Walnut Hill Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Walnut Hill Park
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | W. Main St., New Britain, Connecticut |
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| Area | 98 acres (40 ha) |
| Built | 1870 |
| Architect | Olmsted, Fredrick Law; Magonigle, H. Van Buren |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival, Modern Movement |
| NRHP reference No. | 82001000 |
| Added to NRHP | November 30, 1982 |
Walnut Hill Park is a big public park in New Britain, Connecticut. It's located just west of the city center. This park started being developed in the 1860s.
It was one of the first projects by a famous park designer named Frederick Law Olmsted. He designed the park with winding paths, a special stage for music (called a band shell), and a monument to soldiers from World War I. Walnut Hill Park was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. This means it's an important historical place in the United States.
Contents
Discovering Walnut Hill Park's History
How Did Walnut Hill Park Begin?
The land that is now Walnut Hill Park was once a bare hillside. A group of important citizens bought this land in 1857. In 1858, they built a large water storage area, called a reservoir, there. It was meant to help provide water for fighting fires.
However, the reservoir didn't work very well for its purpose. It was officially closed in 1912 and later filled in.
Who Designed Walnut Hill Park?
The city of New Britain hired Frederick Law Olmsted to design the park's landscape. Olmsted was from Hartford. At that time, he was just starting his work with another designer, Calvert Vaux. Together, they created many famous parks.
The land for the park was officially given to the city in 1867. In 1870, the city bought more land, making the park about 90 acres big. A person named Cornelius B. Erwin, who was one of the original owners, gave money to the city to help take care of the park.
When Was the Park Built?
Most of the park's roads were built between 1870 and 1872. However, work stopped because of a money crisis in 1873, known as the financial Panic of 1873.
In 1919, the city decided that Walnut Hill Park would be the home for its World War I memorial. This memorial is a special structure designed by H. Van Buren Magonigle. It was put in place in 1928. Olmsted had actually planned this exact spot for a tall tower, just north of where the reservoir used to be.
Exploring Walnut Hill Park's Layout
What Does the Park Look Like?
The eastern part of Walnut Hill Park has many hills. There's also a flatter area where the reservoir used to be. This reservoir area was later changed into a small wading pool. Eventually, it was completely filled in and became an oval-shaped space with more formal gardens.
The western part of the park is flatter. Here, you can find different sports fields. It's also home to the Darius Miller Band Shell, which is a stage for concerts and performances.
How Can You Enter the Park?
There are seven different ways to enter Walnut Hill Park. The main entrance is at the northeast corner, on West Main Street.
