Veterans Memorial Park is a 149‑acre town-owned recreational area located at 265 Beacon Road in Bethany. Centered around the picturesque Hockanum Lake, the park offers a mix of outdoor recreation, waterfront activities, and rentable facilities for residents. A current parking pass is required to visit the park.

 

Park Amenities 

• Hockanum Lake with a designated swimming beach
• Walking trails around the lake plus multiple hiking trails, including an easy loop around the water and more moderate trails leading into the surrounding woodlands.
• Playground, basketball and tennis courts
• Open athletic fields, including space commonly used for soccer, frisbee, and other sports.
• Picnic areas, scenic spots around the lake, and peaceful areas for relaxing
• Lodge and Pavilion available for rental (details below)
• Wetlands and wildlife, including an active beaver population with visible lodge structures along the lake.

 

For your safety

Please note that ice skating, ice fishing, and playing on the ice is not recommended. Ice thickness is not tested by the town. Skate, fish, and play at your own risk.

 

Trails

Lake Loop Trail: An easy, scenic walk circling Hockanum Lake with views of beaver lodges and wetlands.
Woodland Trails: More moderate trails that connect to nearby Town-owned open space and Bethany Land Trust preserves.

view more from the bethany land trust

 

Parking Pass

Parking is available on-site. Bethany residents must display a valid annual Resident Veterans Park/Recycling sticker, non‑residents must obtain an annual Non‑Resident Veterans Park parking permit.
Get a parking pass

 

Rental Facilities

Lakeview Lodge and the Vets Park Pavilion are available for rent for activities, birthdays, parties, and community events.
Reserve Vets Park

 

About the Park

Acquired in 1997 to expand public recreation and protect one of the last properties in town with a lake, Bethany West officially opened to the public in 1999 and was later rededicated as Bethany Veterans Memorial Park. The Wall of Honor, added in 2002, serves as a tribute to Bethany residents who served in the armed forces. Formerly the site of the Beacon Outing Club, the property was once a popular place for ice skating and skiing, featuring ski slopes, a small lift, and a clubhouse now known as Lakeview Lodge. Today the park has become a community hub for seasonal events, sports, and lakeside recreation, continuing a long tradition of gathering and outdoor enjoyment on the site.