As I walk the paths, hills and valleys of White Park this beautiful winter day I observe a dream that was planted almost a century and a half before. It was the vision of our forefathers to establish this utopia for the generations that would follow. It was not just a regular piece of land, it was a place for people to connect with nature on so many different levels. Certainly the location was very central and convenient for Concord residents, but the thoughts of creating a place that would stimulate the senses was the destination of the creators. Each path, observation point with views, ponds, assortment of tree varieties, flowers and wildlife was part of the plan. The views, the scents, the sounds and the feelings were all considered with each and every step of the plan. I still witness the wildlife living in White Park on this winter day in the form of the grey squirrel, this loving animal that we randomly see each and every day. Our ancestors enjoyed their friendly grey squirrels that lived in the park and planned for their futures too.

The citizens of Concord have been most fortunate to enjoy benefactors that recognized the need for both recreation and relaxation. Armenia White donated her 25-acre parcel of land to build White Park in 1884, decades before the popularity of recreation was discussed. We are also fortunate to have many wonderful parks around Concord. Rollins Park offered early recreation to those living in the south end of the city while Concord politicians continued to further develop outdoor opportunities for the young. It was just five years prior to the recreation efforts of 1924 that Concord planned, organized and established the Winter Carnival which was a community event requiring little funding from the city budget and much participation from our ancestors and their employers. The young high school boys participating in woodworking shop classes at the Morrill Training School in Concord built two massive toboggan slides at a cost of $500 with the Concord Light Company providing electric lights on poles so that the toboggan slide could be enjoyed late into the night. Yes, the community was engaged at every level.

In the year 1913, New Hampshire only reported one official playground with the year 1924 seeing 34 official playgrounds and five community centers under the supervision of 68 workers, seven being employed full time. The average daily attendance at New Hampshire playgrounds in the year 1913 was just 300 children. By the year 1924, the average daily attendance at playgrounds and recreation centers in New Hampshire was up to 4,812 children. The bygone days of the late 1800s and early 1900s when local unsupported areas called “sand gardens” by many were used by children were now simply a thing of the past.

It was in 1924 that New Hampshire officially recognized the need for recreation for the residents. The politicians discovered there was more to recreation than just the healthy air and beautiful scenery that surrounds people fortunate enough to live in the Granite State. It was less than two decades prior to the year 1924 when Theodore Roosevelt planted the seed for recreation in the United States. It was in 1906 Roosevelt and his supporters officially formed an organization called the Recreation Association of America. The year after Roosevelt and his associates formed the Recreation Association of America the statistics tell us there were only 2,402 playgrounds for children in America, many cities not having a single location for the young to enjoy city managed recreation. As with most programs and policies, if the concept is a good one, the people will support the efforts and the numbers will grow. Our ancestors were indeed interested in recreation and the statistics for a decade later in 1923 tell us there were in fact 6601 playgrounds and recreation centers, much more than twice the amount in a short decade. It is a fact that our ancestors in the United States spent $14,000,000. on recreation and playgrounds in the year 1924. New Hampshire heard the call, witnessed the national development spurred by the Recreation Association of America and launched efforts to participate in the popularity of building playgrounds and recreation centers in a more aggressive manner.

As I continue to enjoy my walk about White Park, I remain captivated in this place our ancestors have bequeathed to us. I rest at a bench overlooking the frozen pond and feed peanuts to the grey squirrels that have gathered in anticipation of yet another meal.

It was in the year 1906 our ancestors continued to allow White Park to evolve, like a live document unfolding before them modern uses were materializing each in every year. Baseball was very popular and the after dinner Sunset League never failed to draw a large crowd. Bird watchers walked the same paths I walk today and many squirrels still gather around for a treat. Park officials placed much emphasis on the grey squirrels in particular, bringing a cage of grey squirrels to White Park during the summer of 1906 for the enjoyment of the children and adults walking the trails. The caged squirrels received a bounty of peanuts and certainly were a very entertaining bunch. The squirrel exposition became so popular during the summer of 1906 park officials decided to take the squirrels to the next level. With much anticipation and adolescent celebration, it was announced the park would host the grey squirrel from this day forward, the cages were opened and the squirrels were set free. The children were filled with glee as grey squirrel after grey squirrel ran for the trees and bushes scattered around our beloved White Park. So it was in 1906, White Park hosted just a little more wildlife, the grey squirrel joined the swans, fish and the occasional deer.

As I conclude my winter walk here at White Park this cold winter day, I bid the numerous grey squirrels a fond farewell. My paper bag once filled with peanuts is empty and my grey squirrels have now lost interest in my visit. I can only wonder if the many grey squirrels scurrying about White Park this day are in fact the descendants of the once caged squirrels released here during the summer of 1906. My grandfather walked about White Park in 1906 as a child, I hope he was here the day the squirrels were released and held this kind childhood memory close to his heart for the remainder of his years.

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