Parks in Hartford Offer Free Activity

Hartford parks provide a great opportunity to be active all year long. You won't need fancy equipment or a gym membership. Just grab a pair of comfy shoes and a water bottle and you can start walking on one of the many safe trails today.

The parks are fun for everyone! Parents and sports fans will enjoy all of the great playgrounds, pools, and ball parks.

Following are our 8 favorite Hartford parks for walking and playing for FREE in Hartford. Want a handy resource to take with you? Download our Hartford Parks Guide (PDF).

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Bushnell Park (Downtown)

See monuments, artwork, sculptures, and a 100-year-old carousel as you walk through Bushnell Park. For the kids, there is an awesome playground! This park also hosts many great events throughout the year to get you moving. In the winter, Winterfest Hartford offers free ice skating, skate rentals, and lessons. Beginning in May, there are free tours of The Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch, Historical Park Tours, and Lunchtime Tree Tours. Visit: BushnellPark.org for more information.

Address: 99 Trinity Street, Hartford, CT 06103
Parking: Metered parking available along the edges of the park Monday-Friday 8 AM - 6 PM. All other times parking is free, including weekends.

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Colt Park (Sheldon-Charter Oak)

Located in southeast Hartford, this park is a great place to take the kids! Take a walk around the track or play handball, racquetball, soccer, baseball, softball, or football on one of Colt Park’s many sports fields. Younger kids will enjoy exploring playscapes and swing sets. In the summer months, enjoy cooling off in the park’s outdoor swimming pools and splash pads.
              

Address: 106 Wethersfield Avenue, Hartford, CT 06114
Parking: Available on Morris Street

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Elizabeth Park (West Hartford)

Be sure to visit this park in the warmer months when flowers are in bloom. Take a walk through the park or play a game on the tennis courts, basketball courts, or ball fields. There’s also a playground for children to enjoy. Our favorite way to exercise at Elizabeth Park is Walk with a Future Doc! This walking group is a fun, free, and safe way to get active, learn about health, and meet new friends! Check out the Walk with a Doc, UConn School of Medicine Facebook page for upcoming walks.
               

Address: 1561 Asylum Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06117
Parking: Available for free throughout the park.

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Goodwin Park (South End)

Home to a fitness circuit, basketball court, playscape, tennis courts, walking trails, swimming pool and spray pad, Goodwin Park is a beautiful place to get active in Hartford!
               

Address: 1192 Maple Avenue, Hartford, CT 06114
Parking: Available at 128 Goodwin Park Road and 17 Ridge Road

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Hyland and Rocky Ridge Park (Frog Hollow/Behind the Rocks)

Feeling competitive? Grab some friends and get a game of basketball, soccer, baseball, or tee-ball going at one of Hyland and Rock Ridge Park’s many sports fields. Kids will love this park for the playscape and splash pad!
               

Address: 355 New Britain Avenue or 75 Zion Street, Hartford, CT 06106
Parking: Available at 359 New Britain Avenue

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Keney Park (North End)

There is so much to explore at Hartford’s Keney Park! Go for a walk at one of the many fitness and walking trails. You can also play cricket, tennis, baseball, softball, tee-ball, basketball, and disc golf here. Explore the park with this beautiful Keney Park Tour from our friends at the Keney Park Sustainability Project.

Address: 280 Tower Avenue Hartford, CT 06112 (additional entrances on Windsor Ave, Greenfield St, and Ridgefield St)
Parking: Available at 500 Vine St, 244 Greenfield St, and 112 Ridgefield St

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Pope Park (Frog Hollow)

Located in the Frog Hollow neighborhood of Harford, you can play basketball, baseball, softball, or soccer here! Kids will love the playscape and spray pool. Speaking of pools, Pope Park has indoor and outdoor pools so you can swim anytime of the year. Pope Park is also home to the Samuel V. Arroyo Recreation Center. The City of Hartford Recreation Division has info on pool hours and free classes like Zumba, Afro-Latino Dance, and Boot Camp Fitness.
               

Address and Parking: 30 Pope Park Drive, Hartford, CT 06106

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Riverside Park (Downtown/North Meadows)

Get out for a walk on Riverside Park’s paved walkways or 4.5 miles of unpaved riverfront trails! You will also find playgrounds, a cricket field, and volleyball court. Watch for free yoga classes and other fun activities on the Riverfront Recapture Facebook page! Learn more about Riverfront Recapture at Riverfront.org, where you will find other recreation opportunities including Charter Oak Landing.
               

Address: 20 Leibert Road, Hartford, CT 06120
Parking: Available at 57 Leibert Rd, plus lots of free, off-street parking within the park.

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Hartford Park Resources

• All parks can be reached via the Hartford City Bus system. For more info, visit CT Transit at CTTransit.com
• Follow what is happening in Hartford parks on their, View from the Parks Facebook page
  
• Find maps and more at Hartford.gov/parks
• For healthy activities around Hartford, visit the City of Hartford Recreation Division.

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See our Free Health Events in CT calendar for even more great ways to be active throughout CT!

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*Hartford map modified from HartfordInfo.org.