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It’s no secret that one of the things that makes Hartford great is the city’s combination of urban living and beautiful parks. Whether you are aching to surround yourself with greenery or are searching for places to bike on scenic paths, Hartford’s parks all come with a sense of serenity just for you! Consider this your complete guide to enjoying nature in Hartford.
1192 Maple Ave, South West
This 237-acre park is the perfect place to have a picnic (especially by the gorgeous pond) or to take a stroll with the family. Goodwin Park is filled with things to do— you can take a swim in the pool, splash in the spray pad, host a pick-up game on the softball diamond, shoot hoops on the basketball courts, play a match on the tennis courts, and take your kids to play on the playscape. What makes this park unique is the 27-hole golf course and restaurant, The Hangar at Goodwin Park, where you can enjoy stunning views of the park both inside the restaurant and out on their patio. On top of all that, you can join a Zumba class every Thursday at 6:00 pm.
337 Vine Street, North End of Hartford
Hartford is home to one of the largest public parks in New England, Keney Park. Spanning 693.6 acres, this park is full of trees, greenery, and trails that will make you feel one with nature. You can play basketball, baseball, cricket, and tennis and fish in their beautiful pond. So be sure to not only bring your golf clubs to Goodwin Park but to Keney Park as well! Keney Park has an impressive18-hole course, and the views of the park are incredible. An excellent program the park has is the Keney Park Sustainability Project. This project provides hands-on training and demonstrations to become a more sustainable individual. Keney Park is also home to Ebony Horsewomen. This unique urban riding center is located within the park; this therapeutic riding has helped many within the community, from children to military veterans.
1561 Asylum Avenue, West End
Elizabeth Park is home to beautiful rose gardens, picnic areas, and multiple trails perfect for walking and taking in the park’s beautiful scenery. Elizabeth Park’s trails will take you around the pond, through the rose gardens, and even to the sunset lookout, where you can see the Hartford city skyline. On Wednesday nights during the summer, the park hosts live music at the bandshell, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays, bring your yoga mat for free classes by the rose gardens. The West End Civic Association also hosts regular outdoor movies on the park's east side. Visit their Facebook page to learn more!
99 Trinity Street, Downtown Hartford
If you just got out of work and want to take a stroll or an evening bike ride, Bushnell Park park is located in the heart of the city and has excellent paved routes perfect for either! Bushnell Park is the oldest publicly funded park in the United States and is home to many of the city’s most notable events. During the summer, you’ll hear jazz, see kids and families enjoying outdoor movies, and watch Hartford’s diverse cultural organizations celebrate their heritage, all while surrounded by some of the oldest and most beautiful trees in the state. During the winter, residents and visitors flock to Winterfest's outdoor ice skating rink at the Bushnell Park Pump House.
20 Leibert Road, North Meadows
Open from sunrise to sunset; Riverside Park is the perfect place to be active. Consider Riverfront Recapture’s Community Walking Tour. The tour covers a 5-mile loop starting at the boat house and takes you through all four of Riverfront’s park systems. Visit their events page to find out when the next one takes place!
Get outside, spend time with nature, and take in some fresh air!