"Same hurt in every heart Same trailer, different park" (Kacey Musgraves) Charter Oak Park was unexpectedly one of the biggest and best parks we've seen in Connecticut. When you pull into the parking lot the park doesn't look that big, but as we walked around we were so surprised to see it keeps going and going on and on like a peaceful Energizer Bunny. We saw a playground, a dog park, basketball courts, murals, the East Coast Greenway walking/biking path, a waterfall, and a bridge to name just a few. The Greenway was beautiful, very flat, very wide with lots of pretty scenery and water views. If you want a low impact place to walk, its perfect. We saw a second path up to the Dog Park, but that was on a rather steep incline, so we passed on it. But the two very coolest things we saw were a student decorated fence and a Rotary Musical Garden. The fence project involved a five foot high vinyl chain link fence collaboration between the Cheney Tech Carpentry Program, Country Carpenters of Hebron, and Home Depot. Students had painted squares of wood to represent their interests, so we saw hockey, music, nature and books among the hundreds of miniature works of art. The squares were mechanically attached through the fence into a second square on the other side of the fence, essentially locking them into place, The musical Garden has multiple big xylophones in all kinds of shapes and sizes and big colorful bongo drums. You can have a blast making cool noises as you engage with each of the music stations. Truth be told, Charter Oak Park was fantastic. read more

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Charter Oak Park is definitely a diamond in the rough. Though it's not located in the most beautiful neighborhood, it's new and has so much to do! The park has a playground with 2 main play structures (one for 2-5 year olds, one for 5-12 year olds), baby and regular swings, a music garden, 4 basketball courts, 2 tennis courts, 3 baseball fields, a great paved walking path, several picnic tables, real restrooms, and a big empty field. I visited on a Wednesday morning with my toddler and we had a blast! We spend most of our time on the playground and in the music garden. The play structure for younger kids is on the small side but still has some fun features. It has a rock they can climb up, ladders, some fake stumps, and 2 slides (including a side-by-side). There's also a cool thing about 4 kids can sit in while it is being spun by an adult or another child from outside. My almost 2 year old navigated this whole structure with ease. The second play structure for older kids was very fun. It had a lot of different obstacles to climb including rock walls, different nets and webs, ladders, a balance beam... the list goes on. It also had a very cool swing that was almost like a zip line with a seat to sit on. The two play structures are not divided by anything, so my toddler moved back and forth between the two. He could navigate some of it by himself but I definitely had to stay close by or climb with him. There are many places for a smaller child to fall from and climbing obstacles that were just too big. However, this playground would definitely have more for a 12 year old to do than many I have seen for this same age. Finally, we visited the music garden. It was beautiful, even with the cooler weather setting in. The landscaping and shrubbery was well done and kept and all the instruments were still in great shape. read more

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Great park, so much to do and very well maintained. They have awesome metal instruments you can play, a few different structures to climb, and picnic tables with umbrellas. I also love that there are bathrooms and plenty of parking next to the park. One of our favorite parks in the area! read more

Charter Oak Park - Parks Near Me - Manchester, Connecticut

Not a safe park lately.. There is drug activity going on in the parking lot multiple times now. Onlookers were concerned about erratic behavior (people under the influence) and police had to be called. Children were scared. We will not be returning here. Police need to step their presence for the sake of the children in this community. Children deserve to be able to enjoy their youth and go to this park. Maybe security cameras could be installed.. read more

Lovely park with so many great things for the kids. The best park in Manchester, they also plan some fun family activities throughout summer where the whole family gets to enjoy, like Zumba night, movie night, moonlight night.... all events are free! The park is unique with the kids play area also has an open instrument play area! Very neatly maintained. Has a pathway where you can either run, bike ride, or even brisk walk. Also basketball courts are huge and spacious located at the corner! My little one loves the zip line so much, literally I have to disappoint him when it comes to "time up"! read more

A joyful park for the young and those young at heart awaits you.. Located off Charter Oak Street, it had not been refurbished since the 1970s and was recently rebuilt earlier this summer. Now there are two playgrounds - one geared for kids ages 2-5 and the second one is geared for kids ages 5-12. The Rotary music garden is for children and adults which includes playable, all-weather instruments among newly planted shrubs and trees. Xylophones, chimes and drums are part of the options. I'm told they are designed for "immediate gratification" and boast confidence with the ability to play music. Upgrades to the park include new bathrooms near the playing courts, additional parking spaces and a resurfaced bicycle path with lighting. Video cameras have also been installed to monitor the park. PS An added bonus is if the park would include food trucks as part of their offerings read more

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I think your first question should be - What sports AREN'T available to be played at Charter Oak Park? Conveniently located right off I-384, Charter Oak park has practically everything but a pool. Several baseball and softball fields, two basketball courts, four tennis courts (two of which are lighted), two racketball courts, a soccer field, and even a bike/rollerblade path that goes for miles. The main parking area has a curious basin-shaped field in front of it. Why? When wintertime comes, the basin is flooded with creek water, and serves as an artifical skating pond! Can you say pond hockey from mid-December to mid-February? Heck yes! Great park. Free, fun, fabulous. Perfect for the weekend warrior sportsman. read more

So happy that this park was rebuilt over the summer. Lovely music garden, nice playground equipment for the kids. Would love to see a pavilion in the summer for shade! read more

The greatest park in all of Manchester! Basketball hoops, baseball fields a soccer field and a trail that leads all the way to Highland Park Market. read more