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Cristoforo Colombo Park, also known as East Park, is an important neighborhood and city-wide park located within the busy and vibrant Shrewsbury Street commercial district. East Park is easily recognizable because of the two stone griffins (lions with wings) flanking the park entrance.

The park contains lighted fields for football, as well as a tennis court and two basketball courts. The park also includes a splash pad in the warm weather months, a state-of-the-art children's playground, amphitheater and many acres of undeveloped hillsides with trail connections to Bell Pond Park and Green Hill Park leading all the way to Lake Quinsigamond.

East Side Trail Map

Splash

Kids Playing in Spray Park

Cool off on a hot summer day at the Cristoforo Colombo Spray Park! Bring your kids down to splash around and get sprayed by spouts of water! It'll be a blast!

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Let's Play!

Larger Playground Structure at East Park
Smaller Playground Structure at East Park

Cristoforo Colombo Park not only has a state-of-the-art children's playground, but it also has a smaller play structure in the park, basketball courts and a baseball diamond where you can catch an exciting ball game or snag some fly balls of your own.

Events in the Park

Amphitheater in the Middle of East Park

The amphitheater in the middle of the park is a unique structure that is host to many events throughout the warmer months. Most notably, during the City's annual Independence Day Celebration, the Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra wows a large crowd before the fireworks light up the sky.

Griffins

Stone Griffin Outside of East Park

In 1916, an ornamental gateway was installed making use of the two stone griffins (lions with wings) that formerly supported the arch of the train shed of the old Union Railroad Station. Next time you're at the park, look at the griffins and you will see that they are not a matching pair. One griffin's tail is facing Shrewsbury St and the other griffin's tail is unseen facing the park. It is believed that the griffins were transported by horse and sled.

Also Check Out

View some of the other parks in the City. Get out and explore!

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Oread Castle Playground Set

Oread Castle Park

District: 4

Oread Castle Park is a 3-acre park located in the Main South neighborhood. Before this was a City park, it was Oread Collegiate Institute, also known as "The Castle". It recently had a massive renovation and features basketball courts, futsal court overlay, playground, picnic tables and nature trails.
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Coal Mine Brook Sign with Parking Lot and Park and Green Trees

Coal Mine Brook

District: 2

Coal Mine Brook features upgrades to the East West Trail Network, a new playground and state of the art adult fitness area. This park was renovated in 2023.
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Institute Park Stone Benches with Ampitheater in Background

Institute Park

District: 2

Institute Park is a historic park which dates to the late 1800’s. Close to downtown, this park was originally an ordinary farm field and pasture. It was donated by the Honorable Stephen Salisbury III in 1887 as a park to supply a green space for the students and citizens of Worcester.

Quick Facts

Location: 180 Shrewsbury Street - Map

District: 2

Size: 23.0 acres

Parking Lot(s): Yes

Features:

  • Amphitheater
  • Baseball Diamond
  • Basketball Court
  • Gazebo/Pavilion
  • Nature Trail(s)
  • Monuments/Memorials
  • Multipurpose Field
  • Playground
  • Spray Park
  • Tennis Court

Contact Information

Address

Parks & Recreation
50 Officer Manny Familia Way
Worcester, MA 01605

Contact

Phone: 508-799-1190
Fax: 508-799-1293
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Hours

Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

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