Elm Park's Ponds

Elm Park's ponds, conceptually and socially, give the space circulation and continuity.

Ecologically, they does even more. When the City of Worcester purchased Elm Park in 1854, the property was mostly marshland, with opponents of the city's purchase of its first public park space deeming it "too much to pay for a swamp on the outskirts of the village."

The city started developing the property in 1873, building the ponds to naturally drain the marshy landscape. Elm Park technically has three ponds, more formally known as ‘meres’ – a mere is a shallow lake, pond, or wetland – with the north mere being closest to Highland Street, the Lincoln mere the largest and in the middle with the islands, and the south mere being closest to Elm Street.

Elm Park’s ponds have seen diverse recreational use through the park’s storied history, most notably skating and boating.

Elm Park has been arguably one of the city’s most popular skating destinations, so much so that about ten years ago, during the park’s most recent large-scale renovation, a facility was constructed on the Lincoln mere and deemed ‘the skaters refuge.’ During that same renovation, lights were installed to facilitate after-dark recreational use of the north mere, which is a frequent spot for hockey pick-up games.

Boating, in the park’s earlier years, when the ponds were both more scenic and had more depth, was a popular activity. Prior to the installation of the ‘skaters’ refuge,’ a boathouse was located on the same site. About ten years ago, Park Spirit offered canoeing during the Elm Park Summer Concert Series, with canoes, equipment, and staffing support provided by Mass Audubon.

Aerial view of Elm Park looking south, circa 2011 Photo Credit; Telegram & Gazette File Photo

Aerial view of Elm Park with people ice skating on pond, 1887, Photo Credit; Worcester Historical Museum

Winter Ice Skating in Elm Park, 1912, Photo Credit; Worcester Historical Museum

Ice skating at Elm Park, 1953 Photo Credit; Worcester Telegram & Gazette File Photo

Hockey at Elm Park Photo Credit; Worcester Telegram & Gazette File Photo Photo by: Christine Peterson

Vintage postcard of feeding the ducks at Elm Park, with the boat house in the background.

Boat house at Elm Park, 1900, Photo Credit: Worcester Historical Museum Photograph by: E. B. Luce

Boat house at Elm Park, 1902, Photo Credit: Worcester Historical Museum

Boat house at Elm Park after snowstorm, 1972, Photo Credit: Worcester Historical Museum

Vintage postcard of boating at Elm Park, with the boat house in the background.