Argonne Circle Park is a small park situated at the intersection of King George Ave SW and 4th Street SW, in the Old Southwest (historical district) of Roanoke. It’s less than one acre in size and surrounded by homes that are over a hundred years old. The park’s name comes from the Argonne Forest in France, where the final allied offensive in the “Great War” took place in 1918. A large granite boulder was installed in the center of the park in 1925 with a bronze plaque dedicated to the eighty-five World War I soldiers from Roanoke who did not return from the war. Later, a second plaque was installed on the rock to honor all veterans, past and present. The park is well maintained with a few large and small trees and a couple of benches and a flag pole.
As of this writing (August 2020) only two people have eBirded at this small park. This author birds it a lot because it’s across the street from his house. Typical urban species predominate here, with lots of House Sparrows and House Finches. Chimney Swifts are abundant, and occasionally one encounters something more unusual, such as Fish Crow or Common Nighthawk. This park is just a short distance from Mill Mountain, Roanoke River Greenway and Smith Park where we have nesting Yellow-crowned Nigh-Herons.
Owner/Manager: City of Roanoke
eBird Hotspot: Argonne Circle Park
—Kent Davis