Lincoln Park

Historic Origins

Lincoln Park is a historic 68-acre urban park located in downtown Albany, New York. Established in 1900, it has served as the primary outdoor recreation resource for the city for over a century.

The park sits mostly in a large basin carved by the former Beaver Kill stream, which once flowed through the area. Its history dates back to 1626, when it was the site of a skirmish between Dutch settlers and Mohawk Native Americans.

In the 19th century, the area contained brickyards and breweries before being transformed into Albany's first public playground. The park was officially designed in 1914 by landscape architect Charles Downing Lay.

Notable Features

Lincoln Park features Albany's only outdoor non-wading swimming pool, which was constructed in 1930 during the Great Depression. The historic pool and its associated bathhouse are listed on both the New York State and National Registers of Historic Places.

The pool has been a centerpiece of the park, teaching swimming to over 60,000 children across four generations. The park's landscape includes gently rolling hills, manicured lawns, and trees, with some areas maintained in a more natural state.

It offers scenic views of the Empire State Plaza and serves as an important green space in the urban environment. Within the park grounds is the James Hall Office, a National Historic Landmark, and the Thomas O'Brien Academy of Science and Technology (TOAST), an elementary school.

Community Significance

Lincoln Park hosts various recreational activities and club-sport events throughout the year. It has been the site of numerous festivals, concerts, and community gatherings.

An annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day observance concludes with a march to the park's King Monument.

In recent years, the City of Albany has undertaken efforts to revitalize and improve Lincoln Park, including plans to address long-standing issues with the pool and enhance the park's amenities while preserving its historical significance.