Campbell Park, Melbourne, Florida, Visitor Guide & Things to Do Nearby

Campbell Park is a small green space on East New Haven Avenue in downtown Melbourne, Florida. It sits in the middle of the city's historic downtown, a district shaped by fire and rebuilding, and it is tied to a local ghost story about a phantom street vendor.

The story behind it

The downtown around Campbell Park is not Melbourne's first. According to the route creators, the original town centre stood along Front Street, closer to the Indian River, until a fire in 1919 destroyed most of it. When the town rebuilt, it moved west of what is now U.S. Route 1, and New Haven Avenue became the main street of the new downtown.

The park also has a ghost legend. The tale goes that a street vendor once sold goods from a cart in this area, well liked for fair dealing and friendly talk with everyone who stopped. Locals say a translucent man with a phantom cart can still be seen at dusk, arranging his wares and sometimes calling out in a voice from another era. It is folklore, not documented history, but it gives the park its character after dark.

What to look for

• Look at the older brick shopfronts along New Haven Avenue, since many downtown buildings date from the rebuilding after the fire.
• Notice how compact the park is, a pocket of green in a street grid that was laid out as a fresh start.
• Pay attention to where you are in relation to U.S. Route 1 and the river, which explains why the town centre ended up here.
• Stand near the park at dusk and picture the ghost vendor with his cart, the spot where the legend says he appears.

Tips for your visit

• The park itself is small, so a short stop is enough. Allow more time if you want to stroll the surrounding blocks.
• Dusk suits the ghost story best, and the light on the brick fronts is pleasant then too.
• Downtown Melbourne has plenty of cafes, restaurants and bars within easy walking distance, so it works well as a break in your day.
• Check local signs for parking rules and current park rules before you visit.

See it on a quest

Ghost Hunt in Melbourne, Florida suits this park well, given its legend. You reach Campbell Park on foot as one stop on a longer route through the area, the app tells you about each place as you arrive, and you solve a puzzle on the spot. One ticket covers the whole group.

The Oz Escape in Melbourne, FL is an Oz-themed way to see the same downtown streets. You walk from place to place, hear about each one as you get there, and solve a puzzle in front of you. One ticket covers the whole group.

The Oz Escape in Palm Bay is another Oz-themed quest that passes Campbell Park. You get a self-guided walk with the app telling you about each place and a puzzle to solve along the way. One ticket covers the whole group.