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Worcester : Parks and Recreation- the great outdoors

Nature Museum

 

EcoTarium

A unique indoor-outdoor museum set in an urban oasis, the EcoTarium offers a chance to walk through the treetops, take a thrilling  multimedia journey through the galaxy at a digital planetarium, meet wildlife, stroll nature trails, and get hands-on with family-friendly exhibits.  

 

 

Worcester Parks

 

Broad Brook Meadow Conservation Area

The largest urban wildlife sanctuary in New England, with over 400 acres cooperatively managed or owned by Mass Audubon. Interpretive signs will guide you along well-marked trails through woods, fields, streams, and marsh. The center also serves as the visitor site for the National Park Service’s Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor.

Coes Pond

Total acreage of 20.79 acres incorporates five properties around Coes Reservoir (commonly referred to as Coes Pond), including the Coes Beach and Bathhouse, Coes Knife Dam, Columbus Park, the former Fenton Parcel and the former Knights of Columbus.

 Elm Park

The Park is positioned in the center of Park Avenue, Highland, Russell and Elm Streets. It includes Newton Hill which is located at the intersection of Highland and Pleasant Streets.The land the park resides on was purchased in 1854, making it one of the first purchases of land to be set aside for use as a public park in the United States

Institute Park

Lovely natural park with a pond and trees, tennis courts and walking paths. Across the American Antiquarian Society. Park is home to an outdoor concert setting

Green Hill Park

Green Hill Park is Worcester's largest municipal park. It is over 480 acres and houses a number of activities and facilities. It contains two ponds, a zoo, picnic grove, playground, little league field, golf course, and handball courts.administrative office.

Green Hill Golf Course 

 Quinsigamond State Park

The park consists of two sites located on Lake Quinsigamond in Worcester: Regatta Point and Lake Park. The 25 acre Regatta Point area offers facilities for swimming, sailing, picnicking and fishing. The area is used extensively for sailing and rowing crew regattas. The 2,000 meter rowing course established on Lake Quinsigamond is internationally recognized as one of the best courses in the world. 2016 Schedule 

Cristoforo Colombo Park (East Park)

Eighty-one acre park includes a ball field, playground and spray park  The park is the site of Worcesters annual Independence Day celebration which includes a performance by the  Massachusetts Symphony and a dazzling fireworks displaythat lights up the sky with a brilliant show

Salisbury Park

Salisbury Park is home to Bancroft Tower and holds some of the most beautiful views of Worcester. It is located atop Prospect Hill on the northwestern end of the city. Salisbury Park is close to Institute Park. It is bordered by Drury Lane to the north, Beechmont Street to the west, Homer Street to the south and Park Avenue to the east. Bancroft tower is 56-foot high (17m) natural stone and granite tower, which looks like a miniature feudal castel.  It is located in Salisbury Park.  It was erected in 1900, in memory of George Bancroft.  the tower was designed by Earle and fisher and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

Learn more about Worcester's parks on the City Parks page

 

Hike Worcester

 

  

 

Hike Worcester

The ultimate guide to hiking in and around Worcester, particularly featuring the lands of the Greater Worcester Land Trust! You will be surprised at the number and variety of opportunities for hiking in our area!

 Greater Worcester Land Trust

The Greater Worcester Land Trust preserves and manages land in and around the city for wildlife habitat and human recreation. 

 

 

 

 

Worcester Oval

 

 Worcester Oval

The Worcester Common Oval Ice Skating Rink is open for pubilc skate on weekends, holidays, school vacations and Thursday lunchtime skate!

Massachusetts Vietnam Veteran's Memorial

 

  

 Vietnam Veteran's Memorial

The Massachusetts Vietnam Veterans' Memorial is located at Green Hill Park in Worcester. This picturesque 4-acre memorial is comprised of three distinct sections, called "Places." Amongst these three sections you will also find a pond and fountain, walking paths, beautiful landscaping and inviting park benches. 

Greenhill Park Farm

 

Greenhill Park Farm

The Green Hill Park Farm is open year round located within Green Hill Park along Green Hill Parkway. The farm is free of charge and open to the public. Animals at the Farm include: Mini-horse, Sheep, Goats, Llamas, Pigs, Chickens, Pheasants, Peafowl, and Ducks

Greenhill Park Golf Course

 

Greenhill Park Golf Course

A par 72, 18-hole municipal golf course offering City residents and non-City residents alike an exciting and challenging round of golf along with providing the industry standard amenities and services to these golfers. The course is open for play April through October, weather permitting, at 6:30 AM weekdays and 6:00 AM on weekends and holidays. The course closes at dusk each day.