Washington Park, a 3.75 acre park in the heart of downtown Manitowoc, was the first public park of the city to be improved.  It was gifted to Manitowoc by Benjamin Jones and originally intended for a market place, so that was the name it was known by for many years.  Washington Park was also the site of Manitowoc's first county fair in October 1859.  Today, the park features the MetroStage on which the summer concert series is held, as well as a fitness zone, and playground equipment.  A monument dedicated to educator Henry Vits is located on the west side of the park across from the site of a former school.