife, Lois.
Interesting facts about the park include the fact that it was originally a landfill that was transformed into a beautiful green space, and that it is home to a variety of wildlife, including birds, rabbits, and squirrels.
The best time of year to visit the park is in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and the park is at its most beautiful. However, visitors can enjoy the park year-round, as it is open every day from dawn to dusk.
Overall, Dr. Paul Carlson Memorial Park is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in learning about the life and work of Dr. Carlson, as well as anyone looking for a peaceful and educational outdoor experience.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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