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Playground Guide: Riverfront State Park in Lawrence

By Lindsey Stelzig, Contributing Writer May 25, 2022

Riverfront State Park
Rowe St.
Lawrence, MA 01843

https://www.cityoflawrence.com/facilities/facility/details/Riverfront-State-Park-25


Date/Time Visited: Wednesday, May 18, 2022  @ 10 am

Bathrooms: none

Parking: Parking lot and Street Parking

Shade: Yes, pavilion and tree shade

Benches/Tables: Yes

Additional Features: Open field, tennis court, basketball court, soccer/hockey rink, trails through woods and along Merrimack River

Riverfront Park is our favorite park. It is situated right next to the Merrimack River and it is a great place for the whole family. There is a parking lot over by the sports courts with over 20 parking spots. You can park over there and walk along the paved path that encircles the open field. Lots of kids bring their bikes and ride the big circle around the field, and I also see adults driving remote control cars and drones around the field.

There are additional paved paths going up through the woods and along the river. We enjoy walking down to the Great Lawrence Boat House at the end of the paths, where there are several picnic tables.

The playground is fenced in with entrances on two sides. One entrance is through a gazebo that is great for shade and has two benches. The ground of the playground is mulch, and the ground around the inside of the fence is paved. We’ve used this pavement part for scootering, rollerblading, drawing with chalk, etc.

There are five more benches along the fence surrounding the playground. The playground has a larger structure for older kids that also has handicap access. There are four different slides on the larger playground. The top of the larger playground can be reached via ladder, stairs, climbing wall, or another climbing structure.

There is another rope climbing structure next to the larger playground. The top is probably a good 20 feet high but would be very difficult for a child that is too small to handle it to get that high. My 7 year old climbs it pretty easily but it is too challenging for my 4 year old.

The smaller playground structure has stairs and a ladder, a double slide, a single slide, and some other fun parts underneath.

There are a few more small parts of the playground scattered throughout. The purple  merry go round is a favorite of ours.

Lastly, there are 2 baby swings, 2 regular swings, and a handicap accessible swing.

Across the open field, there is a tennis court, a basketball court, and a court that is used for hockey or soccer, with benches and picnic tables around them. This area has great shade and would be great for picnics.

There is a boat launch that you can walk down to from the sports area as well as from the playground. The parking lot down by it is closed off to unofficial vehicles so it is another great spot for bikes and remote control cars, as well as a good place to fish and check out the ducks, geese, and occasionally a swan!

This a great park for the whole family, with great shade, seating and space!


Lindsey Stelzig is a homeschooling mom of four in Lawrence. She loves reading, hiking, and playing board games with her family.



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