$319,342Average Value$298Average Price per Sq Ft25Homes For Sale
Antique homes, lively neighbors in Forest Park
When Beate Bolen decided to retire and move out of New Jersey, she knew the kind of neighborhood she was looking for. It needed to be a city neighborhood with shops within walking distance and convenient highway access but also quality homes. Bolen found all that when she moved to Forest Park in Springfield in 2012, but she quickly learned she was also becoming part of a sociable community. “When you walk down the street, you got to allow an extra 10 minutes to stop and talk with neighbors,” says Bolen, president of the Forest Park Civic Association. The neighborhood south of downtown Springfield has endured for more than 100 years thanks to its inventory of well-maintained Victorian and Arts and Crafts homes, selection of small businesses and friendly atmosphere. It’s considered one of the Massachusetts city’s most desired neighborhoods. Residents vary from families who have called Forest Park home for four generations to recent transplants from Arkansas. “I have so many buyers who are only looking in Forest Park,” says Erica Swallow, a Realtor and co-lead of the Turnberg Swallow Team at Coldwell Banker who lives in the neighborhood. “It’s that special.”
Owning a piece of Springfield history
Forest Park is known for its stock of large single-family homes, duplexes and occasional three-family properties. Most were built during Springfield’s heyday as an industrial center in the late 1800s and early 1900s, and industrialists and CEOs were among the earliest residents. Queen Anne, Craftsman and Colonial Revival homes offer wraparound porches, second-level balconies and striking paint jobs that pair blue and orange, purple and white or burgundy and green. Most homes are more than a century old, but Bolen says the quality of the construction has endured over the decades. Her 1912 home was 100 years old when she moved in. “As soon as we walked across the threshold, my partner said there’s nothing but minor repairs and cosmetic repairs for this house.” Many homes on the west side are in the Forest Park Heights Historic District, so homeowners there must get approval from the Springfield Historical Commission to modify the exterior of their houses. The small lots average less than a fifth of an acre, but houses commonly have five-plus bedrooms and multiple bathrooms. Swallow says the relative affordability of these large homes often motivates buyers from larger markets to move to Springfield, and cash offers from distant buyers can muddy the waters of an already competitive market. “You can get a 3,000-square-foot home for $350,000 to $400,000 right now, which is incredible compared to Northampton, Boston or upstate New York.” Single-family home prices typically fall between $200,000 and $450,000, with some homes near Forest Park selling in the $500,000s. Multifamily homes with four-plus units cost between $550,000 and $900,000.
A Victorian next to a Georgian styled home in Forest Park.
A stunning Victorian with a path to lead to a lovely walk in Forest Park.
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Room for privacy in Forest Park
Forest Park’s namesake isn’t a typical park. Among 736 acres of white pine forests and lakes, wallabies and bison reside at The Zoo at Forest Park, hockey leagues play on the ice of Cyr Arena and an 1890s carriage house hosts weddings. Forest Park also has baseball fields, tennis courts and nearly 2 miles of trails. Bakers and farmers set up a farmers market on Saturdays. “Forest Park is big, but it’s never really busy,” Swallow says. “It’s the exact experience of Central Park in New York City. You’ll see people playing sports and having picnics, but it’s still quiet.” Winter brings sub-freezing temperatures and snowfall to Western Massachusetts, but the neighborhood is within 2 miles of Springfield Museums. The complex of five art and history museums is affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution. There’s indoor entertainment in Forest Park, too. In 2024, 52 Sumner opened inside a 125-year-old church, creating a venue where Latin Fusion acts, Irish country artists and tribute bands take the stage.
Within Forest Park is a Zoo that has 225 species of animals to view.
A stroll across a bridge over a babbling brook in Forest Park.
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Christmas lights and neighborhood block parties
One time of year when Forest Park gets busy is December; thousands of visitors drive through the park to see 700,000 lights in the shapes of dinosaurs, a Victorian village and Dr. Seuss characters. Bright Nights at Forest Park has drawn 7 million people from across the country since 1995. The event is a Springfield tradition, but Bolen says neighborhood residents often associate it with the traffic it creates. “We don’t plan to drive on Sumner Avenue in the evenings for those couple of weeks.” The Forest Park Civic Association organizes other events to bring together as many of the neighborhood’s 25,000 residents as possible. For example, the volunteer-run civic association has put on Illumination Night for more than 30 years. The summertime block party rotates its location annually, bringing live music, games and porch decorating contests to different streets every year.
There is even a bus to take you downtown in Springfield from Forest Park.
A view of development and change is where the X meets in Forest Park, MA.
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Walking to businesses at the X
Most of Forest Park’s retail and restaurant options sit at an intersection known as the X. Straddling Sumner Avenue, Belmont Avenue and Dickinson Street, this wide and walkable district is the community’s go-to for trips to Saigon Market Vietnamese grocer, darts at X Pub and plates of eggs benedict at Cafe Christo. “I’ve never walked in where I didn’t have an interesting conversation with people I didn’t know at all,” Bolen says of Cafe Christo. The X is widely considered Springfield’s most dangerous intersection due to frequent car crashes at the junction, which was laid out before cars were common. The city began a redesign of the X in 2024 that’s meant to make it safer for drivers and pedestrians by adding sidewalks and altering traffic light patterns. “The volume of traffic was something that couldn’t have been envisioned by the designers of that intersection,” Bolen says. “We’re aware there will be disruptions from the renovations. We’ve seen that when construction goes on in the streets, the city plans it well and manages traffic pretty well in the process.” The project is expected to wrap up by 2026. Restaurants in the X and beyond serve a diverse mix of cuisine, with several Vietnamese and Dominican eateries in the neighborhood. Big-box stores and retail chains are found on the eastern outskirts of Forest Park, including Big Y supermarket, HomeGoods and Rocky’s Ace Hardware.
A delicious sandwich can be had plus more at Souper Sweet Sandwich Shop in Forest Park.
A local favorite for comfort food is Christo's Cafe in Forest Park.
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100 years of worship at Trinity United Methodist Church, Temple Beth El
Forest Park has one of Springfield's most varied collections of houses of worship. The stone towers of Trinity United Methodist Church’s Gothic Revival building have stood in the heart of the neighborhood since the 1920s. The church's lawn and parking lot host annual events including a pumpkin patch, trunk-or-treat and a nearly 4-mile walk to raise money for Church World Service, a nonprofit addressing food insecurity worldwide. Synagogues concentrated on the south end of Forest Park include Temple Beth El, the oldest Conservative Jewish congregation in Western Massachusetts. The congregation was formed in 1913, and the synagogue has been the home of Boy Scout Troop 31 since 1924. The neighborhood is also home to Masjid Baitussalam and Winding Path Buddhist Sangha, a temple that follows the Tendai school of Buddhism.
White Street School adds new playground
There are several public schools in Forest Park. White Street School teaches kindergartners through fifth graders, and it added a new playground in 2024. Niche grades White Street School a C, giving nearby Forest Park Middle School a C-minus. Students can apply to attend any Springfield Public Schools high school, including Central High School 3 miles away. The B-minus-rated school emphasizes science, technology, engineering, arts and math education through features such as an aeronautics engineering-focused Air Force JROTC program and a TV studio that hosts digital video production classes.
Next to Interstate 91
A compact development pattern, abundant sidewalks and a wide selection of businesses make many sections of Forest Park walkable or bikeable. It’s still common for residents to own cars, and Interstate 91 connects the neighborhood to downtown Springfield, 2 miles north, and Hartford, 25 miles south. Baystate Medical Center is just off the interstate 4 miles north of Forest Park. I-91 also leads to Bradley International Airport, 20 miles from Forest Park. Pioneer Valley Transit Authority bus stops are located throughout the neighborhood, so residents can reach downtown Springfield’s shops, restaurants and museums in less than half an hour.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Tanya Harvey,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
The Barney Family Mausoleum
Forest Park Zoo
Pynchon Point
Forest Park
Forest Park
Johnny Appleseed Park
Transit
Airport
Bradley International
32 min drive
Bus
Belmont & Bellevue (2)
Bus
Dwight & Boulder
Bus
Fort Pleasant & Edgeland
Bus
Belmont & Litchfield
Bus
Dwight & Putting Green (Opposite)
Bus
Sumner & Pomona
Bus
Dickinson & Burlington (1)
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Forest Park
US
Homicide
6
4
Sexual Assault
5
4
Assault with Weapon
6
4
Robbery
6
4
Burglary
5
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
5
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Forest Park Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Forest Park, Springfield sell after 53 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Forest Park, Springfield over the last 12 months is $425,000, up 35% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Whether you are starting up or downsizing, this updated 2 bedroom condo in desirable Georgetown is ready for its next owners! Situated on the Springfield/Longmeadow line, you have convenient access to shopping, restaurants, walking/hiking trails, golf course, highway access, etc! Enter into a large living room, with hardwood flooring, plenty of natural light & a half bath. The living room flows
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Charming & Spacious Colonial on a Rare Double Lot in the Highly Sought-After Forest Park Neighborhood! This 11-room, 5-bedroom, 1.5-bath home with a 2-car garage has been lovingly maintained by the same family for generations. Featuring a beautifully updated kitchen, two large living rooms, a sunroom, cozy fireplace, and an elegant dining room adorned with a crystal chandelier, this home offers
Welcome to this cozy 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom home, offering 934 square feet of peaceful living space, tucked away on a quiet wooded street. Enjoy the best of both worlds: a quiet, nature-filled backyard, with easy access to neighbors and nearby amenities. One of the standout features of this property is the backyard, which backs up to a beautiful, private wooded area. It’s the perfect place for
An Investors Dream conveniently located on the East Longmeadow line!! A 4 bedroom colonial home with tremendous potential. Needs TLC, being sold AS-IS. There is an additional parcel listed on MLS, see MLS listing #73409916. Schedule your showing today!! Cash offers preferred, will not qualify for government loans. Highest and best offers to be submitted by Wednesday evening at 8pm 7/30/25.
Spacious 4-Bed Colonial in Parkside Heights! This beautifully updated home features gleaming hardwood floors, a stunning fireplaced living room, and a bright kitchen with a cozy breakfast nook. Enjoy a formal dining room, 4 generous bedrooms, and 1.5 baths. Recent upgrades include newer siding, windows, roof and a finished basement room. Step outside to a new Trex deck, professionally landscaped,
Move in Special! NO SECURITY DEPOSIT REQUIRED.HEAT HOT WATER AND ELECTRICITY INCLUDED!!Quiet, safe community with beautifully remodeled units.New oak cabinets, stone or quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances with all new flooring these spacious units are located in the beautiful forest park area with the convenience of an on-site bus stop, just minutes from downtown
Spacious and updated 3-bedroom, 1-bath unit available August 1st! This second-floor apartment offers generous living space, natural light, and a functional layout perfect for comfortable living. Features include a bright living area, an eat-in kitchen, and three well-sized bedrooms. Conveniently situated with easy access to highways, bus lines, and everyday essentials. Ready for immediate
Come visit and experience the lifestyle Forest Park Apartments in Springfield, Massachusetts has to offer. Conveniently located just off Route I-91, Forest Park offers all the modern amenities of apartment living you deserve. Located on the edge of the beautiful and historic Forest Park neighborhood, the newly restored apartments have been thoroughly remodeled into the ideal housing for you and
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Tanya Harvey,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
25,771
Median Age
34
Population Density
11 ppl/acre
Population under 18
27.8%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
13.5%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$44,799
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$63,568
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
78.7%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
22.5%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
9.9%
% Population in Labor Force
63.9%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
51''
Average Winter Low Temperature
19°F
Average Summer High Temperature
82°F
Annual Snowfall
27''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
44/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
74/ 100
Good Transit
Transit Score®
56/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
