The best parks in Winooski for college students include the Winooski River Walk for easy riverside strolls, the Casavant and Gilbrook Natural Areas for wooded walking and running trails, and Landry Park for sports courts, open fields, a skate park, and the Myers Memorial Pool. Spinner Place, located at 25 Winooski Falls Way, sits directly across the street from the Winooski River, which puts residents within steps of the River Walk and a short trip from every other park on this list.
Spinner Place offers fully furnished apartments in the heart of downtown Winooski, just one block from the city’s roundabout of coffee shops and restaurants, with all utilities and high-speed Wi-Fi included in rent. That location makes it easy to fit an outdoor break into a busy day of classes and studying.
Spinner Place Guide to Parks in Winooski, VT
Winooski is often described as the densest city in Vermont, but it has a surprising amount of green space for its size. It has riverfront walkways, more than 100 acres of natural area trails, and a full-service neighborhood park with courts and fields. Whether you want a quiet spot to read, a trail for a morning run, or a court for a pickup game, most of it is within walking or biking distance of Spinner Place.
Which Parks Are Closest to Spinner Place?
Some of Winooski’s best outdoor spots are close enough to reach between classes. Two in particular are practically on Spinner Place’s doorstep.
The Winooski River Walk Starts Right Across the Street
The Winooski River Walk runs along the river on both sides of the historic Champlain Mill. It starts as a wide concrete walkway and boardwalk overlooking the Winooski Falls, then turns into dirt trails once it reaches the woods. The walkway is about 0.6 miles one way and has benches along the route, which makes it an easy place to decompress after an exam or talk on the phone with a view. It also passes the Woolen Mill and Champlain Mill, two landmarks of Winooski’s history as a mill town. It’s one of the most photographed spots in the city, especially during fall foliage season.
Rotary Park Offers a Quick Green Break Downtown
Rotary Park is the grassy space inside Winooski’s downtown roundabout, just one block from Spinner Place. It’s small, but it’s a convenient spot to sit with a coffee from one of the nearby cafés or meet up with friends before heading out to dinner. In autumn, its trees make it one of the more colorful corners of downtown.
Between a riverfront boardwalk across the street and a green space at the center of downtown, residents don’t have to go far for a quick outdoor reset.
Where Can You Find Walking and Running Trails in Winooski?
For something more immersive than a downtown stroll, Winooski has two natural areas with wooded trails, wetlands, and river views. Both are free to visit, and both feel much more remote than their locations would suggest.
| Trail | Approximate Length | Surface | Best For |
| Winooski River Walk | 0.6 miles one way | Concrete, boardwalk, packed dirt | Easy strolls and river views |
| Winooski Nature Trail (Casavant Natural Area) | 1.3-mile trail network | Packed dirt, gravel, boardwalk | Walks, trail runs, and birding |
| Gilbrook Natural Area | 1.3-mile trail network | Packed dirt | Quiet runs and pond views |
Casavant Natural Area Follows the Winooski River
Casavant Natural Area is the larger of Winooski’s two natural areas. Its Winooski Nature Trail follows the river toward the falls, passing rock cliffs and a railroad trestle that crosses the water. The trail is mostly easy walking with a few short, steep sections and wooden bridges over boggy stretches. It’s a good choice for trail runners who want some variety without leaving town. You can reach it from the end of the Winooski River Walk or from a trailhead parking lot off East Allen Street, just west of the railroad tracks. Casavant’s open spaces are also used for picnics and ultimate frisbee.
Gilbrook Natural Area Is a Quiet Escape Near Saint Michael’s
Gilbrook Natural Area covers roughly 44 acres of forest, wetlands, and ponds right next to the Saint Michael’s College campus. Its trail network has interpretive signs about the local ecology, a picnic spot, and benches spaced along the route. Most of the trail is flat and wooded, which makes it a steady, low-stress option for an easy jog or a walk to clear your head. Keep an eye on the pond in summer, since great blue herons and turtles are common sightings. The trailhead is at the end of Gilbrook Road, near the Winooski Public Works facility.
Both natural areas are open from dawn to dusk. Their posted rules require dogs to be leashed and don’t allow mountain bikes, so they’re best explored on foot. Between the two, students have several miles of trail to explore without needing a car.
What Does Landry Park Offer Students?
Landry Park, at 53 Pine Street, is Winooski’s main neighborhood park and has the widest mix of amenities in the city. At about 8.6 acres, it has room for everything from a solo study session to a group game.
Here’s what students can find at Landry Park:
- Tennis courts: Two courts, known as the Jason Beck Tennis Courts, for a casual rally with a roommate.
- Basketball court: One outdoor court for pickup games when the weather cooperates.
- Skate park: A concrete skate park with street-style and transition features for skateboarders, roller skaters, and BMX riders.
- Open fields: Grassy fields and a ballpark for frisbee, soccer, or spreading out a blanket with a textbook.
- Picnic tables and a walking path: Good for eating outside or taking a short walking break.
- Community gardens: A green corner of the park worth a look during the growing season.
Myers Memorial Pool Is the Place to Cool Off in Summer
The Kenneth R. Myers Memorial Pool sits on Pine Street next to Landry Park and reopened in 2021 after a complete rebuild. The facility has a six-lane competition-style pool and a second pool with a gradual, sloped entry. It’s a good option for summer session students or anyone staying in Winooski between semesters. The pool is seasonal, so check the City of Winooski’s website for current hours and admission before you go.
West Allen Park Adds Another Court Downtown
West Allen Park, at 101 W Allen Street near Winooski City Hall, is a smaller 1.8-acre park with a basketball court and a fenced dog park. It’s about a three-minute drive from Spinner Place and is handy when the courts at Landry are busy.
With courts, fields, a skate park, and a pool all in one spot, Landry Park covers most of what students want from a neighborhood park.
What Can You Do in Winooski’s Parks During the Winter?
Vermont winters are long, but Winooski’s parks don’t shut down when the snow arrives. Several of them turn into cold-weather recreation spots.
- Go sledding at Landry Park. The park has a sledding hill that isn’t too steep but is fairly long, so it’s easy to take a few runs.
- Skate on an outdoor rink. Landry Park also hosts an outdoor skating rink in winter, depending on conditions.
- Try cross-country skiing at Gilbrook or Casavant. Both natural areas are popular for cross-country skiing once there’s enough snow cover.
- Take a winter walk along the river. The River Walk’s views of the frozen falls are worth bundling up for.
With a little planning around the weather, Winooski’s parks stay useful all year instead of just from spring to fall.
Winooski’s Parks Are Right Outside Spinner Place
Between a riverfront boardwalk across the street, two natural areas with wooded trails, and a full-service park with courts, fields, and a pool, Winooski gives students more outdoor space than a city its size might suggest. Most of it is within walking distance of downtown, and the natural areas feel like a real break from campus life.
Spinner Place adds to that convenience with its own fitness center, study rooms, resident lounge, and game room, plus bicycle storage and covered parking. Fully furnished apartments with individual leases, roommate matching, free onsite laundry, and all utilities included make it easy to spend less time on logistics and more time outside.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best park in Winooski, VT for college students?
Landry Park is the most well-rounded option, with tennis and basketball courts, open fields, a skate park, picnic tables, and the Myers Memorial Pool right next door. For quieter outdoor time, the Winooski River Walk and the Casavant Natural Area are also popular choices.
Where can I walk or run on trails in Winooski?
The Casavant Natural Area and Gilbrook Natural Area both have wooded trail networks of about 1.3 miles each. The Winooski River Walk offers an easier 0.6-mile path along the river and connects to the Casavant trails.
What parks are closest to Spinner Place?
The Winooski River Walk is directly across the street from Spinner Place, and Rotary Park sits in the downtown roundabout one block away. Landry Park and West Allen Park are a short walk or drive from the property.
Is there a public pool in Winooski?
Yes. The Kenneth R. Myers Memorial Pool, next to Landry Park on Pine Street, is a seasonal outdoor facility with a six-lane lap pool and a second pool with a sloped entry.
Are there basketball or tennis courts in Winooski?
Yes. Landry Park has two tennis courts and a basketball court, and West Allen Park on W Allen Street has another basketball court.
Can you cross-country ski in Winooski?
Yes. Gilbrook Natural Area and Casavant Natural Area are both used for cross-country skiing in winter, and Landry Park has a sledding hill.
