A 54-acre historic park designed in 1871 by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, the only park in Massachusetts they designed together. Today it holds baseball fields, pickleball and basketball courts, a playground, a softball field, and a wading/skating pond, on top of the original Olmsted-Vaux landscape.
What to expect
Dogs
Leashed at all times citywide; the dog officer or police may fine an owner $25 for an unleashed dog
Hours
Citywide park hours: no one may remain in a Fall River park or playground before 6:00am or after 9:00pm without written Park Board permission. Pickleball courts are lighted for evening play.
Ice-Skating
Allowed winter, weather-dependent
Managed by
Fall River Parks & Recreation Department
508-324-2550 · WebsiteWhat's here
On site
Restroom
Portable toilet near the pickleball courts
Not here
No picnic area
No formal reservable picnic shelter listed by the city; historic Olmsted-era open shelter existed at the park's design but current status unconfirmed
Worth knowing
- The park has a wading/skating pond used for ice skating in winter, a holdover from the original Olmsted plan for a winter activity area.
Common questions
Is this the Olmsted-designed park?
Yes. Kennedy Park was originally called South Park and designed in 1871 by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux; it's the only Massachusetts park they designed together, and it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.
Can I play pickleball for free?
Yes, the 8 outdoor concrete courts are free to use and are lighted for evening play.
Is there an entry fee at Kennedy Park?
No, entry is free.
Can I bring my dog to Kennedy Park?
Leashed at all times citywide; the dog officer or police may fine an owner $25 for an unleashed dog