Independence Park

A small waterfront park in Bristol. They have a large grassy area for picnics or bring the kids to run and the puppies to hang out. Collect shells, skip rocks, look at the boats coming and going, and just chill! This is why I love being home!

Wouldn’t consider this so much a park; more along the lines of a grassed town square.
Regardless of whether it’s a park or not; Indepedence Park is a great spot to catch a concert or public event, enjoy the scenery of Bristol Harbor or jump on the East Bay Bike Path and take a cruise. Personally, I love coming here with my puppy and just running around the main lawn, walking along the boardwalk and rocks and going down by the small beach. My puppy and I always have a great time and even stopped by Quito’s recently for a quick lunch which we ate on one of the benches. In the years I’ve been coming to Bristol, I’ve seen countless events here and if I’m not mistaken, the famous 4^th of July parade is centered around the park. Really hard to have a bad time while spending time here.
I’ll continue to frequent Independence Park and really make a point this year of making it to a concert once the weather warms up!

This is a gorgeous venue for the free music events in the area. We had to park a couple of blocks away and walk down to the park. It was such a lovely evening. There was a bit of traffic getting out, but so worth the wait.

Beautiful park on the water in downtown Bristol.
I frequently end my bike rides here before returning the 16 plus miles back to Providence. I like to have a snack on one of the benches facing the water, watching the boats pass by and enjoying the salty, warm breeze off the bay. There is a nice lawn in order to picnic on and plenty of bike racks to hook up your two wheeled transportation. I recommend grabbing an iced coffee and lunch from the Bee Hive café across the street, laying out a blanket and enjoy a summer time picnic with your family or sweetheart.

The
beginning
and the
end
Independence Park is a small park located at the southern end of the East Bay Bike Path. Some people call this the start of the 14.5 mile bike path others refer to it as the end. I guess it all depends on your point of view.
If you do start from the northern end up in Providence, Independence Park is a great place to stop for a rest before heading back north. It’s not a huge park but it has some nice benches with great views of Bristol Harbor, a little boardwalk, a couple of monuments and even an old cannon. Usually clean bathrooms and a drinking fountain are across the street and several ice cream places and restaurants are close by. Definitely a nice place to inhale some ice cream and rest before biking back the last 14 miles.
A friendly woman walking around in the park told me that this was once a railroad yard. I’m not sure if that is true but it wouldn’t surprise me since the old tracks did start (or end) here. The tracks are long since gone and the old rail line now serve as the bike path.
Even thought he park isn’t large it has a lot going on in it. Arts and crafts shows and the summer concert series take place here in the summer and on the 4^th of July the famous Bristol celebration is centered in the park.
The town of Bristol has the oldest 4^th of July celebration in the country, first started way back in 1785, the parade and festivities have been going on ever since. Quite an event, it seems to get larger every year.
Even though this is a rather small park it serves many functions. Great views, history, parades, music, ice cream, bathrooms, drinking fountains and arts and crafts. A great place to start, end, or take a rest during a cool bike ride.