Hartness Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Hartness Park is a beautiful park located in Springfield, Vermont.


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Summary

This park is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike due to its stunning scenery and various recreational activities. The park spans over 300 acres and features a variety of trails for hiking, biking, and walking. Visitors can also enjoy fishing, picnicking, and relaxing by the park's pond.

One of the most unique features of Hartness Park is the Hartness House Telescope, a massive telescope that was built in the early 1900s by former Springfield resident James Hartness. This telescope is still functional and visitors can schedule a viewing appointment to see the stars and planets up close.

Other notable attractions in Hartness Park include the Hartness Mansion, a historic home that has been restored and is available for tours, and the Hartness Airport, which has been in operation since the 1920s.

The best time to visit Hartness Park is during the summer months when the weather is warm and the park is in full bloom. However, the park is also beautiful during the fall, when the leaves change color and create a stunning display of autumn colors.

Overall, Hartness Park is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Vermont. Its natural beauty, unique attractions, and recreational activities make it a perfect spot for families, couples, and solo travelers 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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