Goodwin Park

A Piece of History

Spread across 237 acres between Hartford and Wethersfield, Connecticut, Goodwin Park has been a local treasure since 1895, officially opening its gates to the public in 1901. Originally dubbed South Park, it was later renamed to honor Reverend Francis Goodwin, the dedicated chairman of the Hartford Parks Commission who helped bring this green space to life.

The creative minds at the Olmsted, Olmsted & Eliot firm - yes, the same Olmsted behind Central Park - crafted the park's design. Developed in 1900, the plan called for a grand central meadow framed by tree plantations, with individual trees and small clusters scattered across the open ground - a careful composition meant to look natural rather than arranged. The result is the impressive 90-acre Great Meadow, a gently rolling lawn embraced by groves of native trees, anchored by a small water feature to the east.

Nature's Canvas

Just east of the meadow, you'll come across a charming four-acre pond created by damming a local river. The park expanded in 1927 with an additional 37 acres added to the southeast corner, allowing for extensions to the golf course and the addition of a second pond.

The wooded areas that circle the golf course aren't just pretty - they serve as natural buffers for the park's recreational spaces. These thoughtfully preserved natural elements stay true to the original vision of the Olmsted Brothers, creating a seamless blend of designed landscape and natural beauty.

Recreation Through the Ages

Goodwin Park has evolved with the times. A nine-hole golf course took shape on the Great Meadow in 1906, with nine more holes added in 1911. During the 1920s and World War II, the meadow even served as an airfield before the park settled into its current form.

Today, golf enthusiasts can enjoy a 27-hole golf course that stretches nearly a mile down the center of the park from north to south. It breaks down into two distinct layouts: the South Course, a full 18-hole round measuring 6,015 yards, and the nine-hole North Course - sometimes called the "flat nine" - which is geared toward beginners and is considered the oldest municipal nine-hole course in the country.

Something for Everyone

Beyond golf, Goodwin Park offers a variety of recreational options. You can serve up some competition on the tennis courts, shoot hoops at the basketball courts, or catch a game at the softball fields. The open fields scattered within the park regularly host community soccer games as well.

Families with little ones will appreciate the well-maintained playground, and on hot summer days, the swimming pool offers a refreshing place to cool down.

Holiday Lights Fantasia

Every December, the park takes on a completely different character when it transforms into the Holiday Lights Fantasia. Around one million illuminated structures line the park's interior road, and thousands of cars wind through the display each year to take it all in. Running since 1999, it has become a firmly established Greater Hartford tradition that brings a very different kind of crowd than the park sees during the warmer months.

A Community Cornerstone

Tucked among residential neighborhoods, Goodwin Park provides an accessible green space for both locals and out-of-towners. Whether you're looking for an active afternoon of sports, a peaceful nature walk, or just a spot for a family picnic, this historic park has been a community fixture for generations.