Greycourt State Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Greycourt State Park
Grey Court Tenney Gatehouse
Greycourt State Park Location in Massachusetts
Location	Methuen, Essex, Massachusetts, United States
Area	24 acres (9.7 ha)
Established	2001
Governing body	City of Methuen Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
Website	Lawrence Heritage State Park

Greycourt State Park is a fun public park in Methuen, Massachusetts. It covers about 24 acres. This park is special because it's built on the old ruins of a grand estate. It's like a smaller part of Lawrence Heritage State Park. The park is looked after by the City of Methuen and the Department of Conservation and Recreation.

The Story of Greycourt State Park

What was Grey Court?

The main building at Greycourt was once a huge mansion called Grey Court. People also called it the Tenney Castle. A man named Charles H. Tenney started building it in 1890. It was finished in 1892. The mansion looked a lot like a famous castle in France called the Château d'Yquem.

The Fire and the Park's Beginning

Sadly, the beautiful mansion was destroyed by a big fire in 1978. Most of the remaining ruins were taken down in 1985. But a small part of the old building still stands today.

Near the park, you can also see the Tenney Castle Gatehouse. This gatehouse was part of the original estate. Today, it's home to the Methuen Historical Society. It's even listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's an important historical site.

In 2001, the state of Massachusetts decided to make Greycourt a state park. They approved money to fix up the area. This included making it safer for visitors and improving the courtyards.

What Can You Do at Greycourt State Park?

Greycourt State Park is a great place to visit from morning until night.

• You can walk on the pretty trails through the woods.
• Enjoy the beautiful views of the landscape.
• The park also hosts fun events for the city. For example, they have an annual Fall Festival.