Stark Park facts for kids
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Stark Park
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Statue of John Stark by Richard Recchia, 1948
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 Location in New Hampshire
Location in the United States
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| Location | Bounded by N. River Rd., Park Ave., and Merrimack River, Manchester, New Hampshire |
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| Area | 30 acres (12 ha) |
| Built | 1892 |
| NRHP reference No. | 06000505 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | June 14, 2006 |
Stark Park is a cool city park in Manchester, New Hampshire. It's about 30 acres (the size of 22 football fields!) and sits between River Road and the Merrimack River. This land was once part of a much bigger farm owned by John Stark. He was a famous hero from the American Revolutionary War.
Stark Park is a really important historical spot. It was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 2006. It also joined the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places in 2010.
Discovering Stark Park
This park is a special place where history meets nature. It offers a peaceful green space for everyone to enjoy. You can explore its paths and learn about its past.
A Look Back: Park History
Stark Park officially opened in 1893. This makes it one of the oldest parks in Manchester. Only Derryfield Park is older! When it was first designed, it looked like a typical park from the Victorian era. It had winding paths, open grassy areas, and pretty gardens.
Long ago, tall elm trees lined the park's edges. Sadly, a tree sickness called Dutch Elm disease caused them to disappear. Some of the park's old paths and views have also become a bit wilder since it was first created.
Who Was John Stark?
The most important part of the park is the Stark Burial Ground. This is where John Stark and some of his family members are buried. John Stark was a brave general who fought for America's freedom. He died in 1822. His family put up a memorial stone called an obelisk in 1829.
John Stark's family used to own a huge amount of land here. It was about 800 acres! In 1876, Stark's great-grandchildren gave the city about 2 acres of land. This area included the family cemetery. People in the 1880s really wanted a bigger park to honor Stark. So, in 1891, the family gave another 28 acres to the city.
The first plans for the park were made by Morton & Quimby. They were landscape designers from Boston, Massachusetts. Stark Park was officially opened on June 17, 1893.
