Hayward Park

250 Friendship Street, Providence, RI

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Built In

1889

History

Hayward Park was an area of nearly two acres, bounded by Beacon, Friendship and Plane streets. It was formerly known as the Sixth Avenue Park, or the Proprietors' burying ground, having been used for burial purposes, dated back to 1786, and bodies were moved to Swan Point Cemetery to establish the park in 1888. The city council gave it the Hayward name in honor of William S. Hayward, a former mayor of the city. A formal opening of the park and dedication of a handsome fountain, 25 1/2 feet in height, took place on the evening of September 25th, 1889. Source - History of Providence County, Rhode Island, Volume 1, 1891 For many years, the park was home of the New England checkers championship