GREENFIELD — This field located between Beacon and Sanderson streets has a long history to talk about and write about.
I do not know when the town of Greenfield acquired this piece of land or if it was ever willed to the town. The assessor’s office could possibly give us the answer to that question. Anyways, it is at a beautiful location just below Poet’s Seat Tower and Rocky Mountain. A great decision was made back then to have it as one of Greenfield’s parks.
During my junior and senior high school years, I would go there to watch the Greenfield High School’s football team play their home games. Many years ago now, the Greenfield Lion’s Club sponsored a semi-pro football team that played their games there as well. Similar to the Elks and Moose, this club did a lot for the residents of Greenfield. I was a member of it for many years before its ending.
One of the attractions at Beacon Field was its toboggan chute. What a ride you would receive going down Rocky Mountain and ending in a bowl-shaped structure.
For many years now, the Fourth of July celebration has taken place there. Where else can everyone enjoy the beautiful fireworks displays from the top of the mountain and the tower itself, an enjoyable evening well spent doing just that?
The Winter Carnival has some of its events that take place at the field as well. And years ago there were drum and bugle corps competitions that used to take place there.
The residents of Greenfield should feel proud that they have this piece of land to enjoy using. It is well cared for and you tennis people can use the courts there when the desire is there.
Greenfield, now a city, has a lot going for it. It was my home for many of my years.
Hope you like reading another one of my stories about the past.
Robert Bitzer, who lives in Erving, is a frequent contributor to the Recorder.