Wickham Park is a non-profit, private foundation, established by Clarence H. Wickham. The majority of the land, 130 acres, was a gift from Wickham, whose will mandated that the property become a park following the death of his wife, Edith Wickham.

Upholding his request of Wickham, the land became Wickham Park in 1960 upon the death of Edith. The park, which extends into both Manchester and East Hartford, now contains 250 acres of gardens, woodlands, open fields, picnic areas, ponds, sports facilities, and other attractions.

The Park has a variety of attractions for the enjoyment of locals and visitors, including The Aviary, Nature Center, Sports Facilities, Playgrounds, as well as a Bird Sanctuary.

The Aviary, which is located adjacent to their main playground and nature center, is a favorite with both children and adults. Visitors of the park can feed the birds there by purchasing feed from vending machines within the aviary. The Nature Center is a facility which was designed to educate visitors about plant and wildlife in the area.

For the avid golfer, Wickham Park features a championship 18-hole disc golf course. Additionally the park contains five tennis courts, two softballs diamonds, two volleyball courts, bike trails and hiking tracks for those who want to work out in a serene environment.

Wickham Park’s most unique feature is its’ many acres of ornamental gardens. It is home to different themed gardens including the English Garden, Scottish Garden, Cabin Garden, The Oriental Garden, The Lotus Garden, Wetlands Garden, Rhododendron Garden, and the Italian Shrine. These areas can be rented for events and ceremonies.

For more information on Wickham Park, visit their website or call (860) 528-0856.