Bruce Park In Greenwich Nominated For 'Best City Park' In The U.S.

GREENWICH, CT — One of Greenwich's crown jewel properties has once again been nominated for "Best City Parks 2025" by USA Today and their 10Best Readers' Choice Awards.

An expert panel has nominated their top parks, and now residents can vote once per day until polls close on April 7 at noon. The 10 winning parks will be announced on April 16.

"City parks provide space to connect with nature and the community, and the best of them offer a variety of activities and attractions for residents and visitors, from playgrounds and community gardens to skate parks and live performances," USA Today's 10Best says on its website. "We're celebrating these verdant havens by looking for the best city parks across the United States."

Robert Moffat Bruce, a cotton magnate and philanthropist, donated his home, which is now the Bruce Museum, and 100 acres to the town of Greenwich in 1908, making the property the town's oldest public park.

The park includes sports and athletic fields, tennis courts, walking paths, ponds and waterways, and scenic views of Long Island Sound. It also features a popular playground for families, and has been the home for various cookouts, events and charity races.

"Bruce Park has long been my personal favorite of all of our beautiful parks here in town, and the fact it’s nominated each year to compete with the most beautiful parks in the country is a testament to what a treasure it truly is," First Selectman Fred Camillo told Patch. "I urge all of our residents to please go online and vote once a day as that is allowed and show your love and support for our beautiful park by the Sound."

Last October, the Greenwich Representative Town Meeting voted 176-4-1 to grant historic property designation for Bruce Park.

The designation helps maintain the historic nature of the park and protect it against future development. Any future change to a "contributing structure or factor" on the 48-acre property must receive a certificate of appropriateness from the Greenwich Historic District Commission (HDC).

From 1908 to 1958, the park was established and its major physical features were constructed, which included ponds, roadways and recreational facilities. In those years, Greenwich added granite curbstones and various plantings to enhance the visual appeal of the property.

"This 60-acre park in Greenwich offers a variety of activities, plus a scenic view of Long Island Sound. Walkers and joggers will enjoy the marked and measured trail, and ponds and wooded areas offer visitors a peaceful getaway," USA Today's 10Best says of the park. "Tennis courts, horseshoe pits, a croquet court, a baseball diamond, and playgrounds are available for the athletically inclined, and picnic areas are equipped with tables and grills. Visit the hilltop gazebo, or pick a bench to sit, read, and meditate in the beautiful surroundings."