Draft:John Buckley Square

John Buckley Square is a 2 acre (0.81 ha) public square and park in Old Town Pittsburg, California.

Formerly known as Old Town Plaza, the park was officially dedicated as John Buckley Square on September 3, 2015, in honor of John Buckley, the first Pittsburg Police Officer who died in the line of duty in a shooting outside the Paloma Café on Second and Black Diamond streets on December 13, 1935.

A plaque honoring John Buckley is mounted to a concrete foundation next to the north covered patio of the square.

Monuments facing Railroad Ave celebrate Pittsburg's sister city relationships with Isola della Femmine, Italy; Pohang, South Korea; Shimonoseki, Japan; and Yahualica, Mexico.

Recreational amenities
The square offers a variety of recreational amenities, including a playground area, sand pit, ping pong table, bocce court, bench seating and restrooms.

In late 2019, Pittsburg's first covered public outdoor ice skating rink was temporary installed in the square.

Events
The space hosts live music performances during Pittsburg's annual car show, as well as summer movie nights.

Additionally, an annual Holiday Parade is held in December. Each year, a Christmas tree is set at the square, with an annual tree lighting ceremony where the city mayor has the honor of flipping the switch.