Information
Landmark: River Common ParkCity: Wilkes Barre
Country: USA Pennsylvania
Continent: North America
River Common Park, Wilkes Barre, USA Pennsylvania, North America
Overview
River Common Park, a restored landmark along Wilkes-Barre’s eastern Susquehanna River bank, blends history with fresh green spaces where the water glints in the sun.It’s a lively spot where neighbors come together, framed by shady trees, playgrounds, art exhibits, and echoes of the town’s past.The park links the city’s people and its guests to the river, where they can kayak, picnic under shady trees, or enjoy a lively concert on summer nights.River Common ranks among the nation’s oldest public parks, its roots stretching back to 1769 when settlers gathered under sprawling oak trees by the river.Back in the early colonial days, settlers used this land mainly for everyday needs, like tying their horses to a weathered wooden post.During the Revolutionary War, soldiers pitched their tents here, a small cluster of fires and canvas that left its mark on the region’s history.In the early 1800s, the park drew crowds for the yearly American Shad run, a lively fishing tradition that lasted until the Nanticoke Dam’s construction disrupted the river’s flow and silvery fish vanished from its currents.River Common’s landscape was crafted by the Olmsted family, the minds behind New York City’s Central Park, a legacy that deepens the park’s cultural roots and design story.The park runs along the Susquehanna River, hugging both banks of the Market Street Bridge in downtown Wilkes-Barre.It forms a green corridor from the city to the river, where pavement gives way to rustling leaves and open air.Address: 133 North River Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702.Just a short walk from downtown, the park’s easy to reach whether you’re on foot, riding a bike, or driving, with parking available nearby at the Boscov’s Department Store Garage or the Citizen’s Bank Parking Garage.At River Common, you’ll find a 750-seat outdoor amphitheater where music drifts over the water during concerts, plays light up the stage, and the community gathers for events and lively festivals.The venue packs in big crowds and stands as the park’s cultural heart, where music drifts through the air on summer nights.The 300-foot fishing pier stretches out over the Susquehanna River, giving anglers room to cast their lines and visitors a clear view of the water glinting in the sun.It’s a quiet spot where you can unwind and watch the leaves sway gently in the breeze.The park offers smooth, paved trails where you can walk, jog, or cycle past rows of rustling trees.These paths link up with the Luzerne County Levee Trail, opening longer routes that follow the river’s curve and wind through the wider region.Sardoni Circle is a round seating space that holds about 100 people, often hosting gatherings, ceremonies, or more intimate events beneath the open sky.It carves out a cozy nook in the middle of the park, a spot where you can hear leaves rustle just a few feet away.Neatly kept gardens, clusters of ornamental trees, and sweeping landscaped paths brighten the park’s natural charm, offering cool patches of shade where you can pause and let the breeze drift past.Grand Gateways: Two striking entrance arches link Wilkes-Barre’s bustling downtown to the riverfront, where the air smells faintly of water and stone.The gateways greet visitors at the park’s edge, drawing them in and underscoring the park’s place at the heart of the community.At River Common Park, you’ll find events running all year-from summer concerts by the water to autumn art fairs-offering something for just about everyone.Every summer, crowds gather for “Rockin’ the River,” a hit concert series that brings tribute bands and lively performers to the water’s edge.Thousands flock to the event each year, filling the air with chatter and music, and it’s now one of the biggest dates on the local cultural calendar.You’ll find festivals and fairs, outdoor theater under the stars, lively dance performances, seasonal celebrations, holiday events, and neighborhood meet-ups with hands-on workshops-all bringing people together and inviting them to enjoy public spaces for play, learning, and culture.The park is a vital green lung for downtown Wilkes-Barre, offering open lawns where you can hear the wind in the trees and shelter for wildlife in the middle of the city.Set along the river’s edge, the site encourages people to learn about the Susquehanna and care for its waters.With its playgrounds, tree-lined paths, and rich history, River Common draws both locals and visitors looking for a place to relax outdoors and soak up a bit of culture.Summary River Common Park isn’t just a patch of grass-it’s a lively mix of history, culture, and recreation, where Wilkes-Barre meets its river roots and the scent of fresh water drifts in from the banks.From the open-air amphitheater and quiet fishing pier to winding trails and blooming gardens, its mix of amenities invites all kinds of activities and adds a vital spark to the city’s quality of life.
