Holyoke Heritage State Park is history-oriented

state park State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the sub-national level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural ...

located in the city of

Holyoke Holyoke is a city in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States, that lies between the western bank of the Connecticut River and the Mount Tom Range. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 38,238. Located north of Springfield ...

, Massachusetts. The park opened in 1986 on the site of the William Skinner Silk Mill which was lost to fire in 1980. The park is managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation.

Activities and amenities

A visitors center has exhibits about paper manufacturing and Holyoke's industrial and cultural past. The landscaped grounds offer picnicking and views of the city's canals and mill buildings. The

Holyoke Merry-Go-Round The Holyoke Merry-Go-Round (PTC #80) is a historic carousel in Holyoke, Massachusetts. Previously a ride in the city's now-defunct Mountain Park, it was purchased and restored by a volunteer fundraising campaign following the park's closure in ...

( PTC #80), the

Children's Museum at Holyoke The Children's Museum at Holyoke is a children's museum in Holyoke, Massachusetts, featuring participatory art, exhibits related to science, daily life, and an elaborate climbing area. The museum is located Downtown, within Holyoke Heritage State ...

, and the Volleyball Hall of Fame are also located in the park. The park also features its own rail line, a remnant of the former Holyoke & Westfield Railroad, and one of four tourist railroads in the Commonwealth. From 1988 to 1996 the railroad featured regular scenic tours to points outside of the city, however in 2005 the three Pullman cars were sold to the

Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum The Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum is a railroad museum located in Lenox, Massachusetts, United States, that offers historical exhibits. The museum was founded in 1984 as a not-for-profit organization. During the 1980s and 2003-2011 it offered ...

, which continues to operate them with the state park's livery. Today the

Pioneer Valley Railroad The Pioneer Valley Railroad, founded in 1982, is a Class III short line freight railroad operating the former Conrail (née- New York, New Haven & Hartford) trackage in the western part of Massachusetts in towns of Westfield, Holyoke, and ...

provides annual fall foliage passenger rides from the Holyoke Heritage State Park to Westfield, as well as an annual Santa Train.

References

External links

Holyoke Heritage State Park
Department of Conservation and Recreation {{authority control Buildings and structures in Holyoke, Massachusetts State parks of Massachusetts Museums in Hampden County, Massachusetts Industry museums in Massachusetts Parks in Hampden County, Massachusetts Silk mills in the United States Geography of Holyoke, Massachusetts 1986 establishments in Massachusetts Protected areas established in 1986

Activities and amenities

See also

References

External links