Waterman Park
About
Nestled along North Main Street in Albion, New York, Waterman Park is a charming green space that celebrates the town's unique connection to Christmas history. This small yet meaningful park is home to a bronze statue of Charles W. Howard, the local farmer who founded the world’s first Santa Claus School in 1937. Howard portrayed Santa in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for 17 years and became a national icon of holiday cheer.
Adding to the festive spirit, the park features a vibrant 24-foot-wide mural of Santa Claus soaring over downtown Albion, created by local artist Stacey Kirby Steward. Installed in 2018, the mural honors Howard’s legacy and was made possible through community support led by the Albion Rotary Club.
Waterman Park serves as a central gathering spot during Albion’s annual Hometown Holiday festivities, including the Charles W. Howard Hometown Parade. Its location—just a half-block south of the Erie Canal—makes it a scenic and symbolic place to reflect on the village’s rich heritage and enduring holiday spirit.