Riverside Park
Riverside Park Road, Hartford
Home of The Greater Hartford Jaycees Community Boathouse
Just north of downtown, Riverside Park is a century-old restored Hartford park with something for everyone: boat launch, docking, volleyball, picnicking and playgrounds, plus our challenge course, mountain bike and nature trails, fishing, and athletic fields.
This park is also home to the Greater Hartford Jaycees Community Boathouse, the Victorian special events facility that supports our community rowing program and offers space for private parties.
Come see the sculpture and artwork, or plan a day of fun - whatever your pleasure, you’re sure to find it at Riverside Park.
NOW OPEN! 4 MILES OF ENHANCED JOGGING, HIKING, AND MOUNTAIN BIKING TRAILS
Bring your mountain bike – or come in your favorite running or walking shoes to explore the new and improved trails.
More than 319 volunteers donated 1914 hours of labor – clearing limbs, moving and raking mulch, painting signs, and removing trash that was left behind by four floods last spring. Volunteers came from MetLife, University of Hartford Track Club, Grace Academy, ING, Deloitte, and the Hartford Community Court. The volunteers worked with Metropolitan District Commission crews and Riverfront Recapture staff to make the trail improvements.
REI, the national outdoor retail co-op with a store in West Hartford, provided the funding for the project, which includes signs and trail markers for three different trails. The blue, purple, and yellow signs add a visual way-finding system to the trails.
PARK AMENITIES
| Riverside Park offers: | |
| Boat Launch | Football field |
| Private event facilities | Cricket field |
| Free onsite parking | Mountain bike / nature trails |
| Children’s playground | Adventure challenge course |
| Picnic tables | Paved & lighted walkways |
| Charcoal grills | Drinking fountain |
| Volleyball | Fishing access |
| Rowing facility | Public bathroom / port-o-lets |
| Sculptures / public art | |
To see our boat docking policy, click here.
WALKS & TRAILS
RIVERWALK NORTH - Riverside Park to Mortensen Riverfront Plaza, Hartford
1.6 mile loop. Approximate walking time: 30 minutes
Starting at the Greater Hartford Jaycees Community Boathouse, walk south past the boatramp towards the historic stone arched Bulkeley Bridge. Pass under the Bulkeley Bridge and through Riverwalk Downtown and then climb the terrace stairs to Mortensen Riverfront Plaza. To return to the Riverside Park, simply reverse the directions. The walkway is paved and lighted its entire length.
The Mountain Bike Trail at Riverside Park, Hartford
Riverside Park is the home to over 8 miles of single and double track mountain bike trails. There are two trailheads directly north of the Greater Hartford Jaycees Boathouse along the river’s edge. Designed and built by inner-city youths, the trails have been used by several regional and national mountain bike sporting events brought to Riverside Park. The trails are available to the general public seven days a week from dawn to dusk.
PARK RULES & REGULATIONS - For park rules and regulations, click here. PARK RULES & REGULATIONS - Please note: Due to liability and legal restrictions, NO OUTSIDE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES of any kind may be brought into the Riverfront Parks by any party. Riverfront Recapture is the only licensed authority to sell and serve liquor for consumption in the Riverfront Parks.
Private Events in the Riverfront Parks
Celebrate your special occasion amidst the beauty and serenity of our natural park settings. We can host wedding ceremonies, private parties, picnics, reunions, church functions and other group events almost anywhere in our Parks*. To reserve space for your event in our parks, call 860.713.3131 x 323. * Please note: Availability may be limited for wedding ceremonies in Riverside Park. Restrictions may apply.
To get up-to-date information of Riverfront happenings, don’t forget to sign up for our e-newsletter on our homepage!
