Buttery Brook Park

Buttery Brook Park Upgrade Project Groundbreaking, April 8, 2025

Park Rentals

Rentals are available in season (approximately mid-May through Labor Day weekend) for birthday parties, club outings, family reunions, organization functions, picnics, wedding receptions, and other gatherings. Facilities available include two covered Pavilions and the Log Cabin. The Pavilions accommodate up to 120 guests and are located in the Pine Grove area and the South Entrance Road area. The Log Cabin offers inside space for up to 30 guests, and is located by the playground, offering a great spot for children's parties.

All inquiries should be directed by email to the South Hadley Recreation Department, which handles all reservations and rentals. For availability, general information, and renter responsibilities, see Buttery Brook Park Rentals (link also in the menu at left).

About the Park

Buttery Brook Park was created in 1980 by South Hadley Parks Superintendent Joseph Taylor. The land for the park was acquired from Fire District No. 1 in 1958 and a parcel near the North Entrance was deeded by the Kielbasa Family in 1959. Joe Taylor involved a number of people in the development of the park and bartered for most of the materials. He and his staff crafted many of the picnic tables and benches, and pavilions were built by the Lion’s Club. Part of the property had served as a reservoir from the late 1800s to 1952. The park is nestled in the old Buttery Brook watershed, a remnant of which still exists on the hill overlooking the path of the brook as it winds its way through the Park's large, open field below the band shell.

Park amenities include free parking, a band shell, covered pavilions, picnic tables and grills, benches and seating areas, a walking trail, and a disc golf course (Buttery Brook Disk Golf on Facebook). Centrally located rest rooms are close to playground areas and the spray park, with additional rest rooms near the band shell at the rear of the park. The area near the North Entrance has a basketball court, and lighted Pickleball courts (South Hadley Pickleball on Facebook).

While visitors may come and enjoy the park at any time of year, park facilities (including rest rooms) are typically only open for general use May-November from 8:30am to dusk.
Please note that per Town park policy, no dogs are allowed, except for service animals.
Visitors should plan to take any refuse from picnics or other activities at the park with them, as trash containers are not provided. Thank you for helping to keep our park clean by taking out anything you bring in.

For latest information (including weather-related schedule changes): www.facebook.com/southhadleyrecreation

The Spray Park generally opens for the season on weekends in mid to late May; weekday operation usually begins in June on the first day of school summer vacation. Click here for the spray park schedule and additional details.
SPRAY PARK OPERATION: When open, the Spray Park is programmed to run from 10:30am to 6:30pm. (There is a green post with a disk at the top within the spray area, which comes on when someone touches the top/center of the disk.) The spray park usually opens on Memorial Day weekend, including the Monday holiday. The spray park is then open on weekends-only through mid June, and after that is open daily through the Labor Day holiday. Restroom facilities are open during these hours. The spray park closes for inclement and/or cold weather days.

Location

Buttery Brook Park, 123 Willimansett Street (Route 33), South Hadley, MA 01075 | Contact: recreation@southhadleyma.gov

From Mass Pike:
Take Exit 49 (formerly Exit 5) and travel 3.8 miles north on Route 33; park is on the left, shortly after entering South Hadley.
From Route 91:
Take Exit 14 (formerly Exit 16) to Route 202 north to South Hadley; go right on Route 33 south. The Park is on the right approximately 1/2 mile from the intersection of Routes 202 and 33.
From Route 116:
Take Route 33 south for approximately 1.5 miles. The nearest landmark is Olde Hadleigh Hearth & Home.

Friends of Buttery Brook Park

The Friends provide support for the free Summer Concert Series and for park improvements through ongoing activities such as the in-season Friday Cruise Nights, and offer help as volunteers for annual events like Big Rig Day and Santa's Land. The Friends have been a leadership partner in the fundraising campaign for the Phase 2 park improvement project, which includes three additional Pickleball courts, a new disc golf course, and a new walking trail. New members and volunteers are always welcomed. For general information or to join us as volunteer, email the Friends of Buttery Brook Park at: ButteryBrookPark@gmail.com.

For more information about the park, events, and activities, visit Facebook at:
www.facebook.com/butterybrookpark (Friends of Buttery Brook Park)
www.facebook.com/southhadleyrecreation (South Hadley Recreation Dept)
www.facebook.com/South-Hadley-Pickleball-105255458890229 (South Hadley Pickleball)
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577069686115 (Buttery Brook Disc Golf)
www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083435843850 (South Hadley Farmers Market)

NEWS and EVENTS

Buttery Brook Park Grand Re-Opening Celebration May 16, 2026

Saturday, May 16, 2026 from 12:00 to 3:30pm: Save the date and plan to come enjoy fa family day full of outdoor fun. Area favorite Ed Popielarczyk, will bring his talents as a magician, balloon sculptor, and family entertainer to the Park at 1:00pm. School band and dance performances, a kids' Fun Run, Disc Golf practice and play with the local pros, and other activities will culminate in a ribbon cutting at 3:30pm.

Summer Concerts and Cruise Nights Season KickOff, May 15, 2026

Friday, May 15, 2026 from 5:00pm to Dusk: The Park's annual Free Summer Concert Series and Cruise Nights begin on May 15. Johnny Blair brings rock with a country flair to the new Bandshell stage, and lots of cool cars will be on the grounds. Food and beverages will be available (cash, credit, and Venmo accepted).

Pickleball Season Opener: Dinko de Mayo and A Ray of Elvis

Friday, May 1, 2026 from 5:00to 6:30pm: Save the date, and plan to come to this annual favorite, to enjoy lemonade, chips & salsa, margaritas ($), and a rockin' free concert! Open to the public, and everyone is invited to come out to the courts and support our players.

Take a Walk in the Park

Try out the new accessible trail around Buttery Brook Park, which offers an easy walk with a mostly flat surface and no steep hills. The trail also intersects in places with disc golf course paths, which offer a moderate, uneven walking surface through the wooded areas. The disc golf trails are likely to be less busy with "golfers" during weekday hours.

Disc Golf at Buttery Brook Park

Want to keep up with all the disc golf happenings at the Park? Be sure to follow Buttery Brook Disc Golf on Facebook.

Pickleball at Buttery Brook Park

Four pickleball courts at Buttery Brook Park opened in July, 2022, with four more courts to be ready in 2026 as part of the recent park improvement project, to be finalized in early 2026. Players have been using our courts year round since they were installed. Lighting was added by South Hadley Electric Light Department (SHELD) and lights are on until 10pm. Set hours are reserved for Open Play at all four courts: Mon, Wed, Fri, and Sat from 8:30-11:00am and Tue, Thur from 4:30pm until Closing. Open Play = Pickleball for All, so you don't have to sign up, just come to the courts during any Open Play time and plan to play.

To get connected with the South Hadley Pickleball community, download the TeamReach app and search for South Hadley Picklers (team code is 01075). For information about South Hadley Pickleball, and upcoming learn-to-play clinics, visit South Hadley Pickleball on Facebook or email: southhadleypickleball@gmail.com.

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ANNUAL EVENTS

Annual Easter Egg Hunt and Hat Parade

Saturday, April 4, 2026 at 10:00am: The South Hadley Recreation Department Easter Egg Hunt returns to Buttery Brook Park (in 2025, the event was moved due to Park renovations). The event, which is free of charge, features an egg hunt with over 2,000 eggs and a visit from the Easter Bunny. There is also a hat parade where the children show off their finest Easter hats, and winning hats are awarded a prize ribbon. The hat parade will start the event at 10am with the egg hunt immediately afterward.

Annual Earth Day Redeemable Bottle and Can Collection

2026 Date TBA: Save redeemable bottles and cans to drop off in April in the parking lot at South Hadley High School, 153 Newton Street (Rt. 116). Proceeds benefit Friends of Buttery Brook Park. Hope to see you there in April!

Annual Big Rig Day at Buttery Brook Park

Thursday, July 16, 2026 from 10am to 12pm: This longtime Buttery Brook Park favorite is usually held in July from 10am to 12pm, and features fire trucks, police cars, utility trucks, ambulances and more. Climb into the cabs and meet the people who operate these fascinating vehicles at this unique, free, kid-friendly event co-hosted by SHELD/Fiberspring, the Friends of Buttery Book Park, All Star Dairy, and the South Hadley Recreation Department. Don't miss this great, free family event!

Summer at the Park: Kids Summer Fun Remix (formerly Children's Concert Series)

July 1, 8, 15 and 24, 2026: Our long-running free performance series, usually on mornings in July, is held under cover of a pavilion. Watch for details to come. Past performers have included: In the Nick of Time Music, Annie and the Natural Wonder Band, and The Toe Jam Band. For information and any inclement weather cancellations, see: www.facebook.com/butterybrookpark.

South Hadley Summer Farmers' Market at Buttery Brook Park

2026 Dates TBA: The Summer Farmer's Market at Buttery Brook Park has been held for several years Wednesday afternoons from 2-6pm, from June through September. The Market is located near the Park's south entrance (closest to the Chicopee line). Enjoy the park while you shop at this family-friendly market for local produce, prepared foods, and work by craft artisans. SNAP match program. Visit the Market's website at Farmers' Market South Hadley on Facebook or farmersmarketsouthhadley.com for more information.

Summer at the Park: Free Friday Night Concerts at 5pm at the new Bandshell

May 15 to September 11, 2026 (no concert on July 3): Friday concerts are held each week from 5:00pm to 7:30pm (except July 4 weekend) all summer long, from May until September. Food and beverages available; cash, credit and Venmo accepted. Concerts are scheduled in conjunction with Friday Cruise Nights-bring your folding chairs and take a stroll to enjoy some great some classic cars along with the music! No dogs per park rules, and no outside alcohol, please. Supporters include the Friends of Buttery Brook Park, Friends of South Hadley Seniors, Pickleball South Hadley, Fiberspring Gig Speed Internet, Madd Eatz Food Truck, and the Town of South Hadley. This program is funded in part by a grant from the South Hadley Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. For information and any inclement weather cancellations, see: www.facebook.com/butterybrookpark

Summer at the Park: Friday Cruise Nights

May 15 to September 4, 2026 (except July 3): Buttery Brook Park Friends' Cruise Nights are held Fridays from 5:00pm to 7:30pm each week during the season (except July 4 weekend), which generally begins in mid-May and runs through early September. The public is invited to come and see each week's vintage vehicles (admission is free) and enjoy pleasant warm-weather nights at the Park. There are special nights for Fords, Mustangs, GTOs, a Corvette/Mustang Shoot-Out, and more. Live bands also perform free community concerts during Cruise Nights. Beverages including beer, soda, and water are available from the Friends, with a food truck also on site. Funds raised through Cruise Nights help to support Park improvements and the free Friday Concert Series; businesses, community groups, and others are invited to support this effort by signing up to join us on a Friday night during the season as a volunteer "Celebrity Pit Crew" to assist with parking and other tasks. For information and any inclement weather cancellations, see: www.facebook.com/butterybrookpark.

Annual Santa's Land

2026 Dates TBA: The Friends of Buttery Brook Park and our Park Staff welcome everyone to the 54th year of Santa's Land. Visitors are invited to come and visit Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves. After visiting with Santa, children receive a cookie and coloring book from Mrs. Claus. The event is free of charge to all, but donations in support of the Park are always appreciated. Parents are welcome to take their own family photographs with Santa, and everyone can enjoy a cup of hot chocolate on the log cabin porch and take a walk to delight in all of the seasonal lights and displays outside. In season, Santa's Land information and updates are posted at the Buttery Brook Park Friends Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/butterybrookpark or www.facebook.com/southhadleyrecreation.