Van Horn Park facts for kids
Van Horn Park is a large park located in the northern part of Springfield, Massachusetts. You can find it in the Liberty Heights neighborhood, specifically in an area called Hungry Hill. It's the second biggest park in Springfield! The only park larger than Van Horn Park is Forest Park, which is much bigger at 735 acres.
Fun at Van Horn Park
Van Horn Park is a great place for outdoor activities. It has a lovely pond and river, which are part of the park's charm. You can find places to play baseball and basketball here. Many parts of the park are covered in trees, making it a beautiful and peaceful spot. During the summer, people often gather here for fun celebrations and events.
The Park's Dams
The park has two special structures called dams on the Van Horn Park Pond-River. These dams were built to help create more opportunities for fun and recreation in the park.
Van Horn Park Upper Dam
The Upper Dam is located on the Van Horn Pond River. It was finished in 1957 and is owned by the City of Springfield. This dam is made of earth and helps with recreation in the park. It is about 550 feet long.
Van Horn Park Lower Dam
The Lower Dam is also on the Van Horn Park Pond River, located in Hampden County, Massachusetts. It was also completed in 1957 and belongs to the City of Springfield. This dam is also made of earth and helps hold water, acting like a reservoir. It is longer than the Upper Dam, measuring about 800 feet.
