Riverside is a neighborhood of Cambridge that has its southern border on the Charles River, which is how it got its name. It includes some of the oldest and best-known areas of Cambridge. Harvard Square is in Riverside, and it shares Central Square with Cambridgeport. These two squares are on either end of the neighborhood east to west, with Massachusetts Avenue running between them. This is the community’s northern border. This street holds most of the commercial business in the area. The eastern border is River Street. The western is JFK Street.
Riverside is mainly a residential area. This is the neighborhood where Harvard has much of its student housing. Some of the university is also located in Riverside, though Harvard Yard is not. This gives the area a very young vibe, although it is an old, historic area. The Riverside neighborhood includes multifamily houses and condos, many of them between 100 and 150 years old. The streets are away from the hustle and bustle of Harvard and Central Square. The community is amazingly quiet and residential.
Playgrounds and parks abound, and there are jogging and bike paths. Franklin Street Park is an oasis in this part of the city. Though it is not a children’s playground, there is one located at the King School. This is an urban park with AstroTurf, park benches, and picnic tables. It also includes a very unusual metal dome that rises from the ground. However, it is not a dog-friendly park. Riverside Press Park offers basketball, tennis, a playground, and water play.
Both Harvard Square and Central Square are on the T. Frequent buses traverse the Riverside neighborhood. While shopping is great, most stores are small local establishments. Residents can visit a Whole Foods Market on River Street and a neighborhood Starbucks. Overall, Riverside is an affluent, popular area.
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