Stanley Park (Westfield, Massachusetts)

Stanley Park in a non-profit privately owned park including an arboretum and botanical garden, located in Westfield, Massachusetts. It is open to the public daily without charge from May to November.,[1][2] and although the park is closed during the winter people can still enter the park at their own risk. The duck pond area, is monitored 24/7 with three security cameras, that you can access on the park's website page [3] These security cameras were installed about 6 months after three teenagers killed a Muscovy Duck, in November 2011. Westfield Bank donated the security cameras, after public outcry that the park did not have any surveillance on the duck pond area.

Greylag Goose
Goose @ the duck pond
Stanley Park
Pond
Dinosaur tracks
Waterfall

In 2017 a volunteer at the park created a memorial sign to be placed in sight of the life size bronze statue, so people would know why there is a statue there, and can read more about it if they scanned the QR code with their phone.[4]

List of animals that live at the duck pond
  • Two American black ducks
  • Two Pekin ducks
  • One male mute swan
  • Two Brecon Buff geese - one male, one female
  • Two snow geese - one male, one female
  • Two mix bred geese species unknown - both male
  • And sometimes countless mallard ducks

Occasionally there will be a wood duck pair that visits the pond during winter, and some great blue herons will visit late spring - mid summer.

There used to be a greylag goose whom lived at the pond up until November 2, 2018, when he passed away due to old age. He was approximately 30 – 35 years old, according to the previous director of Stanley Park.

The park was established in 1945 by the philanthropist Frank Stanley Beveridge (1879–1956). It includes a number of gardens, listed below, as well as a playground, soccer fields, tennis courts, picnic area, wildlife sanctuary, colonial pond, covered bridge, and blacksmith shop.

  • American Wildflower Society Display Garden - indigenous shade-tolerant New England wildflowers, with peak season in early May.
  • Arboretum (1,000 acres) - trees and shrubs with a 30-foot (9.1 m) fountain.
  • Bog garden
  • Herb garden - fragrant, culinary, and medicinal herbs; mid-May through mid-October.
  • Asian garden and teahouse - alpine conifers, rhododendrons, azaleas, and flowering deciduous shrubs with an authentic bamboo Japanese Tea House. Peak season mid-May through mid-June.
  • Rhododendron Display Garden - hundreds of rare species, sponsored by the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society, with peak season mid-May through early June.
  • Rose Gardens - Over 50 varieties and 2,500 bushes. Winner of the "Outstanding Public Rose Garden" Award from All-America Rose Selections.

Stanley Park is located on Western Avenue in the suburban town of Westfield, Massachusetts. It was founded by its benefactor Frank Stanley Beveridge in 1949. The park began on a 25-acre (100,000 m2) plot, but now spans 300 acres (1.2 km2) with multiple gardens, trails, and playing fields.[5] It is only a short walking distance from Westfield State University, located across Western Avenue to the northwest from Stanley Park.

History of Frank Stanley Beveridge
Angel Of Independence Statue

Frank Stanley Beveridge was born in Nova Scotia, Canada in 1879, and he moved to western Massachusetts in 1900 to attend Mount Hermon School in Northfield. After graduating, he travelled to New York where he married and began a family. At this time, Beveridge was very successful in his work and began Stanley Home Products in Westfield, MA. The company is known today as Stanhome, Inc. He founded the Frank Stanley Beveridge Foundation in 1947, to both perform charitable works and to further his legacy. He founded Stanley Park in 1949, on 25 acres (100,000 m2) of land at 400 Western Ave, Westfield. After his death in 1956, the foundation still honors his contributions to the community.[5]

General information

Stanley Park’s hours of operation are from 7:00 am until nightfall everyday. It is open beginning on the first Saturday in May, and closes for the season on the last Sunday in November. The park is open to the public and does not charge for admission.[2]

Stanley Park features multiple natural walking trails, throughout the woods and along the Little River, as well as leading to a variety of ponds, gardens, and wildlife sanctuary. Along with experiencing nature, Stanley Park features operating mills, a meetinghouse, blacksmith shop, Asian tea house, and dinosaur tracks. Stanley Park is also an excellent choice for recreation, with many playing fields, cross country course, a playground, and pavilions.

Park attractions

Primary points of interest
  • Arboretum - Approximately 5 acres (20,000 m2) of land; many trees, shrubs, as well as a 30 ft (9.1 m) fountain
  • Carillon Tower - 98 feet (30 m) high tower, inside there are 25 English bells, 61 Flemish carillon bells, an electric organ; tower has two bronze doors with 14 relief sculptures on them
  • Colonial Pond - Many ducks and swans, two functioning mills: the Old Mill and Water Mill, and a quaint Covered Bridge
  • Rose Garden - More than fifty roses species and 2,500 bushes
  • Wildlife Sanctuary - 198 acres (0.80 km2) of trails running beside Little River

Other attractions[6]
  • ADA Playscape
  • Angel Of Independence Statue
  • Asian Garden/Tea House
  • Basketball Courts
  • Beveridge Pavilion
  • Blacksmith Shop
  • Carriage Shed
  • Cathy’s Garden and Pavilion
  • Cross Country Course
  • Dinosaur Tracks
  • Dorthy Perkins Garden
  • Duck Pond
  • Enchanted Oak
  • Eternal Light, dedicated by Clare Boothe Luce
  • Evelyn B. Rose Garden
  • Frog Pond
  • Herb Garden
  • Lacrosse and Soccer Fields
  • Meeting House
  • Mill Shop
  • Recreation Picnic Area
  • Rhododendron Display Garden
  • Shrine Area
  • The Reeds
  • Tennis Courts
  • Woodland Wildflower Garden

Events

Carillon concerts

Stanley Park holds annual Carillon concerts every first and third Sunday each month. These concerts take place from May to November; beginning at 3:00 pm and ending at 4:00 pm.[7]

Friday Mornings for Children

Stanley Park offers various children’s activities during the summer on Friday mornings. These include story telling, skits, and puppets.[8]

Zoo on the Go

Stanley Park hosts a travelling zoo on three occasions during the summer. Children may pet and ask zookeepers questions about the animals during the event.[9]

Wheel Walk

An annual Wheel Walk to promote accessibility at the park. Food and games provided.[10]

See also
  • List of botanical gardens in the United States

References
  1. "Frequently Asked Questions???". Stanley Park Website. Archived from the original on November 8, 2010. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
  2. "General Information". Stanley Park Website. Archived from the original on November 30, 2010. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
  3. Stanley Park website
  4. The story of Ozzie the beloved duck
  5. "The Beveridge Family Foundation, Inc". Beveridge.org. Retrieved 2010-03-04.
  6. "Major Points of Interest". Stanley Park. Archived from the original on 2010-05-21. Retrieved 2010-03-04.
  7. "Carillon Concerts". Stanley Park. 2009-11-15. Archived from the original on 2011-07-25. Retrieved 2010-03-04.
  10. "Wheel Walk". Stanley Park. Archived from the original on 2010-09-11. Retrieved 2010-03-04.

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