Our Parks - Hale Memorial Park

Address/Location: The park is just over an acre. The main entrance is located on Water Street with side street access from Madison Street. The Park continues across Water Street, along the Merrimack River

Features: A paved walkway meanders through the park. No dogs are allowed. Benches and places to sit are sparse. There is a small stone waterfall and pool, and another small circular pool. There are no restrooms or dedicated parking.

History

• Hale Park was designed by Victor Otto and dedicated in 1960. It is owned by the Hale Foundation Trust.
• Originally the land which became the Park was used by the Hale family as a “flake yard” where codfish were dried on racks known as “flakes” to be shipped to far away locations.
• Joseph Woodwell Ledwidge Hale (professor, inventor, textbook writer) donated the park in memory of his parents, sibling brother, and ancestors who came to this country in 1637. Mr. Hale willed the property to be used for a garden park, but not a playground.
• Visitors are welcomed to the park with the phrase “Open to all who enjoy the beauty and peace of a garden.”