Bowden Park at Cedar Park
Written and Photographed by Nancy Clover
Wait! What! The park next to Cedar Park train station isn’t called Cedar Park????
Thanks Nancy Park on the Old Time Melrose Facebook group:
“Cedar Park” does not refer to an actual park. It refers to an early suburban development that was laid out in 1851 and comprises the streets of North and South Cedar Park. Sometime in the 20th century, city planners began to refer to the entire surrounding neighborhood as Cedar Park, which led to the MBTA taking the name for the train station.
The parcel that is today Bowden Park was purchased in 1854 by Daniel W. Gooch, whose house was perched on the hill overlooking the land. The Gooch family owned the plot for the next 66 years, and even though it was perfectly suited for residential or industrial use, they never developed it. The reason was probably quite simple: they looked out at this land from their front window, and they did not want their view spoiled. Gooch was also a congressman and would use the land as overflow space for large political gatherings.
In 1920 the Gooch family sold it to their neighbor at 56 Vinton Street, Frederick P. Bowden. Bowden was one of Melrose’s wealthiest citizens and most generous benefactors, having made a fortune from his family’s medical supply business. He paid for the land outright, and in January of 1921 gave it to Melrose with the stipulation that “no buildings shall ever be erected on said land and that it shall be kept open forever for the benefit of the people of Melrose.” The city began calling it Bowden Park.
Bowden Park is well utilized – besides hosting the Farmers Markets on Thursdays (Opening day is June 1), children play games, parents push strollers, people sit on the benches and talk, dog walkers love it.
The Girl Scouts have a wonderful circle of bricks with all the troops and there is a boulder with a plaque for Bill McNamara in appreciation for his support of the Melrose Girl Scouts.
There are benches dedicated to a Melrose artist, Tom Sutherland, and a corner for Marie Turner, thanking her for 40 years of service as a traffic supervisor.
The park has a picnic table and bike rack.
There is an amazing art instillation “the Green Man Mosaic Mural” which was created by 35 artists and designed by Melrose artist, Lisa Tiemann! The mosaic has pictures of animals hidden throughout it. There are 14 birds, four reptiles, two mammals, one amphibian, several insects, and various plants – can you find them all?
There is a mobile sculpture that I am curious about- it has a twin at Ell Pond – does anyone know their story?
I am grateful to the Gooch and Bowden families for this park. Victorians strolled through parks to rejuvenate – what a delightful idea! I hope to see you at Cedar Park, sorry Bowden Park.
