Smith Academy Park lies at the corner of Main and School Streets in the heart of the Connecticut River Valley town of Hatfield. The one-acre site once held Hatfield's high school, Smith Academy, and became a public open space in 1980 after the school building was razed. While the park has held many ceremonies and celebrations, the town believed it could be enhanced to accommodate many more uses. Specifically, its location and size made it an ideal location for a pavilion-type structure that could serve as a stage for concerts and a shelter for many types of gatherings, and provide a focal point within the town.
During 2014 and 2015, Martha Lyon Landscape Architecture worked with Hatfield's Open Space Committee to develop a design for a modified park landscape. The final concept reflects the character of the old Smith Academy grounds with a system of curving walkways leading to a central 25' by 25' square pavilion. Designed by local architect Mark Gelotte, the pavilion's details mimic those that appeared on the historic Stick Style Smith Academy building. Other landscape features include new plantings of deciduous trees to provide shade within the park, repositioning of commemorative boulders, and seating throughout.
During 2014 and 2015, Martha Lyon Landscape Architecture worked with Hatfield's Open Space Committee to develop a design for a modified park landscape. The final concept reflects the character of the old Smith Academy grounds with a system of curving walkways leading to a central 25' by 25' square pavilion. Designed by local architect Mark Gelotte, the pavilion's details mimic those that appeared on the historic Stick Style Smith Academy building. Other landscape features include new plantings of deciduous trees to provide shade within the park, repositioning of commemorative boulders, and seating throughout.