Cold Spring Brook Memorial Park

Cold Spring Brook Memorial Park. . , At one time there were two dams across Cold Spring Brook within what is now the Park. The Upper Dam, which is small and remains, and a Lower Dam, much larger and which withheld a significant impoundment of water. The Lower Dam was breeched during tropical storm Irene in 2011, was declared unrepairable and was largely demolished in August of 2019 to restore stream flow and permit landscaping of the Park., Function or Folly: Did Senator (Mass.) Lewis Parkhurst construct the dams, with their waterfalls, as ornaments or "follies" or did they predate his conversion of Weston's failed industrial district into Cold Spring Park? The controversy remains to this day..., There is no evidence of the date of construction of either dam. The Lower Dam is cited in a transfer deed dated 1868, so must have been in existence prior. Neither dam was directly connected to any manufactory; the assumption is that they served to create reservoirs to provide power to a large grist mill below the Lower Dam when stream flow from the Brook was inadequate., The 1868 deed cited above suggests that the dams, ponds and waterfalls dated from the mid-1800s, but there is little doubt that Parkhurst restored, enhanced and, perhaps, enlarged them. The Lower Dam was some 100’ feet in length, angled East Northeast to West Southwest across the Brook, with a slight angle to the North 27’ from the West end. There was a 30' wide spillway that provided a dramatic 14’ waterfall. The downstream face of the dam was vertical, consisting of stacked stone masonry while the upstream face was sloped and consisted of poured concrete or aggregate. Rectangular capstones comprised the crest., Preservation: A short section of the Lower Dam was retained in the interest of Historic Preservation and a number of the Dam's capstones provide seating on the benches along the Brook. [Captions:] , Top Middle Photo: For years, local residents and visitors enjoyed the serene beauty of the park with its dams, waterfalls and stream., On August 28-29, 2011, floodwaters from Tropical Storm Irene rushed down Cold Spring Brook, breaching the lower dam, thus draining the pond and leaving it unsightly, unhealthy, and subject to further erosion. Damage was such that rebuilding the dam was not an option., It was decided to demolish the damaged lower dam and restore the brook to its original stream course. On August 12, 2019, work began on this very important restoration project., Within this undertaking it was critical that the integrity of the local flora and fauna be supported and maintained in the park. The planting of numerous trees and shrubs would attract various species of birds, provide shade for the fish and prevent erosion of stream banks all the while creating a lively, active and natural environment., 1. In the late nineteenth century, the area of the park was the industrial heart of Weston, known as Charlestown, with mills and factories powered by Cold Spring Brook., 2. By the early 20th century, mass production, enhanced transportation, and the lure of city jobs decimated Weston's small, local industries. The buildings stood abandoned and decaying. In the 1930s, NH State Senator Lewis Parkhurst, a part time Weston resident, acquired all the abandoned properties, razed the buildings (save one which was removed) and landscaped the area, including the restoration and enlargement of two dams., The Parkhurst family deeded their lands along the brook to the Weston Community Club in 1946, which opened them to the public as Cold Srping Brook Park., 4. Lewis and Emma Parkhust resided in the house across from the park, overlooking the brook., The Parkhursts inherited the house from Emma Wilder Parkhurst's father, Judge John Wilder., 5. In 1950, the Park was dedicated to both the memory of Lewis and Emma Parkhurst as well as a memorial to Weston Veterans from World War I and World War II.