Riverside Park — Attraction in Vero Beach

Riverside Park is located on a barrier island in Vero Beach. You reach it by crossing over the Merril P. Barber Bridge. The park dates back to 1944 when Government Lot 2, a 115 acre parcel of land was purchased by the city of Vero Beach for $11,000 for use as a park. Today this park is one of the cultural crown Jewels of Vero Beach.

Inside the park is the The Riverside Theater, a 692 seat performance theater that hosts Broadway quality shows throughout the year. The theater also hosts Live in the Loop, free outdoor concerts most weekends.

In the middle of the park is the Vero Beach Art Museum. Opened in 1978 it hosts traveling art exhibits throughout the year as well as classes and educational events. It also has an outdoor sculpture garden.

It you find yourself hungry, go to the north end of the park under the Merril P. Barber Bridge where you will find a The Riverside Cafe. It is a casual restaurant serving seafood and burgers. In the evenings they often have live music. Also located in this area of the park is the Cole Coppola Memorial Fishing Pier where you can fish and possibly spot dolphins and manatees.

The park is also home to the Memorial Island Sanctuary, a beautiful and peaceful Veterans Memorial on an island that you reach by walking over a bridge. Other park amenities include walking and jogging paths, fitness trail, tennis courts, a playground, boat ramps, and picnic tables.

Some of the many festivals held throughout the year in the park include the Under the Oaks Fine Arts and Craft Festival, Gardenfest, the Annual Orchid Show, Vero Beach Boat Show, and the upcoming Fourth of July firewoman on the Indian a River.

There is so much to see and do here. You could visit several times and have a different experience each time. Whether is a concert, show, exercising, paying tribute to our national heroes, fishing, grabbing a bite to eat, or taking the kids to play, this park has something for everyone...

It is one of my favorite places to visit. I have seen others write about the concerts at Riverside Park. It is a huge area and includes theaters and an art museum; lots of venues for festivals; plenty of free parking. The list goes on and each needs their own review. This time, we will include the walking area, picnic and water areas. I have never seen the festival activities extend into walking trail areas (Just FYI.) At least 3 times a week.. I walk on this open, upbeat or tranquil trail. Whatever you make it! It is accompanied by the sound of tennis courts, a couple of picnic sites and serpentines by the inlet; the intracoastal waters edge and a playground. Surrounded by Oaks with Spanish Moss, Riverside Park's back side is cooler. Trail is soft dirt, sand and a few sea shells. That means no pounding when you walk. Plenty of parking, a clean rest area and joggers as well as slow paced walkers abide here. It is crowded at times but other times, you can have the whole place to your self. Enjoy! Turn RT off of bridge at 60, coming from mainland and traverse to the back. There is a Veterans memorial Park, right over the water. It adjoins close to trail, shares Parking area. Riverside Park is easy on the eyes and full of nature. Wheel chair accessible, I have never seen a compromised piece of nature like snakes or domestic raccoons. 😊 😱 BTW, did you know that alligators, crocodiles do not live in salty water areas? Isn't that nice to know? So! It's just a nice clean park! Let's keep it that way. Thanks! Katie PS. I took photo of pelican...

Riverside Park is a nice mixed use area. You can walk the bridge on a sidewalk protected by a concrete wall. There is a large field and pavilion area that when not being rented out for events or used as parking for any of the under the oak vendor events is often used by people with their dogs, practicing their golf swing, friends playing kick ball, flying kites, planes or drones. There is a walking trail, a volleyball area, a fishing dock, river access for boats, memorial island, the tennis courts and a playground for kids. There are several covered picnic tables and a large covered area that is available for rent for larger outdoor parties. Overall it's a lovely place to have in our community. Just like everywhere else, if it's nice outside, it's nice, and if it's hot and muggy, it's hot and muggy. Since it is near the river and how low it lays when it rains it can be rather wet and if it's rainy season there are a lot of mosquitoes but that's what you get for...