The old Bristol Ferry landing (now known as Mt. Hope Park) was once the transportation center for Portsmouth. Ferry boat service to Bristol and back began as early as the 1650s. The Old Colony Railway had a train station there and steamboats docked at that spot for travelers on the Fall River and Providence steam boat line. In the early 20th century, the electric street railway came to Bristol Ferry from Newport. Passengers could proceed to a ferry to cross to downtown Bristol were they could take a train to Providence. When the Mt. Hope Bridge opened in 1929 and the ferries stopped running, the area lost much of its importance as a transportation center.

Through the years the area became the site of Mount Hope Marina, a restaurant. When it closed the land was vacant and cut off from the public with fencing. In January 2016, the Aquidneck Island Land Trust and the Town of Portsmouth formed a partnership to purchase the waterfront property. The Town of Portsmouth owns the property subject to a conservation easement with the the Land Trust. Mount Hope Park opened for public use on August 30, 2019.

Mt. Hope Park is considered a public access to the shoreline. The beautiful view is open to all because of a guaranteed right to access the shoreline that dates back to the Royal Charter granted to the colony of Rhode Island by King Charles II in 1663. Mount Hope Park is just one of the state’s more than 220 designated coastal rights-of-way, including more than 65 on Aquidneck Island.

It is a beautiful spot to enjoy the sun setting behind Mt. Hope Bridge. It is also recreational with access for kayaks and fishing available