Talleyrand Park

Location: West High Street

Charming. Beautiful. Unique. All words used to describe Talleyrand Park, the centerpiece of Bellefonte’s park system. Talleyrand is one of the most visited parks in the region and covers 3.5 acres. Founded in 1974, the all-volunteer Talleyrand Park Committee continues to this day to improve and maintain the park, collaborating with the Borough of Bellefonte and the Bellefonte Garden Club, while focusing on reflecting the character of Bellefonte’s Victorian Heritage and cultural richness.

Talleyrand Park is near the downtown business district and offers easy access to offices, shops and restaurants. It also sits near major points of interest like the Visitor’s Center located in the Train Station, the Bellefonte Waterfront Walk, and the American Philatelic Center, formerly a nineteenth-century Match Factory, now on the National Historic Register of Historic Places. Spring Creek flows through Talleyrand Park and with it comes native wildlife species including fish, mammals, birds and waterfowl.

Talleyrand Park hosts a large population of migrating waterfowl, including mallards, occasional herons and Canadian geese. Be aware that it is prohibited to feed the Talleyrand Park ducks. A diet of white bread can be fatal to waterfowl and lead to malnutrition or disease. Please be kind and keep our flock healthy!

Edible Landscape and Pollinator (aka Butterfly) Gardens
First planted in May 2011, the Edible Garden is located in the Talleyrand Park Annex near the American Philatelic Center. The garden was created by members of the Talleyrand Park Committee and includes herbs, edible flowers, vegetables, and small fruit. More information on the Edible Garden can be found here.

The Bellefonte Pollinator Garden is a collaboration between the Bellefonte Historical and Cultural Association’s Talleyrand Park Committee and the Bellefonte Garden Club. It is a satellite garden of the Snetsinger Butterfly Garden at Tudek Park in State College, PA. The idea for this garden came from a Bellefonte High School Freshman in 2016. Planted in May 2017, this garden provides habitat for pollinators such as bees and butterflies. More information on the Pollinator Garden can be found here

George Grey Barnard Sculpture Garden
It may seem hard to believe, but this quiet garden was once a gas station. Gulf Oil Corp. donated land for the Sculpture Garden in 1978. The Garden now houses a bust of Abraham Lincoln sculpted by the Garden’s namesake. A recent addition includes the remnants of an 1893 decorative fountain that graced the Centre County Courthouse lawn.

Seasonal Events
Many public events are held in Talleyrand Park throughout the year. The Big Spring Festival and Taste of Bellefonte is held in May, while the Fall Festival is held in October. The annual Croquet Tournament is held on the first Sunday in June. Local and national artists gather for The Bellefonte Arts & Crafts Fair in August. Summer Sounds from the Gazebo run from June to August on Sundays and bring folk, pop, rock, and jazz to the park.

Recreation
Talleyrand has many areas that lend themselves to outdoor recreation and activities. The large open park annex includes space for lawn games, like bocce or croquet, or games of catch. The paved loop is popular destination for walking and running. The loop measures 1 mile for 4 laps and the loop can be expanded to include the Waterfront to Lamb Street. Talleyrand Park also features a busy playground adjacent to the restrooms near the Train Station.

History: Coming

Bathrooms:
Bathrooms at Talleyrand Park open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 9:00 p.m. during the spring, summer. and fall months. seasonal. They are not open in the winter months.