Devendorf Park takes its name from James Franklin Devendorf, the real-estate developer who gave the land. The city developed the park in 1932, and it fills the block where Ocean Avenue meets Junípero Street. Devendorf (1856-1934) spent about 30 years developing Carmel and the Carmel Highlands, and a mountain behind the city is named for him.
It is Carmel’s central gathering place for outdoor events, which makes it a good first stop for anyone orienting themselves on foot. Because the village has no traffic lights or parking meters, the park also gives a sense of how small and walkable the downtown is.