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Worcester,Mass - Places of the Past, Elm Park
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Description
In 1854, Elm Park was purchased by Worcester from Levi Lincoln and John Hammond. It consisted of almost exactly 28 acres. The procurement of the nation's oldest parcel of land set aside for park recreation is attributed to our 4th mayor, John S.C. Knowlton (1853-1854).
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User Stories and Comments

The following are comments left about Elm Park from site visitors such as yourself. They are not spell checked or reviewed for accuracy.

Neil H Donahue - Report this comment
Not only the oldest park, but holds the title as being the First Public Park.
Pete Taylor - Report this comment
I used to live on Elm St right across from the park. The ponds were a wonderful place to ice skate in the evenings.
Jack Kenny - Report this comment
Learned to ice skate on Elm Park in the late 40's. In the summertime you could get to the island close to Park Ave. by stepping on rocks in the water. Across Park Ave. was Newton Hill. Great play area for us also.
In 1854, Elm Park was purchased by Worcester from Levi Lincoln and John Hammond. It consisted of almost exactly 28 acres. The procurement of the nation's oldest parcel of land set aside for park recreation is attributed to our 4th mayor, John S.C. Knowlton (1853-1854).
I used to live with my grandmother on Plesant street at the bottom of the hill. My Aunt, who is only a few years older, her and i used to go there and play every night after supper. Around 1949 and 1950 Later in life when my aunts were married their pictures were taken at the park. Looking at these pictures and many of the others bring back so many memories and also refreshens my memory of places i forgot about.
Gladys (Byron) Loftis - Report this comment
These pictures have sure brought back a lot of memories. My brother, mother and I would go skating there all the time in the winter. In fact it is where I learned to skate. Can still smell the smoke from the fires that were built to warm hands and toes while skating. I have a lovely 8 x 10 in color of the bridge crossing over the water. Will see about sending it along to chuck. Thanks again for the memories. Gladys (Byron) Loftis
Denyse (Abruzzise) Walbeehm - Report this comment
Elm park!!! My friends and family took me there as a child in the 70's and I remember one time a friend took me there for an afternoon and we sat under the trees and found TONS of pocket change! What's sad is that Worcester at one time was quite a city - my parents and grandparents had so many stories about so many places that I was never able to see or experience. Some of the places still exist but they're so run down and unloved that you can't even tell they meant anything to anyone. :( I guess I should be happy I had at least Elm Park.
Chuck Hintlian - Report this comment
In the early 40's we lived on Park Ave. just a few houses down from Elm Park. I tried really hard, but could never learn to stand on ice skates, but a cup of hot chocolate at Andy and Arthur's Spa on the corner of Park Ave. and Highland Street always made it better.
I Grew up in the area Elm Park is great diversity and socialbility exsists although out with the old and in with the new I will always cherish the precious memories of the park as well as the hill @ the top of the stairs ! A moment of silence for SMOKEY who passed on @ highland ST & west god bless
Jenn Charbonneau - Report this comment
I always thought Elm Park was nice and then I saw these pictures! It was much more beautiful in the past. Why can't the City of Worcester get to work on fixing it up. The bridges and the stones that surround the pond really need some work. Elm Park is something to be proud of! Let's make it beautiful again!
Neil H. Donahue - Report this comment
Elm Park may not have been the been the first public park according to New Yorkers. New Yorks Central Park celebrates 150 years in 2003 as the first public park.The nation's first major public park was born in 1853 when the legislature set aside 843 acres,with Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux chosen to design the vast landscaping.. Elm Park was 1854 , so I guess the debate goes on ,Who's on First....
Matt Hagopian - Report this comment
The Newton Hill section of Elm Park has recently had a great deal of work done by a local group called Friends of Newton Hill. They have done a lot of hard work clearing and marking the trails and removing litter. The area was looking pretty shabby in recent years, but this group of volunteers has made a huge difference.
Patricia Warren - Report this comment
Band concerts were held there for several weeks, July-Aug. in the mid to late 1950's. It was a great way to spend a Sun. evening.
Michael Anthony - Report this comment
I grew up on Dover Street, not far from Elm Park. We spent many days there when I was a child. Playing on the swings, ice skating, and skimming rocks on the water were just a few of the ways we spent time there.
30 second from elm park, across the street, and it is beautiful i spend alot of time there every day, great play ground and i am so amazed at how much great history is behind it!!!
Will Marengo (aka Sturtevant) - Report this comment
My earliest mememories of a park is Elm. My grandmother - Nana - would take me to feed the ducks. My family would have picnics there. My friends and cousins would skip summer school and hang out at the park all day. My first time on ice skates was at Elm. I'll take my family there when I come to visit. Very pleasant memories for me.
Arnold Savatsky - Report this comment
During the twenties & thirties I grew up only afew blocks from Elm Park. Some of my best memories was ice skating in the winter and enjoying it's beauty in the summer. Arnold Savatsky
Oh, yes...how can I forget the stairs! The stairs to Terabithia!! Lots of great childhood/teen memories! I miss Worcester!
I used to live in worcester and the park was beautiful
I loved skaking at Elm park. My family would walk down from Bancroft Tower Road where we lived. We all skated and then had hot chocolate and Devil Dogs across the street in a little place that has been replaced by various supermarkets. This was in the 1950's.

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