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Providence Parks

Joseph P. Hassett Sr. Park

Photo showing playground structures at Joseph P. Hassett Sr. Park
Hassett Park in Spring 2025. Play structure for ages 2-12 features two slides
Hassett Park playground for ages 2-12 features balance beam
Hassett Park basketball court facing west
Hassett Park entrance sign at the corner of Candace St and Orms St
Hassett Park basketball court facing west with Orms St entrance in view
Hassett Park looking south to basketball court from playground crawl tube
Hassett Park view of playground from Goddard St entrance with mature shade trees over the picnic and seating areas
Hassett Park view of swings for ages 2-12 and basketball court from atop the play structure
Hassett Park picnic area features 4 tables including one ADA-accessible table
Hassett Park swings for ages 2-12
Hassett Park play structure for ages 2-12 features a bumpy slide and various climbers
Hassett Park view from inside play structure with roof across bridge to curved slide
Hassett Park play structure for ages 2-12 the slides are accessible by stairs
Photo showing playground structures at Joseph P. Hassett Sr. Park
Hassett Park in Spring 2025. Play structure for ages 2-12 features two slides
Hassett Park playground for ages 2-12 features balance beam
Hassett Park basketball court facing west
Hassett Park entrance sign at the corner of Candace St and Orms St
Hassett Park basketball court facing west with Orms St entrance in view
Hassett Park looking south to basketball court from playground crawl tube
Hassett Park view of playground from Goddard St entrance with mature shade trees over the picnic and seating areas
Hassett Park view of swings for ages 2-12 and basketball court from atop the play structure
Hassett Park picnic area features 4 tables including one ADA-accessible table
Hassett Park swings for ages 2-12
Hassett Park play structure for ages 2-12 features a bumpy slide and various climbers
Hassett Park view from inside play structure with roof across bridge to curved slide
Hassett Park play structure for ages 2-12 the slides are accessible by stairs

History

Candace Street Park was dedicated to Joseph P. Hassett Sr. in October 2015 (Providence City Council Website). Joseph Hassett Sr. was a memorable figure in the Smith Hill neighborhood. Director of the Providence Recreation Department, he also found the time to coach basketball at St. Patrick Academy and Our Lady of Providence (where the VA Hospital now stands). He was known for being a demanding coach and there are many famous “Joseph Hassett Sr.” stories that people who knew him can recount, but his efforts produced results. His own son, Joseph Hassett Jr., played for Providence College and later joined the NBA with the Seattle team that won the title in 1979 (Providence Journal). Joseph Hassett Sr.’s other son, Terrence Hassett, was a city councilman who represented the Smith Hill and Valley neighborhoods. Keeping with the sports theme, this park featured street hockey in the area north of the basketball court, before the first playground was built here in 1988. It also housed a Memorial for William A. Gray and James J. Corry.

Recent Improvements

  • Electricity for the park lighting was restored in 2026.
  • Fence and site improvements completed in 2022.
  • Renovations to walkways and picnic areas were completed in 2020.

Basketball Court

  • Lined court with player benches
  • 83ft x 50ft

Details

Status
Open Year-Round
Neighborhood
Smith Hill
Acreage
0.6 acres
Coordinates
41.834157, -71.421618
Address
11 Candace Street
Get Directions →

Amenities

Basketball Courts
Picnic Areas
Playground (ages 2-12)
Playground (ages 2-5)
Playground (ages 5-12)
Seating Areas
Walking Paths

Report an Issue

To report a maintenance issue at this location, submit a request through PVD 311 or contact the Parks Department directly.

PVD 311 →
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Providence Parks creates and maintains exceptional, accessible green spaces that serve as the foundation for wellbeing, quality of life, and environmental stewardship in Providence, Rhode Island.



Contact
Providence Parks Department
Clark Dalrymple Boathouse
Roger Williams Park
1000 Elmwood Ave
Providence, RI 02905

Superintendent: Wendy Nilsson
providenceri.gov/parks