Dana L. Thompson Memorial Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Dana L.
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Summary
Thompson Memorial Park is located in Manchester, Vermont and is a popular destination for both tourists and locals. The park offers a variety of activities for visitors of all ages, including hiking trails, picnic areas, a playground, and a swimming pool.
One of the main attractions in the park is the Equinox Pond, which is a great spot for fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing. The pond is home to a variety of fish, including bass and trout, as well as a number of bird species.
Another popular feature of the park is the Manchester Recreation Center, which offers a range of activities and programs for visitors. The center includes an indoor pool, a fitness center, and a variety of classes and workshops.
In addition to these attractions, visitors can also explore the park's many hiking trails, which offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, foxes, and birds of prey, making it a great destination for nature lovers.
The best time to visit the park is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and the park's many outdoor activities are in full swing. However, the park is also open in the winter months, offering visitors the chance to explore its snowy trails and enjoy winter sports like skiing and snowshoeing.
Overall, Dana L. Thompson Memorial Park is a great destination for anyone looking to enjoy the natural beauty of Vermont and participate in a variety of outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful hike in the woods or an afternoon spent fishing on the pond, there's something for everyone in this beautiful park.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
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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