Stanley Park

Stanley Park in Hartford is a dream, making it the perfect location for your engagement photography session.

Stanley Park was opened by Frank Stanley Beveridge in 1949 on 25 acres. Today, the park encompasses more than 300 acres of trails, woods, picnic areas, recreational facilities and gardens in the Hartford area.

The gardens of Stanley Park aren’t just patches of flower beds. There are a plethora of different gardens to fit the mood and aesthetic of your engagement photography shoot! Choose between the Rose & Flower Garden, the Asian Garden, the Rhododendron Display Garden, The Arboretum, the Herb Garden and the Woodland Wildflower Garden. Or if you’re feeling adventurous, walk through the park and check out more than one!

If you’re planning your engagement session between mid-June and September, you’ll be able to enjoy the full majesty of the Rose & Flower Garden. This particular garden is home several hundred rose bushes and more than 30 varieties of roses. At peak season, it’s truly breathtaking, making for the perfect backdrop for your Hartford engagement photography.

For those visiting in early spring, you’ll want to check out the Rhododendron Display Garden and the Asian Garden. The Rhododendron Display Garden has its peak season from mid-May to early June. During this time, you can enjoy hundreds of rare species of Rhododendrons. The Asian Garden has a slightly longer peak season, extending from mid-May through mid-June. In the Asian Garden, you’ll find alpine conifers, azaleas, flowering deciduous shrubs and even more rhododendrons!

If you’re looking for a more “untamed wilderness” vibe, The Arboretum and Woodland Wildlife Garden are for you. Here, you’ll be able to enjoy the expansive greenery, towering trees and trails surrounded by fields of wildflowers.

Black squirrels, which are numerous throughout Pioneer Valley, are especially numerous in Stanley Park. Keep your eyes peeled during your visit. You’re sure to come across one - or several. You may even find it making a cameo in your engagement photos!

Photo Permit Required: Yes

Photo Permit Cost: $75 for one hour