Parks and Recreation

Melrose is surrounded by an “emerald belt” of reservation land, the Middlesex Fells Reservation, perfect for hiking, biking, and other outdoor pursuits. Please visit the Friends of the Fells. Just north of the downtown area lies scenic Ell Pond, which holds an annual festival. Throughout the city, there are activities for all ages. A variety of sports programs fill our state-of-the-art parks and fields, including Melrose Youth Soccer; Churchill American, Incarnation, and National Little Leagues; Softball; Basketball; Hockey; Lacrosse; and Pop Warner Football and Cheerleading. Some favorite community spots for picnics, playgrounds, and games include Melrose Common, Pine Banks Park, and Mount Hood Memorial Park, which also offers a year round recreational facility. Melrose offers superb golfing facilities at Mount Hood and Bellevue. If you want to participate in organized fun at Melrose's parks, check out our Community Calendar.			Ell Pond gazebo
			Melrose kids playing soccer
Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall Melrose Arts Festival	Melrose hosts a number of programs to promote creativity and culture. We have our own eighty-three year old Melrose Symphony Orchestra, which is the longest running volunteer symphony orchestra in the country. Our local cable channel, MMTV runs a variety of educational and informative programs. The Melrose Arts and Cultural Association unites artists and art enthusiasts to encourage further creative endeavors like the Melrose Arts Festival. The Melrose Arts Council distributes funding for various arts activities including the Fourth of July Concert at Mount Hood and Writers’ Week at the Middle School. Drama, music, and artistic programs are offered throughout the city too, from the Polymnia Choir to the Destination Imagination program. Many of these activities are hosted at the city’s own Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall which is an 800-seat theater located at the hub of downtown.
Our local library provides quality service with a newly renovated facility and computer equipment. Events frequently hosted at the library include the Children’s Author Festival, the annual Summer Reading Program, PAL Arts and Crafts Program, book clubs, and family concerts held on the lawn. Meanwhile, the local YMCA helps strengthen the community and brings Melrose residents together through its fitness programs, activities, and volunteer opportunities. Back to main page		Melrose Public Library Melrose YMCA