There was once a time when simple pleasures served a need. Concord, similar to many communities across our great nation, has seen much sadness with wars, pandemics, economic challenges and such. To enjoy a quiet moment reflecting alone or engaged with your friends is indeed very special.
When you are a young child, it is even more special, leaving a very positive impact on your life and certainly many fond childhood memories.
It was early in the history of Concord that our ancestors knew and welcomed the need for recreation within our city. They desired that special place to gather and spend time together within walking distance to the places they lived. It was in 1854, the concept of a park was first visited and supported by many within our community. The City of Concord actually appointed their very first committee to investigate the possibilities of a common or park that could be enjoyed by all residents. There was a parcel available just south of Thorndike Street, including a good amount of frontage on the street. The new committee visited the site and discussed the possibilities for a Thorndike Street Park. Another location was identified as a prospect for a park in Fisherville, the current Penacook area. It was with mixed emotions and some disappointment that the Concord Park Commission decided to not approve either location. The time of parks and commons was not to be.
As our ancestors saw another decade pass, the concept of a park remained on the agenda. The Park Commission remained intact and visited various properties with the thought of a new common ground.
In 1873, the Concord Water Commissioners recommended a location containing a few acres on the city farm near the water works area as a possible park location. It was a very practical suggestion that contained merit and plans continued to evolve. The wooded parcel of land pleasantly situated near the dam at Fisherville was confirmed as a park and officially named Penacook Park in the year 1881. A fence was installed, private donations for improvement were solicited from the community, a pavilion was constructed for musicals and entertainment. A small steamer would pick up passengers at Penacook Park during the summer months and provide refreshing voyages across Penacook Lake. Penacook Park in West Concord was very successful and enjoyed by the citizens. Our very first park was an outstanding success.
The lessons and support derived from the park experience at Penacook Park was closely monitored by both the citizens and the Park Commissioners. In the years following, it was still reported that Penacook Park was very neat and tidy with many residents enjoying activities for years. The concept of parks and commons as well as the concept of a Park Commission was here to stay. The commission name was updated and now called the Committee on Parks and Commons and the very first official board included Lewis Downing, Jr., John M. Hill, Joseph B. Walker, William P. Fiske, Benjamin C. White, Josiah Minot and with Mayor Edgar Woodman ex officio.
In 1884, one of our very prominent citizens quietly observed the progress and early success of Penacook Park. Her desire to help her beloved Concord resulted in a very generous donation that we enjoy to this very day. Armenia S. White conveyed by deed to the city the property located on the north side of Washington Street and Centre Street for a public park. This generous gift was officially accepted by the Committee of Parks and Commons on December 27, 1884, setting the stage for the design and construction of our very own White Park. The donated land witnessed many improvements in the year 1889 with additional donations from Mrs. White as well as additional members of the community and the city treasurer. The Boy’s Playground near the Free Bridge on Main Street was sold in 1890 and the profit recognized was used to purchase additional land for White Park on the north end, adding the land up to Beacon Street. Sensational landscape designs, plantings with paths and roads were designed by famed architect Charles Elliot from Boston. The fine spring, which was an early water source for the early settlers, was preserved and the artificial pond we see today constructed. Mary Baker Eddy donated beautiful swans to inhabit the pond and the people arrived each and every day since to enjoy this wonderful gift from the past.
With the very positive experiences at both Penacook Park and White Park the Committee of Parks and Commons continued to search for additional areas within Concord for potential parks and commons.
In 1891, Mayor Clapp, speaking at his inaugural address, spoke about another opportunity to add another park. He spoke about a pristine and mature forest in the south end of Concord. He boasted that this woodland was certainly very desirable with trees over a century old and in need of preservation. A group of public spirited gentlemen had purchased this property to preserve it and desired to donate the land in memory of the distinguished and honorable Edward H. Rollins, with the stipulation that it would never be sold and nature would be preserved forever. Rollins Park was accepted by the City Council on December 20, 1892, with some improvements made over the years. The Rollins family preferred that this park remain a natural woodland with roads and paths allowing easy access for the citizens of Concord. In 1895, Boston Architect James H. Bowditch conducted a study at Rollins Park, finding that no special attempt should be made to beautify the park. The original plan for woodland preservation should continue. In 1896, a bridge was added to Rollins Park and in 1897, water was first introduced with a drinking fountain for patrons. A rustic shelter was built and benches and tables added in the coming years for the enjoyment sought by those wishing to picnic in nature.
The Committee of Parks and Commons continued to search for additional land that could be utilized as a park or common. The Penacook, White and Rollins parks were all outstanding successes and certainly more parks would benefit the gracious community to a much higher level. The committee searched in vain and was not able to locate additional large parcels for commons and parks in 1895. A decision was made to acquire smaller parcels for smaller parks and commons that could be used by those seeking a quiet moment. The very first small parcel that was acquired and officially recognized as a small park was a triangle of land on North State Street just south of the water pumping station. Some trees and plants were added and the new park maintained. This Park was named Bradley Park and the people living in the north end of Concord were very pleased to have their very own park so close to Fosterville. Another small piece of land was quickly found in the west end of Concord, another triangle lot and rather small, but it was beautified and maintained as another official park in the year 1900. It was named Ridge Avenue.
The outstanding success of finding and developing parks was observed time and again by many people within and outside of our community. The Concord Street Railroad was next in line to develop their very own park while growing their business. Along the banks of the beautiful Contoocook River, we find the Contoocook River Park constructed in the 1890s, the very first privately funded park. It was a marvelous success with people visiting from many states and arriving by train in Concord, then boarding the trolley to Penacook for a day at the park. At the peak, this park was visited by over a thousand people each day. The railroad and trolley enjoyed much success and much profit as the people embraced this very first large-scale attraction and summer resort.
The Committee of Parks and Commons were very pleased with the outstanding success in Penacook at the Contoocook River Park. They continued to remain focused on their very own objective of adding additional parks in Concord, especially small parks that were easy to acquire, groom and maintain. The State Capital Driving Park was next established along Clinton Street, eventually becoming the location of the annual Concord State Fair. Soon after the Clinton Street Park was established, we find the Centennial Park officially opened near the road at the Soucook Bridge. A wonderful natural park for swimming and picnics and only three miles from the State House. This park boasted several acres with shade trees and became a very popular destination on a Sunday afternoon.
If you look back at the history of parks and commons in Concord over the past 140 years you will find some familiar names as well as some names that have long been forgotten. Some of our parks survived and thrived for many decades while some of the smaller parks were simply lost to the years. I have mentioned Ridge Avenue Park in the west end and Bradley Park in the north end. Concord also hosted a Fiske Park, Court House Park, Pecker Park, West Garden Common and State Street Park.
My very own grandfather enjoyed his early years at the John Kimball Playground. Martin Spain would spend his days wandering this park in Fosterville in the year 1918 with his friends. Some of the activities he enjoyed at the park included listening to music on a victrola, folk dancing in the small pavilion, games of volley ball, tennis and certainly playing in the sand pile. The young girls at the park would participate in Red Cross activities and sew dolls that would be donated to the orphanage just in time for Christmas. The summer of 1918 was supervised at John Kimball Park by Miss Marion Silsby, employed by the city to keep the young children safe and in order.
Yes, there certainly was a time when the simple pleasures served a need. Children learned and played together. Simple pleasures that resulted in kind memories that lasted a lifetime.