 Howard Park contains the historic Stub Canal Turning Basin, originally used for unloading crops grown to the west, including the central portions of the state near Lake Okeechobee, for shipment to the North.At the time, the land just across the canal from the park remained undeveloped marshlands, and was used for hunting.During the land-boom era, Howard Park was used as camp for settlers, including tent-sites, running water, and out-houses provided by the city.