Playgrounds, Memories, and Change: A Day at Livingston Park in Manchester, NH

Nostalgia in New Hampshire

New Hampshire is full of places that remind you of the good old days. Some are created that way by design, like Calef’s Country Store in Barrington, while others simply remain untouched, lovingly maintained, but unchanged. These spots carry a sense of history that instantly transports you back in time.

A few years ago, when I took my oldest to Livingston Park in Manchester, I was surprised to see the same play structure my cousins and I grew up playing on. The sight brought back a wave of childhood memories that I hadn’t expected. It was as if time had stood still.

Childhood Memories at Livingston Park

Growing up, I didn’t live particularly close to Manchester, but my grandmother, affectionately known as Geegee, did. So did a few of my cousins. Livingston Park was just a quick walk from her home, and since she no longer drove by the time I was old enough for outings, that walking distance was key.

It also didn’t hurt that our visits often ended with a stop at the Backroom for ice cream on the way home. Those simple adventures became some of my sweetest memories, tied forever to both the playground and to Geegee.

A Return Visit With My Kids

This past Saturday, I set out with my kids, not quite sure where we’d end up. What I did know was that we needed to get out of the house, burn off some energy, and go a little further than our usual outings. I was craving a change of scenery.

We landed at Livingston Park, and I quickly discovered more than I expected. The playground had been completely redone. A few years earlier, the old structure still stood, looking as sturdy as ever. I didn’t expect that to change so soon.

Goodbye to the Old, Hello to the New

In place of the familiar playset was a whimsical bee-themed structure, complete with towering flowers and unique slides. My kids loved it instantly, darting from one feature to the next with squeals of excitement. I found myself smiling as I watched them, but also unexpectedly tearing up.

As surprising as it had been to find my childhood playground intact a few years ago, it was even more surprising to find it gone. The pang of goodbye was real, but it softened as I watched my kids light up with joy on the new equipment. Change can be beautiful, but goodbyes are often bittersweet.

A Lesson in Change

That afternoon reminded me of a deeper truth, one that also carries into my work. Moving into a new home can be everything you’ve dreamed of, full of opportunities and excitement. Yet at the same time, it can be incredibly difficult to let go of the familiar and the memories tied to it.

Both playgrounds, the one I knew as a child and the new one my kids now enjoy, hold value. One gave me my memories, and the other is giving them theirs. In that way, change is not just an ending, but also a beautiful beginning.