Academy Park

About
Academy Park was dedicated in the spring of 1997 to all Purdue faculty in honor of their teaching and academic achievement.

Academy Park replaced a series of streets and parking lots. The five-acre tract includes walks connecting the buildings surrounding the mall, parking for bicycles and some automobiles, and seating areas for students and staff.

It was created in the spirit of the original academy, an outdoor learning and teaching garden of ancient Greece founded by Plato.

The seating areas are enhanced by flowering pear trees, which provide a pedestrian scaled space. Informal teaching areas were provided.

Situated just north of Stewart Center and the Memorial Union, the park offers a popular place to enjoy a break between classes.

The Sound
You will often see people stopping in the middle of Academy Park to clap their hands. This is because when standing in the center and clapping, you will hear a funny squeek. The circle was engineered to amplify sounds, and they produce unique sounds of their own. Next time you are there, clap your hands or stand in the middle and start speaking. You'll be surprised by what you hear.