City Island - Harrisburg, Pennsylvania - City Park with Beach, Sport and Other Activities

City Island is a 63 acre park situated in the middle of the Susquehanna River in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. It is accessible by foot via Walnut St. Bridge or by car via the Market St. Bridge over the river. Free parking is provided downtown and on City Island's two parking lots and multi-story garage except weekday mornings prior to 11 am, before Harrisburg Senators baseball games, holiday weekends, and during city special events when a nominal fee is charged.

The Harrisburg Senators have played baseball on the island since their formation in 1987. As a professional outfit they attract hundred's of thousands of fans to their stadium on the island each season, which runs between April and September. Since their formation more than 200 players have been sent up to the Major Leagues by the Senators and they are the first team in league history to win four Eastern League titles.

Visitors can practice their own baseball skills in the batting cages situated at the park just off the Walnut St. Bridge, which are open between April and October. The island also has its own beach open between mid June and Labor Day, where visitors can swim for free. There are life guards on hand at the beach, with signs indicating what times they are on duty.

Other sporting activities available include an 18-hole miniature golf course, where visitors can also obtain food and beverages. The Skyline Sports Complex has sand volleyball courts and a field used for softball, semi-pro football and soccer. More sedate recreational activities such as kite flying or yo-yoing can be pursued with a shop called Island Breezes Kite Shop selling such items and various other toys.

Sight seeing can start on the City Island Railroad, which is a smaller version of a Civil War era steam train and runs every half hour. Adjacent to the train depot is an antique 24 horse carousel ride. An alternative way to get around the island is to take a horse drawn carriage ride, which can also be hired for special occasions such as weddings or parades.

There is docking space for boats from May through mid-October at the island's three marinas, South Pointe, Harrisburg and Riverside, which are located north of the Walnut St. Bridge and south of the Market St. Bridge. Boat owners and enthusiasts can launch their boats free from the launching ramp at the south end of City Island. Watercraft including canoes can be rented from select marinas or alternatively visitors can take a ride on a paddlewheel riverboat, which offers daily cruises, dinner cruises or murder mystery cruises between May and October.

For visitors looking for something to eat, the Riverside Village Park has seven rustic concession stands selling a variety of items such as hamburgers, hotdogs and sandwiches. Lemonade and ice cream can also be purchased here. There are designated picnic areas on the island including the Skyline Picnic Pavilion, which offers great views of the river and the Harrisburg city skyline.