Named after the "Pioneer,” the first steam locomotive to operate in Elmhurst, the four acres of land were purchased in April 1974 for $270,000. A naming contest was held in August and a student at Bryan Junior High chose the name for two different reasons. Micky Kahler felt it reflected the upcoming Bicentennial by celebrating early settlers in Elmhurst, and its proximity to a former railroad would make it a good place to recognize the "Pioneer.” In 1986, the Holloway sisters donated an additional .37 acres of family land to the park, and recently a plot of land on Mitchell was donated as well.