Photographed by: Mark Lindhult

Walsh Park

Springfield, Massachusetts

The 5.5-acre park is located at 180 Freeman Street in the Liberty Heights neighborhood of Springfield. Originally the parcel was used by the city to stage landscape materials from other parts of the city. In its most recent iteration, it was used as ballfields, and then eventually was abandoned, with the backstop and bases removed by the city. Walsh Park's new identity transforms the former abandoned ball fields into a multi-faceted park space including: a splash pad, picnic area, new play equipment, a nature trail, urban wilderness refuge, and a renovated softball field.

The Park features the new Hedra play equipment from Landscape Structures with separate play spaces and opportunities for children of all ages and capabilities. An adjacent splash pad is highlighted by colorful kite elements and a collection of ground and wall spray elements to keep everyone cool on hot summer days. A raised picnic grove overlooks the greater park; while the wilderness refuge across the path provides opportunities for exploration and informal play amongst logs salvaged from the site.

The redevelopment of Walsh Park has brought new life to a former vacant field, creating a new destination for Springfield residents and others.