Winter Stroll in Riverside Park, Hartford

[David Ostafin]

Join us for a flat, paved-surface walk starting in Riverside Park in Hartford on January 18, 2025, our first event in the new year.  The walk will begin at the northern end of Hartford's Riverside Park, located at 20 Leibert Road, Hartford, CT on Saturday, January 18, 2025.  Meet at the parking lot adjacent to the Boathouse at 10:30 a.m. for a prompt departure at 11:00 a.m.  The walk will be led by Roberto Tollis.

ABOUT THE HIKE:  On June 22, 2024 we met at this park and hiked the trail loop starting northward along the Connecticut River.  For this winter hike, we will walk in the opposite direction, south toward downtown Hartford, along a paved walkway.  This walk is called the Lincoln Financial Sculpture River Walk.  The paved, 8-to-10 foot wide path runs along the west side of Connecticut River, and takes you beneath the Bulkeley Bridge (dedicated in 1908 to Senator and four-time Hartford major Morgan Bulkeley) and beneath the Founders Bridge (dedicated in 1955 to the men and women who "founded" Hartford in 1636 with their leader Rev. Thomas Hooker), and up to the Charter Oak Bridge (named for the oak tree where Connecticut colonists hid the royal charter of King Charles II from minions of his successor James II in 1687).  The walk features spectacular views of the city skyline, Hartford's three major bridges and their reflections in the river, the Colt Dome, and public art displays, including sixteen sculptures depicting the life of Abraham Lincoln, our 16th president and the namesake of the Lincoln Financial Group.

The plan is to walk the pathway from Riverside Park toward downtown Hartford, and walk under the Bulkeley Bridge and then under the Founders Bridge, and up to the Charter Oak Bridge; then cross the Charter Oak Bridge to the East Hartford and walk back on the East Hartford side of the river to the Founders Bridge; then walk across the Founders Bridge to the Hartford side of the river, and return to Riverside Park.  It is expected that the total walking time will be a little over two hours in duration. Although the walk is flat and on a paved-surface, the total distance to be traversed on foot will be over five miles (in the event of bitter cold or otherwise inclement weather, we will reduce both the walking time and the total distance).  The walk is generally considered to be non-strenuous, because it is flat and on a paved surface, but the distance to be walked is significan (more than five miles).  As always, dress appropriately (in this case, dress warmly for the winter season), bring ample water for the walk, and read our Disclaimer.  Dogs on leash are welcome.

HISTORY OF THE LINCOLN FINANCIAL SCULPTURE RIVER WALK:  The park itself dates back to 1899.  Substantial changes were made in the mid 20th century due to the filling in of the wetlands and the construction of the highways and bridges.  The Lincoln Financial Sculpture River Walk is a newer park feature.  It began with a $500,000 grant in 2005 by the Lincoln Financial Group.  The walk features sixteen art sculptures depicting different aspects of Lincoln's life.  Artists from all over the country submitted ideas for sculptures, and the Riverside Recapture Inc. selected 16 (as Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president).  The last was installed in 2011.

DIRECTIONS:  To locate Riverside Park in Hartford, use the following GPS address:  "20 Leibert Road, Hartford, CT."  Once you turn left into Riverside Park, look for the parking area next to the Boathouse.  We will meet in that parking lot and begin the walk from there.

From Points North:  Take I-91 South.  then take the Jennings Road Exit (Exit 33).  Turn left onto Jennings Road, then take the next right onto Leibert Road, and then left into Riverside Park.

From Points South:  Take I-91 North.  Take the Jennings Road Exit (Exit 33).  turn right onto Jennings Road, then take the next right onto Leibert Road, and then left into Riverside Park.

From Points East and West:  Take I-84 to Exit 57, merging into I-91 North.  Then follow directions above for Points North.

AFTER HIKE SOCIAL:  The optional after-hike social will be at the nearby Salute Restaurant, located at 100 Trumbull Street, Hartford, CT.  Parking is available in the LAZ garage attached to the same building as the restaurant (the garage parking ticket is usually validated by the restaurant for a fee reduction).  To view the menu, go to the website of the restaurant:  https://salutehartford.com. 

David Ostafin and Giovani Querido