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Prescott Park: Portsmouth's Waterfront Jewel

Discover Prescott Park in Portsmouth: a scenic waterfront oasis with gardens, arts, and community events on the Piscataqua River.

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Prescott Park, a waterfront park in Portsmouth, NH, offers gardens, performance spaces, and stunning river views. Created from a reclaimed industrial area by the Prescott sisters, it's a vibrant hub for community events and natural beauty.

A brief summary to Prescott Park

  • Monday 12 am-12 am
  • Tuesday 12 am-12 am
  • Wednesday 12 am-12 am
  • Thursday 12 am-12 am
  • Friday 12 am-12 am
  • Saturday 12 am-12 am
  • Sunday 12 am-12 am

Local tips

  • Check the Prescott Park Arts Festival schedule for free events, including Broadway musicals and concerts, during the summer.
  • Take a stroll through the gardens, which peak in August and September, and admire the diverse flower varieties and landscaping.
  • Enjoy a picnic by the waterfront, taking in the views of the Piscataqua River and the harbor.
  • Visit the Portsmouth Love Wall and add your own love lock, or simply admire the collection.
  • Consider attending a yoga session in the park.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From Market Square in downtown Portsmouth, walk down Market Street towards the waterfront. Turn left onto Marcy Street. Prescott Park is located at 105 Marcy St, on your left. The walk is about 10 minutes.

  • Public Transport

    Take the COAST bus to Market Square in Portsmouth. From there, walk down Market Street and turn onto Marcy Street. Prescott Park will be on your left. Bus fare is approximately $1.50.

  • Driving

    From I-95, take Exit 7 towards Portsmouth. Follow the signs to downtown and then to Market Street, turning onto Marcy Street. Prescott Park is at 105 Marcy Street. Limited street parking is available, costing $1.00 to $2.00 per hour. During evening events, consider parking at Strawbery Banke Museum for $15.00.

Unlock the Best of Prescott Park

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Discover more about Prescott Park

Prescott Park, a ten-plus acre waterfront park in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is a testament to community spirit and urban renewal. The park's origins trace back to the 1930s when sisters Josie and Mary Prescott, both public school teachers, used an inheritance to purchase and clear properties along the Piscataqua River. Their vision was to transform a run-down industrial area into a public waterfront park, free and accessible to all. The park was willed to the city of Portsmouth in 1954. Today, Prescott Park features flower gardens, walking paths, and open spaces. The park hosts the Prescott Park Arts Festival, which includes outdoor productions of Broadway plays and other performances during the summer months. The park also contains two old warehouses, including the 1705 Sheafe Warehouse. Visitors can explore various individual garden spaces, from formal plantings around the waterfront anchor and Cabot Lyford's "Whale" sculpture to hostas along the Mechanic Street edge. The Liberty Gardens feature annuals designed and installed by city staff, attracting butterflies and other pollinators. Garden tours are offered seasonally. The park also features a marina and fishing pier. The Portsmouth Love Wall, located on the waterside of the parking lot, displays love locks symbolizing undying love.

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