Mine Falls Park - Nashua, NH

Europeans first settled this area as a fur trading station in 1655, but it wasn't chartered as a city until 1853. At that time, the future Mine Falls Park was privately owned by manufacturing interests, harnessing the flowing waters of the Nashua River to power its mills. The mills closed in 1948 and the owner, Textron, sold the land to various industrial interests. In 1969, the city of Nashua purchased the land with financial support from the federal government through the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Transforming the once-polluted industrial wasteland into a vibrant and verdant park began in 1974.

As befits a neighborhood defined by the scenic trails of its beautiful park, this area provides the site of several annual races, including the The Wolf Hollow Half Marathon and 5K and the Greater Nashua Lyme Disease Alliance's Annual 5K Walk/ Run to Bite Back for a Cure.

Most folks enjoy going out for dinner and a movie. At Chunky’s Cinema Pub, you can do both at the same time. Chunky’s shows all the latest Hollywood blockbusters accompanied by more substantial fare than popcorn. Playfully filled with movie-themed items, the menu features such gems as the Three Amigo’s Nachos and the Wizard of Ozzarella Sticks.

Get your fix of sushi, calamari or tempura at You You Japanese Bistro, the restaurant so nice they named it twice. While specializing in Japanese fare, this pan-Asian eatery also serves up the quintessentially Korean Bi Bim Bab, Thai spring rolls, and Malaysian Satay.

For good food and a good time, check out Shorty’s Mexican Roadhouse where you can always expect genuine Tex-Mex cuisine. Shorty’s features regularly scheduled events, such as kids night on Mondays, live music on Wednesdays and all-day happy hour on Sunday. Extra-special events include its annual Ugly Sweater Party in late December, and if you go on Halloween, don’t be too surprised if your server rocks a zombie costume. Customers enjoy the slow-roasted short ribs, mashed potatoes and chipotle sauce that make up one of the signature dinner selections — the Lonesome Cowboy Empanadas. Unwind with drinks and music at Haluwa Restaurant & Lounge. Karaoke night entertains guests each Thursday, and live bands play on the weekends. You can get Asian cuisine and local or imported beer, but people tend to be even more excited by the scorpion bowls and mai tais.

Served by the Nashua Transit System, seven bus routes operate throughout the region, including the 8 bus that services Mine Falls Park.. The 9 and maroon bus lines make stops on the northwestern side of the park. The area to the northeast of the park is served by the 9, Maroon and Pink bus lines.

You may be able to hail a cab in this part of town if you can catch one, but it’s more reliable to call Nashua Taxi Dispatch Service Inc. or U Trans Taxi, each serving the entire city of Nashua. As of early 2015, Uber doesn't provide service in Nashua.

Motorists can park their cars at lots set up around the perimeter of the park, but free parking remains limited to a few hours. Roads in the area have no dedicated bike lanes, but cycling tends to be common and safe on the roads in the area around the park. Several paved trails running through the park itself also see extensive use by cyclists. The neighborhood surrounding the park allows for safe pedestrian access.

The biggest highway running through Nashua, the Everett Turnpike, overlaps US Route 3 and runs directly through the approximate center of Mine Falls Park. Entrances to this highway lie about 1,000 feet north of the park and one mile south of it.

By far the largest park in the city of Nashua, Mine Falls Park comprises 325 acres of forests, wetlands, fields, trails and recreational facilities. During the winter, park-goers enjoy cross-country skiing, ice skating and snowshoeing. In warmer weather, the athletic fields teem with teams of baseball, lacrosse and soccer players, including both children and adult leagues. Many locals also enjoy boating and fishing on the Nashua River surrounding the park. Open to the public and free of charge, this park makes for an affordable family outing. However, be aware that some park-based athletics programs do require a small fee. The park also welcomes dogs so long as they remain leashed and cleaned up after.

Just south of Mine Falls Dam at the southernmost tip of the park, the Stellos Stadium hosts sporting events, primarily for area high school teams. The stadium also hosts some additional special events, such as the annual R.E.Y.E.S. Family Field Day, and the annual 5K Walk for the Visually Challenged.

The cost of living in Nashua runs about 17 percent higher than the national average and less than 1 percent higher than the state average. By comparison, the cost of living in the nearby metropolis of Boston sits 22 percent higher than in Nashua. The average rental rate runs around $1,304.47. Bus fare to downtown Nashua from the Mine Falls Park area sets you back $1.25, or you can purchase a $40 monthly pass. Gas costs about 9.6 percent more than the national average. Get a domestic beer at a local pub for $3.75 and an import for $4.25.

While the downtown area about a mile east of the park runs dense with shops, comparatively sparser shopping opportunities exist in the Mine Falls Park area. The area immediately northwest of the park features the highest concentration of commercial real estate, largely within the Nashua Mall complex, which contains mostly large chain stores, including Home Depot, Burlington Coat Factory, Fleet Feet Sports, Kohl’s and L.L. Bean.

Just south of the mall, locals shop for groceries at Hannaford, a New England supermarket chain. While there no farmer's markets set up shop in this area of the city, the Nashua Farmers' Market nearby on the Main Street Bridge opens every Sunday from June through October. If you want to go for a ride along one of the many scenic trails in Mine Creek Park, but have misplaced your bicycle, don’t worry: Goodale’s Bike Shop located just northeast of the park has you covered. This retailer has mountain bikes, road bikes and hybrids available for sale and for rent — seven days a week — and it stays open until 8:00 p.m. on weeknights. Goodale’s supports numerous charity rides in the area, raising money to support victims of breast cancer, multiple sclerosis and cystic fibrosis.

Mark’s Furniture & Bedding located just east of the park specializes in mattresses, including the well-respected Corsicana and Therapedic brands. It also carries sofas, dinettes, recliners and all other types of household furniture. Mark’s has been a family-run business for three generations over the course of 30 years, and its customers appreciate the personal touch.