History, culture, sports and recreation all come together in Downtown Holyoke. There, enjoyable experiences abound for the whole family in buildings bordering a beautiful two-block state park in the heart of downtown. Between City Hall and the third-level canal, visitors can experience one of the top children’s museums in the country, take a ride on an antique merry-go-round, view exhibits in the Volleyball Hall of Fame, and learn about Holyoke’s beginnings in the industrial revolution at the Heritage
State Park Visitors Center.
Across the canal from Heritage State Park is the Canalwalk. The Holyoke Canalwalk is located in an area rich in national and historical significance. Built in the late 19th century, the canals diverted waterpower from the Connecticut River and turned Holyoke into the first planned industrial city in the country. Holyoke soon became known as the Paper City of the World. Today, the mill buildings along the canals hold great architectural interest for both historians and casual strollers.
The stories of those buildings, the industries they supported, and the people who worked there are told in nearby Holyoke Heritage State Park.
The canals are a unique resource for the City of Holyoke, and the canal area is now known as the Arts & Industry District. Electrical power is still generated from the canal system, and many of the mills lining the waterways still utilize the waterpower of the canals. A number of mill buildings are still utilized as factory space, while others have been developed into studio space by artists and craftspeople, and include galleries and performance spaces.
The Canalwalk design includes a wide promenade along the 1st and 2nd Level Canals. Decorative paving and landscaping, railings, fences, streetlights, and benches will enhance as well as encourage Canalwalk users to linger and enjoy the views across the open canals.
The Canalwalk will join existing features such as the Children’s Museum, Heritage State Park, and The Volleyball Hall of Fame, as well as other future shops, cafes, galleries and businesses expanding along with this area’s development.
If you’re traveling by bus, the City of Holyoke offers a state-of-the-art transportation facility that serves as a connection for seven bus routes servicing the City. Intercity transportation will be provided by Peter Pan Bus Lines with connections to the region, New England and beyond. The Transportation Center is located at 206 Maple Street in the former Holyoke Fire Department Headquarters.
Also housed at the Holyoke Transportation Center will be the PVTA bus ticketing counter and information booth as well as a customer waiting area, driver rest area and public restrooms.
A Head Start facility will be located in the facility and will not only provide day time child care for youth from 6 months to 5 years of age, but also have extended hours to allow parents to attend evening classes and have their children in day care in the same facility. The Picknelly Adult and Family Education Center will host the Adult Basic Education and English for Speakers of Other Languages programming, and a number of related services, provided by the members of the Juntos Collaborative. In addition,
Holyoke Community College will offer credit and non-credit classes, workforce development programs, GED testing and preparation as well as a number of transition to college services including admissions, financial aid and career services.