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Mississippi River Greenbelt Park
Located on island Drive across from the entrance to Harbor Town on Mud Island

This picturesque piece of land sits between the Mississippi River and Harbor Town on Mud Island. It is a magnet for rollerbladers, dog walkers, joggers and the occasional bicyclist. On Saturday we took the kidlets to the park to “throw rocks in the Mississippi.” There is a paved two-mile path that runs along the top edge of the park and a flattened grass path that runs closer to river that runs parallel to the paved portion.

In between the two is about 50 yards of grass and trees. There is parking at both end of the park and about six or so benches that face the river positioned the edge of the grass before the park area slopes down to the water. There are about two yards of rocks and then some pretty impassible looking vegetation that makes direct river access difficult.

My plan was to walk the kidlets as much as they could stand and then sit at the edge of the river. We made it about a mile before the whining and pick me up started. We sat down on a few rocks and attempted to throw things into the river, which was much farther away that it initially seemed. They also found a battered foam cushion an empty glass bottle and an ant hill to occupy their intest. I enjoyed watching the boats and barges make there way up and down the river.

There is no playground equipment and no restrooms, but there are water fountains in the parking lot. It is very scenic and would be a perfect place for a picnic. Miss Cordelias is also right across the street, so it would be an easy walk to  Harbor Island  for lunch. We ultimately decided on Huey’s (having recently read the Flyer’s best of article and being in the mood for hamburgers).

It is a beautiful place to just sit and enjoy the river. I imagine we’ll be back with kites, picnics and tricycles.