Frear Park facts for kids

Frear Park is a fun city park located in Troy, New York. It first opened its doors in 1917, thanks to a generous gift of land from the Frear Family. The park has grown quite a bit since then and now covers a huge area of 247 acres (about 1 square kilometer)! You can find lots to do here, like walking on nature trails, playing tennis, hitting some golf balls, or even ice skating.

The Story of Frear Park

The Frear Family, who generously gave the land for the park, originally lived in France. Their family name there was 'Frere'. They moved to England to escape the troubles in France during World War I. When they moved, their family name was changed to 'Frear'.

Over the years, many cool things were added to the park. A beautiful fountain was built in 1924. The park's golf course, which started with 9 holes, was finished in the spring of 1931. It was later made bigger, becoming a full 18-hole course in 1964.

A restaurant was opened in the park in 1935. This gave visitors a nice place to eat and relax. Much later, in 1980, the park added an ice rink. This made the park a great place to visit all year round, even in winter!

Fun Things to Do at Frear Park

Frear Park is packed with exciting activities for everyone. It's a great place to spend a day with friends or family.

Golf Course Fun

The park has a large 18-hole golf course. It's 6,903 yards long and is known for being a great place to play golf. In 2003, Hudson Valley Magazine even said it was the best golf course in the Upper Valley! Each year, two big golf events are held here: the Rensselaer County Men's Golf Tournament and the Mayor's Cup.

Ice Skating and Hockey

When it's cold enough, the park's ice rink is a popular spot. You can go public skating with your friends. The rink also hosts ice hockey programs for both kids and adults. These programs are run by the Troy Albany Youth Hockey Association.

Park Pub Restaurant

After playing, you might get hungry! The Park Pub Catering & Restaurant has been around since 1935. It was made even bigger in the 1980s. The pub serves yummy American food. You can enjoy things like chicken wings, pizza, and club sandwiches.

Other Cool Spots

Besides golf and ice skating, Frear Park has lots more to offer:

• Tennis courts for a friendly match.
• Softball fields where you can play a game.
• Picnic areas perfect for lunch outdoors.
• A playground for younger kids to enjoy.
• A pretty pagoda, which is a type of decorative building.
• Two lovely lakes, named Wright and Bradley, where you can relax by the water.