CLEVELAND, Ohio - The cows that once roamed Public Square in the early 1800s had the right idea.

Take a load off. Chew a little grass, soak up some sun, enjoy life in a pastoral setting.

And despite the pavement politicking of the Republican National Convention that has dominated Public Square in recent days, this 10-acre section of downtown turf still serves as an urban oasis.

Visit early in the morning, before the air fills with shouts, chants and anger. Instead, there is the soft rustle of leaves, a concerto of chirping birds, the splash of fountains, the somber bells of Old Stone Church.

People are quietly strolling, bicycling, napping and gathering to chat in small, smiling groups. Cutting across wide expanses of lawn, feeling the soft cushion of freshly watered Kentucky bluegrass squish beneath their feet.

It's a scene perhaps reminiscent of Public Square's early history when the area featured a pavilion and a rustic bridge spanning an artificial stream.

Three-year-old Paige Ditzler, of Avon, scampered through water jets, squealing with delight. Her parents, Reid and Brittney Ditzler watched as their other daughter, 9-month-old Teagan, napped in a stroller.

They'd come to see the square, not the convention crowds, which is why they arrived early Thursday morning, hours before the square became a hotbed for demonstrators.

"It's beautiful," Reid Ditzler said as he looked around the square. "I'm really happy with what they've done with the green space. I really like the splash pad for the kids."

Remembering the old Public Square, pre-$50-million-renovation, Ditzler said, "you just kind-off passed through that. It wasn't a stopping point. This is more family friendly."

He took a moment to take a photo of his daughter posing in the fountain area with a group of policemen who had been patrolling the square. Suddenly a jet of water shifted direction and soaked some of officers. Everyone burst into laughter, including the cops. No politics, no fighting, just a shared moment of pure joy and fun.

Nearby, another officer walked his dog from one garbage container to another, letting the dog stand on its hind legs to give each container a good sniff, in a sobering reminder of the realities of potential violence.

But there were other, non-police dogs, getting to know the landscape as all canines do.

Jean Budiwanec, of Hinckley, watched as her Pomeranian, "Koda," tongue-flicked fountain water with a perpetual smile.

"It's amazing. I grew up in Cleveland and I've been down here a million times, but this park space is just perfect for people to get together in a nice, peaceful way," she said. "Early in the morning it's really peaceful."

Sprawled under a tree on a grassy knoll in the northwest corner of the square, Sean Kelly, of Cleveland, enjoyed a shady spot on a hot summer day.

"I've been down here a few times, just sitting down, lying in the grass," he said. "How often can you lay in the grass in the middle of the city and look up at Tower City? It's pretty cool."

Stefan Radivoyevitch, of Cleveland took advantage of the setting to enjoy going barefoot on the grass. "I like the feel of grass on my feet," he said.

He's a big fan of the renovated square. "I love it," he said. "I think it's ten times better than it used to be."

Also shoeless, Nicholas Sand, of North Royalton, has been driving Uber for convention guests this week, but had to get out of his car for a closer look, and a barefoot walk through the fountain feature at Public Square.

"This is beautiful. It's the new Public Square," he said. "It's really something to take in."

Not far from where a statue of city founder Moses Cleaveland faced-off with a statue of former Mayor Tom Johnson on the opposite side of the square, Jennifer Wey praised the renovated square.

"I love the fountains. I love the plantings," she said. "I like all the seating space. People can just come and sit for a few minutes, have a quiet minute."

And on a grassy hilltop in the northeast corner of the square, Alison McKim, of Bay Village, silently practiced yoga.

"I came down to meditate," she said. "I thought maybe others could use that. This is a super-peaceful place.

"I love it. I'm totally crazy about it," she added. "This is genius, with these little hills and the trees. I feel safe. The other one (pre-renovation) was OK, but I never felt I could come down here and hang out.

"This is just awesome."