Facilities at The Dana L. Thompson Memorial Park

The Park House is the hub of the Park. Built in 2013, this 4,500 square foot facility includes a 900 square foot Activity Room (complete with gas fireplace, kitchenette, tables and chairs for about 60 people, multi-media equipment), public Wi-Fi, first-aid room, men’s’ and women’s’ changing rooms with showers, two family bathrooms (one with a shower) and four bathrooms (two for each gender), which are accessible from inside or outside, and houses the Parks and Recreation Department offices.

The Activity Room is available for rent. For more details contact the Parks and Recreation Department at (802) 362-1439 or parks@manchester-vt.gov.

The Manchester swimming pool is open in the summer months, typically from the middle of June to late August. The 6 lane swimming pool includes a diving board and an outdoor sound system. The pool is available for private parties. Public Wi-Fi is available. For more details about the pool, user fees and the pool schedule please contact the Parks and Recreation Department at (802) 362-1439 or parks@manchester-vt.gov.

Applejack Stadium was constructed in 2005. Applejack Stadium is widely regarded as one of the best natural grass playing surface in Vermont. The stadium includes game-quality field lighting for night games.

In the fall the Stadium hosts Burr and Burton Academy football and soccer, and other local high school and middle schools; and in the spring Applejack hosts Burr and Burton lacrosse games. Since 2016 the Stadium has also hosted NCAA college soccer games. Past teams including Division I teams UVM (men and women), Dartmouth College, UAlbany, Hartwick College, Division II American International College, and Division III teams Castleton University (men and women), Middlebury College, Williams College, Southern Vermont College (men and women), Mass College of Liberal Arts, SUNY Delhi, SUNY Plattsburgh, SUNY Poly, and SUNY Cobleskill.

The Stadium takes advantage of an historic grandstand, which was part of the horse racing track. The grandstand can seat up to 1,000 spectators and features spectacular view of the Green Mountains. Applejack Stadium also includes two large electronic scoreboards (donated by the Union Underground and the Manchester Rotary Club). In 2011 the Town added a two story announcing booth. The announcing booth includes a powerful public address system (amplified, wired and wireless microphone, compact disc player), and three workstations for coaches, scorekeepers, the media, photographers and videographers.  The first floor of the announcing booth includes a training room and changing room for game officials.

The playing field can accommodate uses up to 125 yards long and 80 yards wide. The nearby Park House provides bathroom facilities for the Stadium. Concessions are available for most games (see below). Unless otherwise noted, admission for games is $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for students under 18 and seniors 65 and older. Gate admission is used to support the ongoing maintenance of the Stadium, including field lighting. All major credit cards are accepts at the ticket booth and concession stand. Please note, there is no smoking or dogs allowed inside of Applejack Stadium.

Use of Applejack Stadium is by permit only. For information about using Applejack Stadium contact the Manchester Parks and Recreation Department at 802-362-1439 or parks@manchester-vt.gov.

Aerial photograph of Eckhardt Field (center) with McClellan Field (right), Applejack Stadium (left) and the Green Mountain in the background (photos by Les Jorgensen)

Eckhardt Field is dedicated to John G. Eckhardt, an educator at Burr and Burton Academy, decorated solider and the founder of the Burr and Burton Academy soccer program in the 1960s. McClellan Field is dedicated to Joe McClellan, a well respected social studies teacher at Burr and Burton Academy.

The high quality athletic fields were constructed in the summer of 2016 through a partnership with Burr and Burton Academy, Manchester Elementary Middle School, Equinox Lacrosse and Manchester Youth Soccer. In addition to $75,000 from the Town of Manchester and $75,000 from Burr and Burton Academy, numerous local residents, businesses and organizations contributed to the construction of the fields, including a generous donation by Derry and Judy Taylor.

Eckhardt Field and McClellan Field are located side-by-side and just north of Applejack Stadium. Each field can accommodate playing surfaces as large as 120 yards long and 75 yards wide. The fields are irrigated. Each field features a large electronic scoreboard, player benches and scorer’s tables. Potable water is available at the fields.

Please note, there is no smoking or dogs allowed on Eckhardt Field and McClellan Field. Use of Eckhardt Field and McClellan Field are by permit only. For information about using Applejack Stadium contact the Manchester Parks and Recreation Department at 802-362-1439 or parks@manchester-vt.gov.

Reconstructed in 2019 and 2020 through a partnership with Burr and Burton Academy, Knapp Field, name for Burr and Burton student-athlete Eric Knapp, was enlarged to 120 yards long and 75 yards wide. The playing surface was regraded and new sod installed. The improved facility includes a 400 meter track and field facility around the playing field. The facility includes two long jump / triple jump pits, high jump, pole vault, shot put and discus. The field is located in the northwest corner of the Park, near the entrance to the Park off Bonnet Street (Route 30). A portable electronic scoreboard is available upon request.

Important Note: The Track at Knapp Field is open to the public when not being used by the Burr and Burton Academy track and field team. Typically, practices run from Monday through Thursday from 3:00 to 5:00 and Friday from 1:00 to 3:00 in April and May.  Please call the Parks and Recreation Department at 802-362-1439 with questions regarding public access.