1912 Steam Locomotive

East Park’s old steam locomotive is honestly one of those spots Mason City locals take for granted, but it’s worth a proper visit. The 1912 engine is the real deal — kids can actually climb up into the cab and get a feel for what running one of these things was like over a century ago. It’s a solid anchor for a longer afternoon out, especially since the walking paths wind back toward the tree line and give you plenty of room to stretch out. Bring the little ones in the 2-5 range and they go absolutely nuts for it, but older kids find it genuinely cool too. Parking is easy, benches are nearby, and the whole setup feels like a park that actually got thought through.