City of Springfield Parks & Recreation

09/01/2026

🌳💚 Thank You, MassMutual Foundation!

Forest Park is a special part of our Springfield community, and we’re so grateful for the $25,000 donation from the MassMutual Foundation to help with cleanup and restoration following the August 8 macroburst.

Thank you for helping us care for and preserve this beloved park for our community to enjoy for years to come! 🌿

City of Springfield thanks MassMutual Foundation for Generous $25,000 Donation for Forest Park Upkeep following Macroburst Storm

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and Director of Parks, Buildings, and Recreation Management (PBRM) Tom Ashe are extending a message of thanks to the MassMutual Foundation for their generous donation of $25,000 toward Forest Park care and upkeep in the wake of the significant macroburst storm that occurred August 8th.

“Thank you to the MassMutual Foundation for assisting with clean up and beautification, helping us bring Forest Park back to life following the quick, but damaging macroburst storm this August,” stated Mayor Sarno. “MassMutual was founded here in Springfield 175 years ago. Since then, they have stepped up to be a great corporate citizen, and have given very generously over the years to support our city. From schools and hospitals, to our beloved parks, MassMutual is there for us. Thank you to the MassMutual team for your continued belief, support, and investment in our Springfield.”

“Forest Park, our largest and most-utilized park in the system, took a major hit during the Saturday macroburst storm in August,” explained PBRM Director Tom Ashe. “It was an all-hands on deck situation immediately following in order to respond to storm damage and ensure Forest Park could be safely opened to the public. I’d like to commend and thank our dedicated PBRM team, especially the Forestry Division, for their efforts in Forest Park, and throughout the city in responding to that storm. We’re grateful for the continued help from the MassMutual Foundation to make sure our beloved, historic, and award-winning family destination Forest Park is cared for and kept up with following this major storm hit.”

08/28/2026

🎸🌳 SUNDAY FUNDAY at Forest Park! ☀️🎶

Grab your lawn chair, blanket, friends & family and join us for another FREE Concert in the Park! 🙌

🎤 Featuring: Petty Larceny Band
📅 Sunday, August 30
⏰ 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
📍 Forest Park Amphitheater

Come hang out, enjoy some great live music, grab a bite to eat, and soak up the last bit of summer! 🌞🍔🎶

🍴 Madd Eatz Food Truck will be serving up food
🍺 White Lion Brewing Company will have beverages available for purchase
🦢 Swan Boat rentals will be available

The concert is FREE and open to everyone!

Bring your crew, bring a blanket, and make an afternoon of it at Forest Park. We’ll see you there! 🎸💃🌳

🎵 Full Concerts in the Park schedule:
www.springfield-ma.gov/park/park-events

🦢 Swan Boat information:
www.springfield-ma.gov/park/facilities/swan-boats

Questions? 413-787-6435 | [email protected]

08/20/2026

CONCERT MOVED TO FOREST PARK CARRIAGE HOUSE TENT

Tonight's Jake Manzi Band concert will be held under the tent at the Barney Carriage House inside Forest Park, due to inclement weather. Swan Boat Rentals are closed for tonight.

CONCERT MOVED TO FOREST PARK CARRIAGE HOUSE TENT

Tonight's Jake Manzi Band concert will be held under the tent at the Barney Carriage House inside Forest Park, due to inclement weather. Swan Boat Rentals are closed for tonight.

City of Springfield Parks & Recreation

08/20/2026

Thank you to our dedicated Parks team and Hampden County Sheriff’s Office crews for working together to keep Forest Park clean, safe, and looking its best! 🌳💚

Shout out to Springfield Parks Department and Hampden County Sheriff's Office for Forest Park Care & Upkeep

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno is deeply appreciative of the members of our City of Springfield Department of Parks, Buildings, and Recreation Management (PBRM) along with the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office resident crews for their hard work today getting some substantial work done in our beloved Forest Park.

Mayor Sarno states, “Forest Park is in good hands. I deeply appreciate PBRM Director Tom Ashe and the entire Parks team for their ongoing efforts in our parks, especially at Forest Park in the wake of the macroburst storm – to the Forestry team led by City Forester Alex Sherman – simply put, tremendous job done. We are so grateful to Sheriff Nick Cocchi and his dedicated team for the continued partnership with our city of Springfield. From the great work they do helping inmates and providing much-needed reentry programs, to the community-based outreach efforts and initiatives such as neighborhood and park clean-up initiatives, his crews have helped us with public-safety cleanup aspects within many our Springfield Parks. Thank you for your efforts, today and everyday, to keep our parks clean, healthy, and safe.”

08/19/2026

Exciting improvements are coming to Nathan Bill Park!

With a $300,000 CPA investment, renovations will include a new pickleball court and improvements to the 19.2-acre East Forest Park community hub.

Thank you to Mayor Sarno, our state and city leaders, CPC, and the East Forest Park Civic Association for helping make this project possible! 🌳

08/12/2026

🌳 Springfield residents — your voice can help shape the future of our city’s urban forest!

The Springfield Forestry Division is looking for 8–10 community members to join the Community Advisory Board (CAB) for the Urban Forest Master Plan (UFMP).

Springfield is developing a 20-year plan to guide the care, growth, and management of our urban forest while helping maximize the environmental, economic, health, and social benefits that trees bring to our neighborhoods.

You don’t need to be a tree expert or have experience in environmental planning. We’re looking for residents who care about their community, care about the environment, and are willing to share their ideas and perspectives.

🌱 Monthly in-person meetings from September 2026–August 2027
🌱 Meetings will be up to two hours
🌱 Two meetings will include field trips around Springfield
🌱 A small stipend will be provided to selected community members

Applications are open now and must be submitted by Friday, August 14, 2026.

Interested in getting involved and helping shape Springfield’s urban forest for years to come? Learn more about the CAB, view the position description in English and Spanish, and apply here:
https://www.springfield-ma.gov/cos/news-story?tx_news_pi1%5Baction%5D=detail&tx_news_pi1%5Bcontroller%5D=News&tx_news_pi1%5Bnews%5D=17901&cHash=55ac1907544e0f40ff440f77f61ccdc3&fbclid=IwY2xjawTpsC1wZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR4X6HU2S5C5qsjKV4EMxGMrTlYBV2kglvUMGjvJ2PWCfALOFjTMpk0XfVKrMA_aem_n8OBaz13ycFgqaVBt81fAw

08/12/2026

🎶 FREE CONCERT THIS THURSDAY! 🌳

Join us Thursday, August 13 at 6:30 PM at the Forest Park Amphitheater for Zac N Fried, a 7-piece band paying tribute to Zac Brown!

🎸 Free concert
🕓 Park gates open free after 4 PM
🛶 Swan Boat Rentals at ECOS: 4–7 PM
🍺 White Lion Brewing begins serving at 6 PM
🍔 Madd Eatz Food Truck begins serving at 6 PM
🪑 Bring lawn chairs, blankets & snacks!

📍 Forest Park Amphitheater
🌧️ Rain location: Barney Carriage House Tent

Come enjoy a relaxing evening of live music, food, drinks, Swan Boats and summer fun! ☀️🎶

Upcoming concerts:
• Aug. 20 – Jake Manzi Band
• Aug. 27 – Unforgettable Fire
• Aug. 30 at 3 PM – Petty Larceny Band
• Sept. 3 – Bennie and the Jets
• Sept. 10 – Floyd Patterson Band

Call 413-787-6435 for any questions!

08/10/2026

Forest Park Now Open!

Forest Park internal roads of have been cleared and the park is now safely reopened following the recent storm as of Monday, August 10, 2026.

ZOO in Forest Park and Education Center will remain closed until further notice while we work to clean up the aftermath and ensure The Zoo is safe before welcoming back our community. Please check out their page for further information.

Please call the city’s 311 line (413-736-3111) to report any trees down.

Thank you to our dedicated Department of Parks, Buildings, and Recreation Management for your efforts through this storm and clean-up.

Thank you everyone for your patience and understanding.

Forest Park Now Open

Forest Park internal roads of have been cleared and the park is now safely reopened following the recent storm as of Monday, August 10, 2026.

Thank you to our dedicated Department of Parks, Buildings, and Recreation Management for your efforts through this storm and clean-up.

Thank you everyone for your patience and understanding.

08/09/2026

UPDATE: Forest Park was safely reopened on Monday, August 10, 2026.

Forest Park closed for storm clean-up

The City of Springfield and Department of Parks, Buildings, and Recreation Management (PBRM) have announced that Forest Park will be closed today until further notice.

City crews continue storm clean-up efforts inside the Park and throughout the city.

Our dedicated Forestry team, who is working closely with Eversource, will remain out in the streets addressing all the down trees, limbs, etc. Additional PBRM staff have been called in to help with clean-up efforts.

Some internal roads within Forest Park are blocked by trees and limbs, so Forest Park will remain closed until clean-up is completed. Public streets will be prioritized first. Some public streets may be closed off as well with detours.

Please avoid Forest Park until it is announced that it is safely re-opened.

Please call the city’s 311 line (413-736-3111) to report any trees down.

Thank you to all for your patience and understanding as clean up efforts in the city continue throughout the week.