FunKidsActivities

Riverside Park

753 Park St, Jacksonville, FL 32204, USA

Overview

Category:Best Outdoor Playgrounds
Location:Jacksonville, FL

Expert Summary

Detailed Insights

Riverside Park is a multi-faceted urban outdoor destination offering a unique blend of active play, wildlife interaction, and relaxation for families and their pets. Its distinct value comes from providing two separate play areas for different age groups, two dedicated dog parks, and a serene duck pond, all within a clean, scenic, and well-shaded environment, making it a comprehensive and cost-effective family outing.

Key Highlights

  • Two dedicated dog parks allow families to bring their furry companions and enable safe interaction with children.
  • Two distinct play areas feature a variety of equipment suitable for different age groups, ensuring engaging fun for younger and older kids.
  • A picturesque duck pond with a fountain offers opportunities for feeding ducks and teaching children about local wildlife (birds, turtles).
  • Abundant tree cover and numerous park benches provide comfortable, shaded spots for relaxation and escape from the sun.
  • A basketball court is available, adding an extra layer of excitement for older children and adults to join in games.
  • Spacious open fields are perfect for picnics, impromptu games like tag, and general free play.
  • The park offers a calm, peaceful, and scenic atmosphere, particularly noted when visited just before dark, and is perceived as clean.

Standout Features

  • Two dedicated dog parks.
  • Two separate playground sets with swings.
  • Duck pond with a fountain.
  • Basketball court.
  • Large open field.
  • Extensive tree cover and numerous park benches.
  • Plenty of sidewalk trails for walking near the river.

Perfect For

Toddlers & Young Children (1-6 years): Two play areas with age-appropriate equipment and the duck pond for wildlife observation and feeding.
Older Children (7-12+ years): The basketball court for games, large open fields for active play (tag, sports), and walking trails.
All Ages (including pets): Walking trails, duck pond, open fields for picnics, and the overall relaxing environment. Two dog parks for furry family members.

Ideal For

Families with children of varied ages (e.g., a toddler and an older child).
Families who want to include their dogs in an outing.
Picnics and relaxed outdoor meals.
Nature walks and wildlife observation (birds, turtles, ducks).
Active play including basketball, tag, and running in open fields.
Seeking a shaded, relaxing retreat on a sunny day.

💡Pro Tips from Reviews

  • **Plan ahead for restroom needs** as there are no facilities on-site.
  • **Be prepared for unpaved parking**; look for the designated area where many cars are parked. Arriving earlier might help secure a spot.
  • **Consider bringing food for the ducks** to enhance the wildlife interaction experience.
  • **Pack a picnic lunch or snacks** to enjoy on the open field or by the duck pond, as outside food is welcomed.
  • **Visit just before dark** for a particularly calm and peaceful atmosphere.
  • **Bring a basketball** if older kids or adults wish to utilize the court for shooting around or a game.

Things to Consider

  • There are no restrooms available on-site, which can be a significant drawback for families with young children.
  • Parking can be unclear, primarily consisting of an unpaved lot, and finding a spot can be difficult at times.

Price & Value

Assumed to be a free public park, offering exceptional value for families. It provides a wide range of free amenities that cater to various age groups and allows pets, making it a highly cost-effective option for family entertainment. No hidden costs were mentioned.

Accessibility & Special Needs

  • Seating is scattered across the park along walking trails.
  • Features many sidewalk trails. No specific accommodations for wheelchairs, sensory needs, or other special needs are explicitly mentioned in the reviews.

🍎Food & Drink Policy

  • Outside food and picnics are implicitly allowed and encouraged, with open fields and benches ideal for dining. No restrictions or on-site food sales were mentioned.

🚗Parking Info

  • Described as an unpaved lot with many cars, where parking can be unclear and hard to find at times. It is not explicitly stated whether it's free or paid.

👥Crowd Levels

  • Located in a "busy urban area," but the park itself was described as "calm and peaceful" when visited just before dark. Parking difficulty might suggest it can get busy during peak hours.

🛡️Safety Features

  • A plastic barrier has been installed near the river, replacing a concrete wall, which suggests an improvement in safety along the waterfront.
  • The two dog parks are described as a "safe and spacious environment" for children to interact with dogs.

When to Avoid

  • Families requiring immediate or easily accessible restrooms.
  • Those who prefer guaranteed paved, clearly marked, or abundant parking.
  • If you're looking for highly structured activities or indoor entertainment (it's a natural park setting).

Pricing/Package/Events

🛡️Safety Policy

  • Security Lighting

🚗Parking Information

  • Car Parking: 18 spaces
Information extracted from official website • Last updated: Sep 29, 2025

What People Say

What's Great

  • Spacious play areas (mentioned in 6 reviews)

Areas for Improvement

  • Parking can be challenging (mentioned in 5 reviews)

Recent Reviews

S D

S D

4 months ago

Such a relaxing park. Got surprised by birds and turtles! One even did a trick while I walked by it lol into the water. I like that it has a dog park and a basketball court. Basketball court is in okay shape but it’s not bad for shooting around. Wonder if there are runs here 🤔. Parking is also a bit unclear but y there’s an area with many cars in an unpaved lot.

Emir Flores

Emir Flores

a year ago

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 🌳🌞 Historic Riverside Kids Park is an absolute ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ gem! 🌳🌞 As a adventuring dad, finding the perfect place to spend quality time with my kid is always a top priority, and Historic Riverside Kids Park has truly become our go-to destination. This park is nothing short of a hidden gem, offering an array of amenities that cater to every member of the family, even our four-legged friends. 🐕👨‍👧‍👦 The two dog parks are a game-changer 🎾🐶, allowing us to bring our furry companion along for the adventure. It's heartwarming to see our kids interact with our dog in a safe and spacious environment. For the little ones, the two play areas are a dream come true 🤸‍♂️🤸‍♀️. They offer a variety of equipment suitable for different age groups, ensuring hours of fun and adventure. The duck pond is a serene spot where we enjoy feeding the ducks 🦆 and teaching our kids about wildlife 🌿🦉. Adjacent to the dog parks, the basketball court 🏀 adds an extra layer of excitement for older kids. We often join in for a game, creating lasting memories. The open field is perfect for picnics 🍔🥪 and impromptu games of tag, while the abundant tree cover 🌳🌲 and park benches provide a comfortable retreat from the sun ☀️. Historic Riverside Kids Park is a haven for families, offering a complete package of entertainment and relaxation. I can't express enough how grateful I am to have this park in our neighborhood. It's a five-star haven that fosters family bonding and outdoor adventures like no other. 🌟👨‍👩‍👧‍👦🐕

Noel Lovell

Noel Lovell

11 months ago

Riverside Park is in a busy urban area, nestled in a shady spanse of land. There are two playground sets and swings. Seating is scattered across the park along the walking trails. Their duck pond with a fountain is a favorite place to have lunch. Finally, tucked into the back corner is a nice dog park. A few downers, such as no restrooms and parking can be hard to find at times.

Hilmer Cubillos

Hilmer Cubillos

a month ago

A normal place to walk near to the river. The concrete wall is not there anymore and they install a plastic barrier.

chud327

chud327

11 months ago

I went just before dark, it was very calm and peaceful. Lots of sidewalk trails, grass areas and pretty pond with ducks to look at. Looked clean and scenic.

Contact Information

753 Park St, Jacksonville, FL 32204, USA

View on Google Maps

Opening Hours

Monday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Thursday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Friday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Quick Stats

Overall Rating
4.5
Total Reviews1862
Recent Reviews5