Fraser Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Fraser Park is a popular recreational area located in the city of Springfield in the state of Massachusetts.


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Summary

The park offers a range of activities and facilities that make it a great destination for visitors of all ages.

One of the main attractions of the park is its large swimming pool, which is open during the summer months and is well-maintained. In addition to the pool, Fraser Park offers various sports facilities, including basketball courts, tennis courts, and a baseball field. There are also playgrounds for children and picnic areas for families and groups.

The park is named after William Fraser, a prominent resident of Springfield who donated the land for the park in the early 20th century. Fraser Park also has historical significance as it was the site of the former Springfield State Hospital. The hospital was built in the 1800s and was used to treat patients with mental illnesses until it was closed in the 1990s.

Visitors to Fraser Park can also explore the nearby Van Horn Park, which is connected to Fraser Park by a footbridge. Van Horn Park has additional sports facilities, as well as walking trails and a pond.

The best time to visit Fraser Park is during the summer months when the swimming pool is open and the weather is warm. However, the park is open year-round and offers opportunities for winter activities such as ice skating.

Overall, Fraser Park is a great destination for families and individuals looking for outdoor recreation and historical interest. Its range of activities and facilities make it a popular spot for locals and visitors alike.

       

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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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