Buttonwood Park

Known as the “crown jewel” of New Bedford’s park system, Buttonwood Park is an oasis of nature and outdoor recreation conveniently located in the city’s West End. This family-friendly park provides a lovely natural setting where you can walk, bike, and spend time outside with friends and family.

Features

With fields, large trees, walking paths, basketball courts, and a pond, there’s something for everyone at Buttonwood Park. Active local residents love the park for its natural beauty and outdoor recreation close to home.

Buttonwood Park is also a historical treasure. In 1895, Frederick Law Olmstead’s architectural firm created the park’s original master plan. Today, the Friends of Buttonwood Park, an all-volunteer community group, maintains the park’s trees and gardens in the spirit of Olmstead.

Trails

At Buttonwood Park, you can walk, jog, or bike ride along nearly two miles of walking paths. The paths trace the park’s perimeter past the zoo, pond, and playground. They’re paved and flat, which makes them easy and accessible for all.

For a wilder adventure, we recommend you investigate the trails through the wetland buffer garden (located between the zoo and the pond next to the greenhouse). This area offers a short, nature-filled jaunt that’s perfect for active adults and families with small children.

trail through woods at Buttonwood Park

Take a walk through the wetland buffer garden at Buttonwood Park, which is a certified wildlife habitat along Buttonwood Brook.

Habitats & Wildlife

Although it’s in an urban setting, Buttonwood Park is a refuge for local wildlife, including birds and small mammals. The grassy lawn is home to an arboretum with beautifully managed trees, including elm, sycamore, and sweetgum.

The wetland buffer garden is a certified wildlife habitat, which means you’ll find a variety of park-dwelling animals living here along Buttonwood Brook. You may not know it, but this brook flows all the way to Apponagansett Bay in Dartmouth, which leads to Buzzards Bay!

Property Owned By
Details
Size: 97 acres
Hours: Dawn to dusk
Parking: Two large paved parking lots (open 6am-10pm); additional on-street parking around the park
Cost: Free
Trail Difficulty: Easy
Dogs: Yes (on leash)
Facilities: Restrooms, Trash, Picnic Tables, Playground
ADA Accessible: Yes

Please follow all posted rules and regulations at this property.

Address & Contact Information
425 Hawthorn St.
New Bedford, MA 02740
41.632182, -70.952303

Please follow all posted rules and regulations at this property.

Buttonwood Park
New Bedford, MA
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Upcoming Events Near Here

Buzzards Bay Swim – Registration Now Open!
Sat, June 22
6:30AM - 10:30AM
Fort Phoenix State Reservation,
Fairhaven
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Sun, August 18
Woods Hole to Falmouth Heights,
Falmouth
Buzzards Bay Watershed Ride
Sun, October 06
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Nearby Places To Go

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Local residents can come to Jones Beach in Dartmouth enjoy the calm waters of Clarks Cove and fresh air off Buzzards Bay.

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Apponagansett Park in Dartmouth is a fun summertime destination that truly offers something for everybody.

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Today, our beaches are cleaner and more shellfishing areas are open because less bacteria pollutes our waterways. But bacterial contamination is still a threat to many places around Buzzards Bay where people swim and shellfish.

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