University Park - Worcester, MA Area Guide

Eli Thayer, a prominent real estate developer, purchased parcels of land around Main Street and established University Park in the late 1840s. In 1887, Clark University was founded by businessman Jonas Gilman Clark, making it the oldest all-graduate university in the country. By 1890, the neighborhood had grown once again, this time with a variety of multi-unit housing options.

Though he didn't live in the area, Sigmund Freud delivered his famous "Clark Lectures" at the university in 1909. Famous anthropologist Franz Boas taught at the university from 1888 to 1892, and Robert Goddard, considered a founder of rocket science and missile technology, chaired the Physics Department during the 1920s.

While most of the city's art and craft museums reside in Worcester proper, University Park hosts ARTSWorcester Gallery, which gives local artists a chance to exhibit their work, engage in dialogue about the arts, and even find opportunities to financially support their work through grants and workshops.

Traina Center for the Arts, a state-of-the-art gallery and studio space at Clark, provides movie editing, music studios, and drawing/painting spaces. Similarly, the Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts helps to keep the lively arts scene going with music, installations, photography, and plays.

MassJazz hosts an annual NOLA Jazz festival in summer, featuring some of New Orleans' best jazz and zydeco talent.

A wide variety of restaurants await visitors to University Park, which allows residents to easily satisfy any international food craving from Indian and Chinese to Greek, Middle Eastern, and Italian. Most restaurants sit near Clark University in order to cater to the college crowd.

Park Grill & Spirits earns high marks from locals for its American classics done with a Mediterranean flair. Though parking often proves tricky, this establishment draws rave reviews from diners over its service. While here, make it a priority to try the sirloin tips and harvest ravioli.

El Basha serves Lebanese cuisine in three locations around the Worcester area. Established by the Sakhat family, this restaurant has charmed its customers since 1991 with traditional dishes such as fassoulia (white kidney beans and lemon in garlic sauce) and baby lamb chops. Pumpkin kibbee makes an excellent option for vegetarian diners. The Phoenix, a local newspaper, gives its full endorsement to el Basha.

Though Worcester houses many music venues, University Park relies on the Grind, a 350-seat venue near Clark University, to host local and national acts. Located in the lower level of Higgins University Center, this venue gives locals and visitors alike a chance to discover new acts before the mainstream public.

Moynihan's Pub, an establishment where Clark professors rub shoulders with students and local workers, hosts trivia nights and drink specials. Locals cite the atmosphere and excellent jukebox as two reasons they keep coming back. Nick's Bar and Restaurant, a German-themed establishment, serves soft pretzels, cheese plates with pickles, and a variety of sandwiches to accompany live music and a host of imported lagers.

Car ownership remains low in University Park. Most commuters take the bus, and several routes connect University Park to other areas of Worcester. Many others walk to work. Since University Park borders a college, the streets are very pedestrian-friendly.

Plentiful and inexpensive parking exists, given that area residents own few cars. Biking also proves extremely simple, with some streets featuring biking lanes for ease of transportation. Interstate 290, a major artery to the east of University Park, connects the neighborhood to points north and south.

The University Park neighborhood gets its name from the 13-acre parcel of public land running along the edge of Clark University. Also called Crystal Park, this area was acquired by the City of Worcester from 1887 to 1889, and the city invested $1.5 million in redevelopment funds into the project. The park features multiple tree-lined paths and opportunities for exercise. Amenities include a pond, a volleyball court, a picnic area, a basketball court, a handball court, and a spray park.

University Park features a very affordable cost of living. The cost of food and entertainment sit considerably lower than in Worcester proper. Typical rent for a one-bedroom apartment in University Park runs about $831 per month, with units closer to Clark's campus pricing slightly higher.

Thrifty students and locals alike seek bargains at Coco's Closet and other charity shops. Much of the neighborhood's commerce occurs along Main Street, where visitors find groceries, restaurants, nail salons, laundromats, and other stores.

Ethnic groceries abound around Park Street and Main, while local chains such Price Chopper, Big Y, and Shaw's at Webster Square provide options for grocery staples. Non-traditional options such as Trader Joe's and Living Earth, a natural health food store, also lie within the area. Though University Park doesn't host its own farmers' market, several options exist in nearby Worcester.