<strong>Merrill Park</strong></p><p>If you want to play basketball against a team of really tall, skinny, super-green trees, Merrill Park on Eastman Street is definitely the place to go. But you can also go there to swim in the pool or play tennis, Little League baseball, softball or soccer, or just get some energy out racing around the expansive green space. Additionally, there’s a sheltered picnic area and trails to check out at your leisure.
<strong>Rollins Park</strong></p><p>If you’re hangin’ in the South End, stop on over at Rollins Park on Bow Street, home to this fancy stone footbridge and that new gazebo in the background, which is the perfect place to take in the scenery and do some outstanding people watching. Rollins also has baseball and softball fields and a swimming pool, as well as basketball and tennis courts and walking trails. It’s also the only city park where field hockey is played in the fall each year. And, for those looking for a more leisurely stroll that doens’t require athletic equipment, there’s plenty of well-kept green space for walking the pooch around.
<strong>Keach Park</strong></p><p>Keach Park on Newton Avenue is definitely at the head of the colorful playground pack. And check out those sweet squiggly thingers! Keach also boasts a swimming pool and one of the city’s better (and more active) basketball courts, as well as tennis courts and fields for Little League baseball, softball and soccer. Hungry? There’s a ton of places on the Heights to eat, and you can bring the grub to the covered picnic area, right next to the playground, so you can always keep an eye on your little ones.
<strong>Rolfe Park</strong></p><p>Tucked neatly away on Community Drive in Penacook, Rolfe Park has this weathered wooden sign. But if that’s not enough to entice you, there’s also a playground, basketball and tennis courts, one of the city’s seven outdoor pools and fields for Little League baseball, baseball, softball and soccer, as well as trails and a picnic area.
<strong>Memorial Field</strong></p><p>Were we in a helicopter when we snapped this picture? Nope, just teetering on the top row of the massive bleachers at the football field. Memorial Field on South Fruit Street is probably the city’s biggest sports complex, complete with the aforementioned football field (home of the Crimson Tide and Bishop Brady Giants), multiple basketball courts and tennis courts, as well as several softball fields, the Doane Diamond baseball field, a track and a covered picnic area. There are also trails to walk on, or to cross country ski on during the winter.
<strong>White Park</strong></p><p>Not pictured: the sweet fountain in the middle of the White Park pond, which happened to be off when we snapped this photo. Trust us, though; it’s majestic. Pictured, however, is the famous skate house behind the pond, which helps turn this park into one of the most happening ice skating spots in town during the 17 months of winter each year. White Park (on White Street) also has one of the best pools for children in the city (there’s an awesome mushroom fountain!) and an outstanding playground, as well as a full basketball court that was redone with fancy new hoops just a few years ago. You can usually find a good pickup game there during the warmer months. The park also has picnic tables, a baseball field, room to play soccer and trails to walk on.
Want to know what amenities you can find at some of the city’s biggest parks? We did too, so we found out
