Manson Park

Manson Park was donated to the Town of Pittsfield by John W. Manson, "a prestigious Pittsfield lawyer and businessman," and named for his mother; per the Pittsfield Historical Society's Manson Park page, the first and largest section was donated in 1926 during his lifetime, with a second section transferred upon his death in 1941 as a bequest in his will. Manson's will stated his wishes for the park: "I desire it to be improved, beautified and, if necessary, enlarged, to be used somewhat, not principally, as a sport field to which the students of Maine Central Institute shall be welcome; to be used especially as a garden, walk, and playground for all the people." Construction of the park commenced in 1946 and it was opened officially in 1948-49, per the same source; the park now serves as headquarters for the annual Central Maine Egg Festival and Kiwanis Karnival.