Recreation & Outdoors

With mild and diverse weather, and ease of access to the Connecticut River and the Mount Holyoke Range, it is no surprise that South Hadley residents and visitors enjoy a variety of year-round recreational activities. The Connecticut River affords residents and visitors boating and rowing opportunities via several access points including a public boat launch south of the Holyoke Dam and Brunelle's Marina off Alvord Street.

Conservation Areas

With many conservation areas and the state parks (Skinner State Park and Mount Holyoke Range State Park) situated along the Mount Holyoke Range, the community offers many miles of hiking and walking trails. Some of these same resources provide opportunities for skiing, snowshoeing, and ice skating during winter. Hunting and fishing opportunities are also abundant in and around South Hadley. Similarly, residents and visitors also enjoy bird watching and wildlife photography. View our full list of conservation areas.

Golf Courses

Two golf courses offer a diversity of golfing opportunities. The Ledges Golf Club, located off Alvord Street, is a new municipal 18-hole course with great views and a driving range and a modern clubhouse. This course is also available for passive recreation throughout the year, particularly during winter. The Orchards Golf Course, a private club managed by Arnold Palmer Golf, and site of the 2004 US Women's Open, is situated on the Mount Holyoke College campus.

River to Range Trail
This is a 1-mile accessible loop trail and associated parking lot located off Ferry Street, adjacent to the Mount Holyoke College boathouse at 240 Ferry Street The trail is open to non-motorized use, and designed to accommodate people with impaired mobility such as in wheelchairs or with walkers. The trail loops around the outer edges of a hayfield with views of the Connecticut River, then through a forested section overlooking the floodplain of Bachelor Brook. The trail is designed to accommodate mobility impaired people with four sitting areas along the trail route and a compacted crushed aggregate surface for easy walking.

ValleyBike Share

The first bike share program in the Pioneer Valley, and the first pedal-assist bike share program in New England – ValleyBike – is now available in South Hadley. With stations at the town common and police department, residents and members of the public will be able to use ValleyBike for green transportation while engaging in healthy recreation. ValleyBike allows members to pay for bikes by the trip, or join as a member for unlimited 45-minute rides by the day, month, or year. Sign up and learn more. 

Recreation Department 
From its Summer Concert Series and bus trips to baseball games to youth/adult sports and classes, the South Hadley Recreation Department offers a wide variety of activities. Learn more about them.

Canal Park & Ted Belsky Overlook

Canal Park and the overlook offer a beautiful view of the Connecticut River, located on Canal Street adjacent to the Red Cliff Canoe Club. Parking is limited.

Walking The Falls

Explore South Hadley Falls on foot, using this Walking the Falls brochure (PDF). It offers a map and guide highlighting four walks through the historic Falls neighborhood. Routes include the Canal Walk in the area of the original 'inclined plane' canal system on the Connecticut River; 'Canal Village' Homes and History; the Bridge Loop over the Connecticut River to neighboring Holyoke and the seasonal Barrett Fishway; and the Cemetery Wander exploration of the historic Village Cemetery.

Beachgrounds Park

With a basektball court, skate park, playground, spray park and large field, Buttery Brook Park offers activities for everyone.

Located across from South Hadley Town Hall at 116 Main Street is the Beachgrounds Park. This park offers multiple sports fields, a playground, picnic areas and a spray park.

Buttery Brook Park

Buttery Brook Park is located at 123 Willimansett Street and is maintained by the South Hadley Department of Public Works. It is home to an annual Easter Hat Parade and Egg Hunt in the spring, Cruise Night in the summer and to Mr. and Mrs. Claus in December. The South Hadley DPW handles any pavilion reservations. Learn more about renting.

Town Facilities & Athletic Fields

Peruse the /Facilities. Many of these are available for reservation.