Merino Park

From Brownfield to Beautiful

Found in Providence's Hartford neighborhood, Merino Park spans 18.6 acres along the Woonasquatucket River, tucked between Hartford Avenue and Route 6. This green space has quite the backstory - it's been everything from a sheep farm to a skating pond, and even spent time as a landfill and road salt storage area. By the 1990s, contamination issues led to the area being condemned as a brownfield. But don't worry - this story has a happy ending! Early 2000s cleanup efforts transformed the space into the vibrant public park we can enjoy today.

What You'll Find

Merino Park offers a nice green space in this urban setting, where locals come to play and unwind. If you're into sports, you'll appreciate the full-sized basketball court and the sprawling field that's well-suited for impromptu soccer matches, football games, or whatever team sport strikes your fancy.

The park connects to the broader Woonasquatucket River Greenway, making it part of Providence's urban trail network. Feel like getting some steps in? A paved path circles the entire park - ideal for your morning jog, leisurely walk, or bike ride.

Kids have their own space too, with a playground area featuring swings, slides, and spring ride-on toys. An added bonus: the surrounding trees provide natural shade over much of the playground during morning hours, keeping the little ones cool during playtime.

Get Active

On any given weekend, you'll likely spot impromptu soccer games happening on the spacious field. The basketball court is another hotspot, where pick-up games bring together players of all skill levels.

Cross the river and you'll discover a skate park with a mini ramp - though heads up, some parts of the ramp might need a little TLC. And with all that open space, Merino Park is also a fantastic spot for flying kites or just running around freely.

Community Vibes

For Hartford neighbors, this park is a popular gathering spot. Summer weekends often bring food trucks to the area, adding to the park's appeal.

Many parents appreciate the family-friendly environment, where kids can play safely away from traffic. You'll find several benches scattered throughout when you need a moment to sit and relax, but note that there aren't any picnic tables or permanent restrooms available.

What's New

The park keeps getting better with age. In 2021, the Providence Parks Department oversaw improvements including a basketball court resurfacing and new equipment installation.

Spring 2023 brought more updates, with fresh benches and playground equipment. The Parks Department maintains the grounds - the grass is regularly mowed and the area is generally clean.

Security cameras across the park help keep everyone safe, and you'll discover waste bins conveniently placed around the grounds - making it easy to do your part in keeping Merino Park beautiful.