Holyoke Heritage State Park

Holyoke Heritage State Park is a seven-acre park built on a former mill site with a visitor center, landscaped walking paths, and restored industrial buildings. You can stroll past historic canals and mill structures that show how water power shaped the town's development.

The park opened in 1986 on the former William Skinner Silk Mill site as a way to preserve the town's manufacturing past. Its creation marked a shift toward honoring how water-powered mills once shaped Holyoke's growth and prosperity.

The park houses the Holyoke Merry-Go-Round and Volleyball Hall of Fame, where you can see exhibits about local sports traditions and how the town developed its identity through different crafts. These institutions reflect what the community valued and created over generations.

The park offers ample free parking on the grounds and is accessible by foot with mostly level walking paths. The layout is straightforward, making it easy to navigate between the visitor center, outdoor trails, and historic structures at your own pace.

The Pioneer Valley Railroad operates seasonal train rides from here to Westfield, including fall foliage tours and a Santa Train experience in winter. These trips connect the park to the broader railroad heritage of the region and offer a different way to see the landscape.

Location: Massachusetts

Inception: 1986

Website: https://mass.gov/locations/holyoke-heritage-state-park

GPS coordinates: 42.20530,-72.60690

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:08