Kirby Park

Great park for running and hanging out. The park itself is very linear and grassy (perfect for studying, reading, picnics, etc.), with a fun, forested area to explore on the other side of the running/​bike path. Big fan!

You may find it surprising that Kirby Park’s Unilocal listing has sat dormant — even with the incorrect address — on this site for so long, but really it makes perfect sense. Kirby Park is one of the few places in Wilkes-​Barre worth cherishing, yet it is quickly overlooked and even taken for granted by locals.
Even though Kirby Park (given to Wilkes-​Barre by the Kirby family) is part of Wilkes-​Barre, it sits over the bridge in Kingston. It’s as if the park stiff-​armed the city a la Heisman and said, «not so fast … you can own us but we are too nice to actually be IN your city.» When you think about it, the list of nice or very nice properties in Wilkes-​Barre is a short one indeed, and don’t confuse the city with the Township, which is a whole other story entirely.
Back to the park: it’s basic. One little pond that is allergic to geese, a strange running/​walking trail that snakes along the (not so scenic) river, and a decent helping of tennis courts, playgrounds, softball fields, track, and a pavilion. This is where Kirby Park needs some love. That little Martz Pavilion plays host to some key annual festivals including the annual 4^th of July celebration. So no, Kirby Park is not among the top parks in the state, but those few times a year the locals gather as a community generally happen right here. And there’s value to that.