Ledyard Park, a new park on the east side of South Main Street between Ledyard National Bank and Citizens Bank, is currently under construction and is projected to be completed in the spring of 2026. The project was spearheaded by the Town of Hanover in partnership with local businesses and community groups and aims to create a versatile venue for performances and casual socializing, according to town manager Robert Houseman.
Houseman stated that while the area is owned by Ledyard National Bank, the town and the bank “entered a license agreement to build the park” earlier this year.
The town split the construction of the park into two phases, Houseman said. Phase one, which includes the installation of the park itself, was delayed earlier this month after the town encountered “environmental” issues.
Houseman hopes phase one will be completed “within the [next] week.”
“Once that hiccup has been properly addressed, we will continue to move forward with the park,” he said.
According to Houseman, phase two of construction involves the installation of a “superstructure” including “metal and sun canopies.”
Phase two will take “several months” because the structures are custom orders, Houseman added.
The effort is being supported in part by Explore Hanover, the public-facing side of the town’s Downtown Hanover Working Group. The group comprises business owners, community members, Dartmouth representatives, town officials and the Upper Valley Business Alliance, according to Yuri Naidu ’27, Dartmouth’s student representative on DHWG.
“The DHWG tackles quality-of-life and ease-of-doing-business issues such as planning and promotion, social media marketing, parking management, community engagement and support for new businesses to navigate Hanover,” Naidu said.
Naidu added that he has been involved in developing a fundraising strategy and project website for the group.
The design of the park addresses a long-standing gap in Hanover’s downtown infrastructure, according to Houseman.
“The town of Hanover doesn’t have a multi-use facility that can host readings, presentations or music,” Houseman explained. “We rely, in part, on the Green.”
Once completed, the park will offer programming overseen by Hanover’s Department of Parks and Recreation, Houseman said.
“We view [the park] as a potential for regular concerts, … food trucks … and a place with tables and chairs for just casual sitting,” Houseman said.
Local business owners are eager to see the park open. J.Crew manager Mathew Phillips said businesses are “excited to have a space where people can gather and run events.”
“We feel like this is something long overdue, and it’s going to be a great gathering space for the community,” Phillips said.
For Dartmouth students, the park offers both a performance space and a chance to connect with the broader community, according to Naidu.
“The roll-out stage is envisioned as a potential performance spot for student bands, dance groups and a capella,” he said.
