11 spots where you can enjoy nature and more
By Chelsea Spear
listings@hippopress.com
In Hippo’s Best of 2025 readers’ poll, we asked readers to vote for their favorite city parks. With the temperature rising and the days still long, you might be looking for someplace to soak in the sun’s rays or beat the heat. Here are the top 11 winners in that category.
Livingston Park
156 Hooksett Road in Manchester, 624-6444
Amenities: The park, which is about 131 acres, features Dorrs Pond Trail (a trail, a little less than a mile, that loops around the pond); Livingston Pool; an accessible playground; athletic fields; picnic areas; a kayak and canoe launch; a running track; ice skating in winter (weather permitting), restrooms and Brigit’s Garden (a public garden; see brigitsfoundation.org), according to the city’s parks and recreation website.
According to an email from Manchester’s Recreation and Enterprise Manager Brendan Lynch, the green space stands out because “it offers something for everyone. Whether you’re looking to cool off in the pool, enjoy a peaceful walk around the pond, or bring the kids to a vibrant and inclusive playground, the park blends natural beauty with well-maintained amenities.”
The newly finished running track is home to Central High School Track and Field, and the baseball fields are home to Manchester-North Hooksett Little League and Central High School’s JV baseball team. Livingston Pool is currently open for the summer; see manchesternh.gov/Departments/Parks-and-Recreation/Parks-Trails-and-Facilities/Aquatic-Facilities/Livingston-Pool for the lap swim and public swim hours.
Rollins Park
116 Broadway St. in Concord, 225-8690
Amenities: The park features baseball and softball fields, a basketball court, ice skating in winter, a picnic shelter, a playground, a pool, portable toilets, tennis courts and walking fields, according to concordnh.gov. Rollins Park “was a gift of the late governor Frank West Rollins, in memory of a distinguished townsman and senator, the Honorable Edward. H. Rollins,” according to an email from Concord Parks and Recreation Director David Gill.
The park “is the local park for residents of the south end of Concord where everyone knows each other … Just a great neighborhood park,” Gill wrote.
Rollins Pool is open daily from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. as well as 6 to 7:30 p.m. on weekdays and will be home to the citywide swim team the first week of August, according to posts on the parks and recreation department’s Facebook page.
Rollins Park is also home to the monthly Arts in the Park events held by the Concord Arts Market. The events feature more than 65 arts vendors as well as food vendors, live music and more and will run Saturdays Aug. 9, Sept. 13 and Oct. 11, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to concordartsmarket.org.
Rollins will also host the annual National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug. 5, from 5 to 8 p.m. The event, meant to “promote cooperation between the police and the community,” will feature food, prizes, K-9 demonstrations, a zoo exhibit, a rock climbing wall, touch a truck and more, according to the summer and fall activities brochure, which you can find at concordnh.gov/1984/Parks-Recreation.
White Park
1 White St. in Concord, 225-8690, concordnh.gov
Amenities: Soccer and baseball fields, a basketball court, ice skating and sledding in winter, a playground, roller hockey rink, portable toilets, a splash pad and walking trails, according to the city’s website.
White Park played an important role in Concord history. It was given to the city in 1884 by Armenia White in 1884, in memory of her husband Nathaniel, a founder of The American Express Co., and was designed by renowned architect Charles Elliott, according to an email from Gill.
“[White Park has] something for everyone – places to relax and enjoy nature as the park has large pond and over half of the park is trees and open areas,” Gill wrote.
The splash pad, installed in 2023, is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and weekends 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to the parks department’s website.
The park’s Monkey Around Playground was slated to hold its sendoff celebration on July 15 ahead of demolition and construction of a “Monkey Around Playground 2.0,” which is billed as inclusive and featuring interactive elements, according to FriendsofWhitePark.org. See concordnh.gov/1472/White-Park-Playgroundconcordnh.gov/1472/White-Park-Playground for an explanation of the plans.
This summer, catch free concerts in the park at the Lodge Patio on Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. Concerts will run weekly through Aug. 24 and then finish up on Sept. 14 and Sept. 21. Next up is Steve Blunt on July 20.
In the winter, the park hosts the Black Ice Pond Hockey Tournament (see blackicepondhockey.com) and ice skating, with skate rentals available at Merrimack Lodge.
Greeley Park
100 Concord St. in Nashua, 589-3370, nashuanh.gov/facilities/facility/details/greeley-park-29
Amenities: The park features baseball and softball fields, a spot to play horseshoes, lighted picnic areas, a playground, restrooms, sledding in winter, tennis courts, trails and a wading pool, according to its website.
The 125-acre Greeley Park has been at the heart of Nashua since 1896.
“The land was deeded to the city of Nashua by Joseph Thornton Greeley, the grandson of the original Joseph Greeley,” according to an email from Parks Director Lauren Byers. “In 1908, John E. Cotton donated $5,000, an amount that was matched by city funds, to change the Greeley Farm into a public park. The money was used to create a stone and cement rest house, a fountain, a shallow pond, a gravel walk and flower beds.”
Today Greeley Park is a hub of activity, with events scheduled for all ages throughout the year. The Greeley Park Art Show, now in its 72nd year, takes place in August (this year Saturday, Aug. 16, and Sunday, Aug. 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), according to nashuaarts.org/greeleyparkartshow.
Many of the city’s SummerFun events take place in Greeley, including the annual Fairytale Festival, which will be held on Saturday, July 19, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nashua Community Music School holds a “Musical Playgroup” most Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. and the YMCA holds a “Yoga in the Park” on Mondays at 6 p.m. Most Tuesdays through Aug. 26 catch free concerts at the Bandshell, with shows starting at 7 p.m. Next up is Tru Diamond (a Neil Diamond tribute band) on Tuesday, July 22, according to nashuanh.gov/546/SummerFun. Nashua’s National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug. 5, will also be held at Greeley Park, the website said. Greeley events continue into the fall (Halloween Boo Bash is slated for Saturday, Oct. 18, from 3 to 7 p.m.) and winter (Santa in the Park is slated for Saturday, Dec. 6, from noon to 2 p.m.), according to nashuanh.gov/529/Special-Events.
Stark Park
550 River Road in Manchester, starkpark.com
Amenities: Stark Park is “built on land once part of the Stark family farm and the final resting place of John Stark, his wife, and several of their children — one can still visit the headstones today,” according to manchesternh.gov. The park features walking walking paths, a large statue of Revolutionary War hero Gen. John Stark and the Hecker-Hastings Bandstand, the website said.
Stark, of “live free or die” fame (it was written in a toast for the Battle of Bennington), died in 1822, according to the Friends of Stark Park website, starkpark.com. His grandchildren deeded a portion of his farm to the city of Manchester so New Hampshire residents could pay tribute to the fallen major general, the website said.
The western lower half of the 30-acre park consists of the Walk in the Woods trail, ideal for walking, cross-country skiing/snowshoeing and mountain bike riding, according to the city’s website.
“The walking paths, gardens, and tall trees make it a peaceful place to stroll and reflect,” according to the city’s parks director Brendan Lynch in an email. See the Friends’ website for a map of the trails.
An outdoor nature children’s playspace “Molly Stark’s Wildwoods,” named for Gen. Stark’s wife, is located along the trail and features sculptures from Tom LeComte of Laurel Hill Studio, according to the city’s website.
In the summer, check out the Summer Concert Series, mostly on Sundays at 2 p.m., running through Sept. 14 in Stark Park. Next up is a rare Saturday evening show, Mr. Aaron’s Kids Concert on Saturday, July 19, at 5:30 p.m. On Sunday, July 20, Another Tequila Sunrise (an Eagles tribute band) performs from 2 to 4 p.m. See starkpark.com/summer-concert-series for the full lineup.
Twin Bridge Park
485 DW Highway in Merrimack, 882-1046, merrimacknh.gov/parks-and-recreation/pages/twin-bridge-park
Amenities: Picnic tables, walking paths, Kids Kove Playground and baseball fields, according to the city’s website.
Since the Colonial era, there have been two bridges that locals use to cross Baboosic Brook. In 1927 a committee of Merrimack residents deeded 27 acres to the town to create Twin Bridge Park, according to the city’s website. They retained the massive stones used for the original bridge abutments and built a park around it, the website said. The Merrimack Youth Association, the city’s sports programs, has its headquarters at Twin Bridge Park; see merrimackyouthassociation.com.
“On a daily basis [the park] is humming with activity between the playground, the baseball field and the walking trails,” said Merrimack Parks Director Matthew Casparius in an email, “so it has a good all-around appeal for all ages.”
Mine Falls Park
Whipple Street in Nashua, 589-3400, ext. 5005, nashuanh.gov/facilities/facility/details/Mine-Falls-Park-14
Amenities: The park features athletic fields, trails including biking and walking trails, boating, fishing and in the winter cross-country skiing, according to the city’s website.
“Mine Falls makes you forget you are in the second biggest city in the state,” according to an email from Nashua Parks Director Lauren Byers. This 325-acre park includes forest, wetlands and open fields and is bordered on the north by the Nashua River and at the south by the Mill Pond canal system, according to the city’s website. These natural barriers keep the park quiet and give it an idyllic feel, as once explained by a tour guide.
Mine Falls is not only “one of the most instantly recognizable and vital parts of Nashua,” as Byers described it, but it’s also one of the newest parks to make Hippo’s list. The city of Nashua purchased the land in 1969, and the park was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987, according to the city’s website. “In 1992, the park trails were designed as part of the New Hampshire Heritage Trail, a trail network that extends 130 miles from Massachusetts to Canada,” the website said.
Hippo readers also picked Mine Falls Park as a favorite in the Best Bike Trail category. Find a map of the park’s trails on the city’s website. The Mine Falls Committee also hosts Trail Days to help maintain the space, the website said. Upcoming dates are Saturdays, Aug. 16, Sept. 27 and Oct. 25, with the group meeting at the Lincoln Park entrance at 9 a.m., the website said.
Derryfield Park
Bridge Street in Manchester, manchesternh.gov/Departments/Parks-and-Recreation/Parks-Trails-and-Facilities/Parks/Derryfield-Park
Amenities: The park features a playground, sports fields, tennis courts and walking trails. A map on the city’s website shows a 1-mile, a 2.1-mile and a 5K course at the park.
Derryfield Park has played a vital role in the Hillsborough County community since the 1700s, when the park grounds were likely used as a pasture for livestock, according to the city’s website. After Derry and Londonderry were settled in the early 1800s, the city of Manchester claimed the 76 acres and developed it, the website said. The park is “one of the more popular parks in Manchester today,” the website said.
One of the most significant sites in the park is the Weston Tower Observatory, which was built in honor of New Hampshire governor James A. Weston, the website said. While Weston Tower is usually locked, the Halloween event “The Witch of Weston Tower” run by the nearby McIntyre Ski Area in recent years has allowed visitors to climb the stairs to check out the views.
Wagner Park aka “Pretty Park”
242 Myrtle St. in Manchester, 624-6444, manchesternh.gov/Departments/Parks-and-Recreation/Parks-Trails-and-Facilities/Parks/Wagner-Park
Amenities: The park features benches, a gazebo and a Greek-style temple, the website said.
In an email, Manchester Parks Director Brendan Lynch described the park as “a hidden treasure in the North End — a small, well-loved neighborhood park that’s perfect for casual family outings.”
Known by many in Manchester as “Pretty Park,” Wagner was created by Manchester native Ottilie Wagner Hosser, who willed the land she lived on to the city, requesting them to build a park of “Peace and Love” because the city already had enough parks that commemorated wars and military leaders, according to the city’s website. The park was modeled after one of her favorite parks in Paris and has become a favorite location for graduation and wedding pictures, the website said.
Prescott Park
105 Marcy St., Portsmouth, 610-7208; portsmouthnh.gov/prescottpark
Amenities: Prescott features gardens (as well as free garden tours Fridays at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. through Aug. 22), Four Tree Island (a picnic area with grills and restrooms; spots can be reserved for larger parties), the “Whale” sculpture and an outdoor stage for Prescott Park Arts Festival programming.
A 10-acre park on the banks of the Piscquata River, Prescott Park is a hub of activity in the Portsmouth community.
“It’s the perfect spot to take a stroll, eat lunch or catch a show,” said Todd Henley, the Parks Director for the City of Portsmouth, in an email. The Prescott Park Arts Festival offers a summer-long lineup of music, movies and theater, including the season-long production of Freaky Friday; see prescottpark.org for a schedule of events.
City horticulture interns answer questions and offer gardening tips during the Friday tours of the Park’s formal gardens, according to the city’s website. The park overlooks the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, the nation’s oldest continuously operating U.S. navy yard, the website said.
Benson Park
19 Kimball Hill Road, Hudson, 886-6018, friendsofbensonpark.org
Amenities: The park features 4 miles of hiking trails, fishing ponds, gardens, picnic areas, wildlife viewing blinds, the Hudson Firefighters Memorial, the 9/11 Memorial, bathrooms, a dog park and a playground, according to hudsonnh.gov/bensonpark.
Benson Park commemorates a different kind of history than many of the parks on this list. From 1926 to 1987 the land was home to Benson’s Wild Animal Farm, a zoo and amusement park that was attended by families throughout New England, according to the Friends of Benson Park website. Twenty years after the zoo closed, the town of Hudson reopened it as a town park, and some of the zoo’s attractions — like the Old Woman’s Shoe and the elephant barn — have been repaired by the Friends of Benson Park, the website said.
Find maps of Benson’s trails, which range in length from .1 mile to 2.5 miles, on the city’s website.
Through Aug. 29 Benson Park holds a “hide-and-seek adventure” featuring Barney the Gnome, who will be in a new spot each week Saturday through Friday, according to the Friends of Benson Park Facebook page. The Friends will also hold a Family Fun Day on Saturday, Sept. 20, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., a post said.
