Lowell Heritage State Park, State park in Lowell, Massachusetts, United States
Lowell Heritage State Park is a state park in Lowell, Massachusetts, situated along the Merrimack River and centered on a network of historic canals built to power textile mills. Factory buildings, waterways, and open green spaces make up the grounds, which visitors can explore on foot along a series of connected paths.
The site was designated a state park in 1974, at a time when the old mill buildings were at risk of being demolished or left to decay. That early move to protect the area paved the way for the creation of Lowell National Historical Park in 1978, one of the first urban national parks in the country.
The park's name reflects Lowell's identity as one of the first planned industrial cities in the United States. Along the canal paths, information panels tell the stories of the immigrant workers who came from Ireland, Canada, Greece, and many other countries to work in the mills.
The park has several entry points along Pawtucket Boulevard, and free parking is available near Market Mills. The paths vary in surface, from gravel to old paving stones, so sturdy footwear makes the visit easier.
The Sampas Pavilion inside the park is named after the family of Stella Sampas, who was the wife of Lowell-born writer Jack Kerouac. The pavilion sits right beside one of the historic canals, which forms a natural backdrop for the open-air concerts held there in summer.
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