Holyoke Heritage State Park
State park in Massachusetts, United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Holyoke Heritage State Park is history-oriented state park located in the city of Holyoke, Massachusetts.[2] The park opened in 1986[3] on the site of the William Skinner Silk Mill which was lost to fire in 1980.[4] The park is managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation.
| Holyoke Heritage State Park | |
|---|---|
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  Holyoke Heritage State Park Location within Massachusetts  Holyoke Heritage State Park Location within the United States | |
| Location | Holyoke, Massachusetts, United States |
| Coordinates | 42°12′18″N 72°36′26″W |
| Area | 7 acres (2.8 ha)[1] |
| Elevation | 115 ft (35 m) |
| Established | 1986 |
| Administrator | Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation |
| Website | Official website  |
Activities and amenities
A visitors center has exhibits about paper manufacturing and Holyoke's industrial and cultural past. The landscaped grounds offer picnicking and views of the city's canals and mill buildings. The Holyoke Merry-Go-Round (PTC #80), the Children's Museum at Holyoke, and the Volleyball Hall of Fame are also located in the park.[2]
The park also features its own rail line, a remnant of the former Holyoke & Westfield Railroad, and one of four tourist railroads in the Commonwealth. From 1988 to 1996 the railroad featured regular scenic tours to points outside of the city,[5] [6] however in 2005 the three Pullman cars were sold to the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum, which continues to operate them with the state park's livery.[7] Today the Pioneer Valley Railroad provides annual fall foliage passenger rides from the Holyoke Heritage State Park to Westfield, as well as an annual Santa Train.[8][9]
