Hubbard Park, Montpelier

Hubbard Park is one of Montpelier’s defining green spaces, a broad stretch of woodland rising just behind the Vermont State House and offering a quiet contrast to the compact capital below. Established in 1899, the park began with a gift of more than 130 acres from philanthropist John Erastus Hubbard, who intended the land to “preserve wilderness” for future generations. Over time, additional parcels expanded the park to over 200 acres, shaping it into a central recreational landscape woven into the city itself.

From the outset, the park was designed to follow the natural terrain rather than impose rigid geometry. Landscape architect Dana F. Dow mapped out winding roads and paths that adapt to the hills, reinforcing the sense that this is a managed forest rather than a formal garden. Today, that approach remains evident in the park’s network of roughly seven miles of trails, used year-round for walking, hiking, and cross-country skiing. Meadows, pine stands, hardwood groves, and small wetlands create a varied natural environment, with occasional clearings revealing views back toward the gold dome of the State House.

The park’s defining feature is its stone observation tower, built between 1915 and 1930 at the hill’s highest point. Made from local stone, it rises above the trees and offers wide views of the surrounding valleys and mountains, with a rugged, historic character that invites visitors to climb and pause.

Beyond the tower, Hubbard Park combines its natural setting with simple amenities, including picnic areas, open fields, a pond, and a sledding hill. Over time, improvements—many from the New Deal era—were added with care, enhancing access while preserving the park’s overall character.