Rockwell Park

Let’s start by saying I want to absolutely love Rockwell Park. I actually walk through it on my lunch break 5 days a week to stay healthy. The town put some serious money into making it what it is and to that, I give credit. Love the pond with the walkway, nice wildlife and it does have something enjoyable for everyone overall. Now onto why this seemingly lovely park has been given not so stellar marks. Let’s just call it an A for effort — epic failure on implementation per say.
Floating in that lovely wildlife «sanctuary» is trash — soda cans, plastic bags, ice cream wrappers and so on.
Sleeping next to what should be a awesome fishing hole are typically a few homeless men.
As you walk on the nice trails they created, you have to walk through groups of teenagers smoking pot at certain spots.
Ample free parking — but beware, my friends car was just broken into in broad daylight about a week ago and had everything stolen (wallet, stereo etc.)
I’ve never seen police walking in the park, but I’ve seen my fair share of drug deals go down.
Graffiti on the tree trunks is pretty depressing.
I could go on, but you get the gist. The town tried to do a good thing, but it seems the residents of the «West End» have «better» plans for the lovely park than a wholesome family day out. I may walk through it 5 days a week, but I would never bring my 2 kids there and that’s sad since I grew up at that park.

Don’t step on the heroin syringes or meth pipes. This park is ghetto everywhere except the little kid area.

Great place for the whole family. Par fitness course has several options, depending on your state of fitness. Playscape is safe and well maintained. A compliment to the recently renovated Mussy Field ballpark and a real showplace in an otherwise undesirable section of town.

Huge, beautiful park. Me likes a lot! They have a huge sprinkler system and playscape that seems pretty interactive. The walking/​running trail is pretty nice. Lots of shade, lots of beautiful nature scenery. It’s a well made park.

This is a wonderful park. It is large and open and there are plenty of options for toddlers, teens and adults.
We first came upon this place looking for a splashpad. This is a great place for kids to cool off, without swimming in a pool. The water comes in various pressures, locations and patterns to keep it fun and interesting. And it is seemingly very clean. It is worth the trip on a hot summer afternoon, the water stops at either 5 or 6, so don’t go too late!
There is also a very large playscape. It is newer and clean and has everything the little ones like. From rocks to climb on to tall and fast slides. My 2 year old does everything here without fear, which is scary but awesome at the same time. After the water at the pad turns off, head over and run around to dry off.
There is a covered area with maybe a dozen picnic tables, so an afternoon picnic here is totally doable. There is also a full size pool, but I don’t know the details on membership etc.
Venture just past the play-​scape and you’ve got a little concrete skate/​bike park. It is always being used and I think its great the kids are outside.
Keep going and you’ll find some walking trails around the pond and a place to rent a kayak or something to go out for a small water adventure.
There is also a really nice amphitheater with things scheduled but I haven’t found a place online that has it.
This really is an all afternoon/​evening destination and a great place to meet others for a birthday party or something.

Not a bad place to skate

Great park for all ages. Clean and well maintained. Lot’s of play equipment for the kids.

Rockwell Park is a large public space on the west side of Bristol with a lot to do outside, such as a skate park, jogging and exercise trail, soccer fields and a playground.
It’s near Muzzy Field (baseball) and has plenty of parking. It also has a few ponds and (much like Robert Redford’s 1992 classic) a river runs through it.
It’s a convenient place to get outside and is well worth a visit any time of year.