The Crompton Family, for who the park is named, made their fortune in the manufacturing of looms, which was one of Worcester's first and largest industries. George Crompton was said to have revolutionized textile manufacturing. He is a part of the current day Civil War Memorial statue. By 1893, the Crompton factory was the largest fancy loom works in the country. Much of the land by the factory was owned by the family.
The City Parks Commission asked Mrs. Crompton for a price on the land between Quinsigamond and Millbury Streets. After George Crompton's death in 1886, his wife decided to sell the 12.72 acres of land in 1888. It was named Crompton Park and was an open field which was used as a playground.
In addition to Mrs. Crompton's sale, John Ballard, Wm. Scott, and Ella Hoppin sold 2.53 acres to the City in 1897. By 1919, shelters, benches, a wading pool, fountains and walkways had been provided. Later, in 1924, the City prepared a report on the future of the development of its parks and included a plan showing all the parks in the City. At that time, Crompton Park contained a wading pool, baseball fields and paths. There was a published report at that time that juvenile crime rate was non-existent within three blocks of Crompton Park. There was a strong belief at that time that providing places for young people to play would help decrease the incidence of crime.
Whether you and your kids are into sports, splashing around, enjoying a relaxing picnic or playing on a playground, there's something for everyone at Crompton Park!
If you're not playing an organized sport or just wanted to get the kids outside for some fun, you can also bring them to play around on the Crompton Park playground! There are slides, monkey bars, climbing scructures, swings and much more. Don't forget to pack a lunch and have a picnic in the north-east section of the park!
Swim in the pool, zoom down the slide, or run around the spray park! There are many ways to cool off and have fun on a hot summer day at Crompton Park! Cromptom pool is ADA accessible: there is a lift available with the assistance of a Certified Lifeguard at the pool. Also, there is a zero-depth (beach like) area for individuals to access the pool as well.
If you enjoy sports and athletics, Crompton Park offers a few choices to fit your needs. You can either play and organized sport or free play on the baseball diamond, two softball diamonds, a basketball court, handball, multipurpose field, playground, pool, spray park and two tennis courts!
View some of the other parks in this district. Get out and explore!
University Park is located in both a residential neighborhood and directly adjacent to a college campus. In the middle of the park is Crystal Pond, formerly used for swimming and ice skating. Today, activities on the Pond are limited to occasional paddle boating or toy boat races.
Located just south and east of Newton Hill, Winslow & Pleasant (Peace) Park is another of Worcester's newer parks, opened in 2008. At a little over half an acre, this is a simple and quaint park, featuring picnic tables, community garden plots and ample seating to just relax and enjoy the outdoors!
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.
