Hubbard Park
Meriden, Connecticut
Hubbard Park is located around East Peak and West Peak of
the area called the Hanging Hills. It comprises approximately 1800
acres of carefully kept woodland, lake and stream, flower gardens, and
picnic spots. Most of the land was given to the city
by Walter Hubbard, who was president of the Bradley & Hubbard Mfg.
Company. He gave it outright with no strings attached, except that
everything connected with the park was to remain free for the people of
Meriden and that no concessions for profit were ever allowed within the
park area. The benefit of no commercialism is one of the many benefits
of the park.
Mr. Hubbard spent a large part of his time and energy creating
the park. He spent between $400,000 and $500,000 to clear land, built
roads, and construct Mirror Lake with the help of Frederick Law Olmstead
who designed New York's Central Park and other famous parks in Chicago,
Montreal and Buffalo. He built a tower on East Peak, known as Castle
Craig, to resemble the towers built by the Turks along the Danube River
in the 12th century.
Mr. Hubbard created a trust fund of $50,000 for the upkeep
of the park. Clarence P. Bradley, the son of his business partner
also set up an equal trust fund for the same purpose. Together these
funds do not create enough income annually to pay for the upkeep of the
land due to the extensive improvements and increased cost of caring for
the facility.
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Hubbard Park became so popular that at times the city
had to distribute permits to Meriden residents so they could visit the
park. |
This park has been named by the National Park Service
as an Historical Place.