Absolutely love this park. The trails are clean & wellkept…read more I usually walk my dog here & you can see a bunch of wildlife!

Wildwood Park is a gem tucked just outside the city--and visiting during their Art in the Wild…read moreexhibit makes it even more magical. I went in August 2025, right as 19 different outdoor art installations were scattered along the three-mile loop trail. Each piece was beautifully creative and thought-provoking, and I loved how so many of them used natural materials gathered right from the park itself. It made exploring feel like a treasure hunt--you never knew what unique creation would be waiting around the next bend. The park itself is gorgeous and so well-kept. Trash cans were strategically placed and clearly emptied often, so everything looked clean and inviting. Bathrooms? About as good as you could hope for in a community park--clean enough that I didn't even consider detouring for a gas station stop on the way home (and that's saying something). Even on a busy Labor Day weekend, parking was easy. With four different lots, I never felt stressed about finding a spot. I also noticed a pavilion by the Nature Center--there was a baby shower happening while I was there, which seems like the perfect use of the space. Speaking of the Nature Center: it's bigger than you'd expect and doubles as a gift shop and interactive learning spot. There are activities for kids, friendly staff, and my personal favorite--a birdwatching corner with huge windows and binoculars set up so you can spy on the feeders outside. Honestly, I could've sat there all day. The trails are paved, easy, and family-friendly. I saw strollers rolling, little ones running ahead, and older folks carefully strolling with canes. It's accessible, peaceful, and filled with the simple beauty of wetlands, wildlife, and woodlands. Wildwood Park is free, beautiful, and absolutely worth the trip. Pack a picnic, bring your walking shoes, and give yourself time to wander, wonder, and maybe even spot some art in the wild.

Nice park with some benches along the way. There's a path you can walk alongside the river. Haven't…read moregotten to explore it yet but the bridge in the background connects Harrisburg downtown to City Island.

10/10 would recommend getting engaged here. Quiet, quaint. People don't judge you if you're sobbing.read more

Great little park. They have a playground, covered picnic tables, basketball court, walking trail…read moreand baseball fields. Ample parking, just off of Derry Street. Amazing place to just pull up a chair and read on your lunch break!

Great little park off of Derry with 2 baseball fields, a basketball court and a grassy area…read moredesignated to walk your dog.

City Island is a wonderful family fun place for a Senator's Game, a ride on the Susquehanna…read moreRiverboat, miniature golf, picnic tables, a pavilion to rent, a miniature train ride, and, of course, walking, running, or biking. Today, during my walk, I noticed that The Spot Restaurant, which specializes in hot dogs (and closed its Second Street location in Harrisburg in 2007), operates a Senator's concession stand.

It had been years since I last walked around City Island, but I have vivid memories of what it used…read moreto feel like -- beautiful, lively, full of people walking, biking, walking their dogs, and enjoying a well-maintained playground and open spaces. Returning recently felt less like revisiting an old favorite and more like realizing how much something you care about has changed... and not for the better. The disappointment started as soon as I pulled into the parking lot. Deep potholes, chunks of scraped-up blacktop piled near the stairs, and metal crowd-control barriers scattered throughout the lot gave an immediate sense that things weren't quite right. I fully understand that it's winter in Central PA -- snow, salt, and weather take their toll -- so I wasn't expecting perfection. But this felt like more than seasonal wear and tear. It felt like neglect. Aside from the stadium -- which stands tall, clean, and well-maintained even in the middle of winter -- much of the rest of the island looks forgotten. And this isn't just a "winter off-season" issue. The more I walked, the more signs of long-term neglect became clear: peeling paint, rusting structures, broken or deteriorating features that appear to have been left untouched for years. What started as mild disappointment turned into genuine sadness as I compared what I was seeing to photos I have from visits many years ago, when the island felt welcoming, cared for, and full of pride. As a Central PA native, it's difficult to see such a beautiful and potentially vibrant space in this condition -- especially one that represents our state's capital to visitors. City Island should be a showcase destination, and right now it feels like a missed opportunity. There seem to be so many possibilities for community involvement -- volunteer projects, partnerships with local organizations, youth programs -- to help restore and maintain the island. For whatever reason, it doesn't appear that those efforts are happening, and that's disappointing. The views of the river and the city skyline remain beautiful, as always -- as long as you keep your focus outward rather than on the island itself. I truly hope to see City Island revived and restored to the welcoming, vibrant place I remember.

Afternoon vibes during my walk at Italian Lake: not many strollers, walkers, or dog walkers, but…read morethe birds and turtles are enjoying their home. I saw two turtles sunbathing and the birds getting some shade under a Tulip Poplar tree. It looks like they know how to take advantage of the peaceful park.

4/30/26 Beautiful views all around--gorgeous lake w/fountain sculpture on 1 side & spray fountains…read moreon the other. Azaleas & flowering princess trees in bloom. Docile Canada Geese feeding lakeside. Picturesque neighborhood of lake-facing homes 1 street over w/many English style cottages w/stone or brick facades & shaker shingle roofs. Covered concert stage & uncovered bench seating is ready for summer concert season. Center bridge could use new paint on rails. Picnic tables would be nice addition, but then it might require more maintenance to keep area trash-free. Street parking is available on either side of lake.

Ever since we found out my trunk bike carrier works on our SUV late this summer, we've fervently…read moreexplored biking trails around the Harrisburg area before the season's over.  One of the first things that came to mind would of course be the Capital Area Greenbelt.  It's a 23 mile route interconnecting paved paths, crushed-stone trails, and public roads.  We've only explored 3 different segments of the Greenbelt.   The first is City Island and Riverfront Park. Start by looping around the small island which is less than a mile but think of it as a warm up. You also get to see some touristy highlights such as the Pride of the Susquehanna Riverboat, Water Golf, and City Island Railroad.  Then cross the picturesque Walnut Street Bridge, turn left on to my favorite segment so far, the Riverfront Park. This paved segment runs for 3 miles alongside the Susquehanna River all the way to Vaughn St. You also have an option to take the path directly along the river or the path along the green/street.  Along the way you get to see many sculptures and historic landmarks. Some highlights include State Street, Governor's Mansion, Peace Garden, and Sunken Garden. And if you're open to excursions, take detours and check out the Capitol Complex and Italian Lake. The second segment we've been frequenting without realizing it's part of the Greenbelt - Wildwood Park. I've had a 5-star review on it. It's one of  my favorite parks in the Harrisburg area.  I've read that there's a new 1.5 mile segment connecting from Wildwood Park to Fort Hunter.  I can't wait to check that out! The third segment we just tried today, the Andrea Ave Spur.  It's not part of the main loop but still part of the Greenbelt. I guess you can think of it as an extension, much like the Fort Hunter segment.  This one starts out on a crushed-stone path but soon turns into a fully paved trail. It's only 2.3 miles to the main loop near the Farm Show complex, but it's hilly and punishing at times. This is a different experience than, say, a rail trail which is more secluded and allows you to be soaked with nature.  Here you do not completely leave civilization. Another negative aspect is that many sections insolve public roads.  I'm not sure I should venture the southeast portion of the Greenbelt, based on the map...

1. Route / Trail closed at the Riverfront Office Center (ROC) May 2024 for extended future…read more 2. Area from 581 bridge to ROC is lined with a huge homeless encampment. 3. Paved portion in Susquehanna Township along River has numerous potholes and speed bumps from tree roots. Pavement in terrible condition 4. Path along River is too narrow for walkers and bikers to safely share. 5. Not a continuous trail. There are gaps near the Civil War museum the trail uses city streets.