Buttonwood Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Buttonwood Park is a 97-acre urban park located in New Bedford, Massachusetts.


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Summary

It has numerous attractions that make it a popular destination for visitors. The park is home to a large pond, a greenhouse, a zoo, a playground, and sports facilities. There is also a walking path that circles the pond, which is popular among joggers and walkers.

One of the main attractions in Buttonwood Park is the zoo. The zoo is home to a variety of animals, including bison, llamas, monkeys, and exotic birds. There is also a petting zoo where visitors can interact with some of the animals.

Another attraction in Buttonwood Park is the greenhouse. The greenhouse is home to a variety of exotic plants and flowers, including orchids, cacti, and ferns. There is also a butterfly exhibit that is open during the summer months.

Visitors to Buttonwood Park can also enjoy a variety of sports facilities, including tennis courts, basketball courts, and a baseball field. There is also a playground for children.

The best time to visit Buttonwood Park is during the summer months when the weather is warm and the park is in full bloom. However, the park is open year-round and is a popular destination during the fall when the leaves change color.

In conclusion, Buttonwood Park is a beautiful urban park in Massachusetts that offers a variety of attractions for visitors. Whether you are interested in animals, plants, or sports, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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