Walter & Mary Smyk Park

Smyk Park is an open space park for residents of Stratham for passive recreation.

The Park is a 10-acre property at 7 Bunker Hill Avenue, bequeathed to the town by the late Walter and Mary Smyk.

“Mary and Walter’s bequest was the most generous donation the town has received since Edward Tuck gave us (Stratham Hill Park),” resident Dave Canada said. Canada served as a member on the town’s Smyk Property Study Committee formed in the spring of 2018 to give the Select Board a recommendation on what to do with the property.

At their regularly scheduled meeting held on September 17th, 2018 the Stratham Select Board agreed to accept the property as a Town Park for the residents of Stratham.

In 2022, the Town of Stratham per the Smyk's bequest installed a commemorative plaque at the Park to recognize the Smyk's and the contributions to the Stratham community. This plaque was funded by the estates Trustees. The language of the plaque reads as follows:  

Walter and Mary Smyk Property

The Smyk Park has been made possible through the generosity of Walter and Mary Smyk, Stratham residents from 1993 until their deaths. Walter Smyk, a former fighter pilot and farmer, was the developer of The Meridian, the tallest building in San Diego at the time it was built. Upon their move from California, the couple became an integral part of Stratham, with Walt serving on the Planning Board and Mary serving in leadership roles with the Seacoast Federation of Republican Women. Walt also did fine carpentry work for the Stratham Community Church.

Prior to its ownership by the Smyks, the property was the site of many gatherings of the Stratham Unity Club, a women’s community service organization.  The Smyks in turn welcomed many residents at large gatherings in their home. Recognizing that many in Stratham treasured the landscaped property, the Smyks chose to bequeath it to the Town.  We sincerely appreciate their generosity and vision. 

The property has specific covenants placed on the land by the family’s trust, specifically to be used as a park for residents to use for recreation and cultural events. 

Smyk Study Committee Materials