One of the hidden gems in Milford is the Mispillion Riverwalk, a two-mile greenway trail that meanders along the Mispillion River. It is one of the most extensive riverwalks in Delaware and takes visitors through the historic areas of downtown.
The Mispillion Riverwalk vision began in 1974 when the City of Milford began discussing the first riverwalk established by a municipality in Delaware. Then director of Milford Parks and Recreation, Gary Emory, saw the need for a trail that would travel along the banks of the Mispillion, preserve greenspace and provide a beautiful area for residents and visitors to enjoy the river.
At the time the town was starting talks to construct a riverwalk, the downtown area had lost some of its luster. Goat Island was a trash-strewn area known as a place for “parties.” The city decided to purchase the island, which was named for the goats brought to the island to graze during the summer by local farmers. As agricultural activities moved out of town, the farmers stopped bringing goats and the island returned to its natural state, but the name remained.
Construction did not begin on the Riverwalk until 1991, and it was not declared finished until 2014 when, ironically, Goat Island, which was supposed to be the first piece of the walkway, was completed. The Goat Island area of the Riverwalk is named for Gary Emory, who devoted much of his career in Milford to bringing the Riverwalk to life. In all, 23 projects, all with different funding, were needed to complete the walking trail.
The Mispillion Riverwalk begins near the old firehall on Church Street and travels toward town, crossing Southwest Front Street and following the river into town. The back of several historic buildings can be seen on this section of the walk, especially as it turns along the river heading to Walnut Street.
Once downtown, the Riverwalk crosses Walnut Street where you can take a selfie with one foot in Kent County and one foot in Sussex County. Cross Washington Street and enter Memorial Park with pickleball courts, basketball courts and a playground. Turn and cross the Mispillion River bridge with beautiful views of the river into Bicentennial Park.
While standing on the bridge, the last shipyard still in operation in Milford is visible. The Vineyard Shipyard, one of seven to exist in the town at one time, is still a working shipyard. You can often see the a few of the yachts built there and restored by Joan and Sudler Lofland, the Augusta and the Kizmet, sitting in the river.
Once you enter Bicentennial Park, a park created in recognition of the bicentennial celebration in 1976, a brick walkway takes you to a memorial for fallen soldiers from Milford. However, if you turn left at the bridge and follow the sidewalk into the parking lot behind Calvary Church, take a left on Columbia Street, you can pick the Riverwalk up again at the intersection of Columbia and Mispillion Streets. Follow the trail to the river and take a left, walking past the Milford Dog Park and around the point to Goat Island. A small bridge takes you to the island which also has a trail to follow.
Several displays on Goat Island explain the various wild, marine and plant life that call the island home. The trail circles the edge of the island and returns to the bridge in order to exit.
The Mispillion Riverwalk, part of the Delaware Bayshore Greenway, is a great place to exercise, take in nature and enjoy all that downtown Milford has to offer.
