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Island Park

Island Park

Suburban Neighborhood in Portsmouth, Rhode Island

Newport County 02871
$584,427 Average Value
$261 Average Price per Sq Ft
0 Homes For Sale
Flo's Drive-in is a true staple of Portsmouth's Island Park neighborhood.
Flo's Drive-in is a true staple of Portsmouth's Island Park neighborhood.

In Portsmouth, fresh clam cakes and views of the Mount Hope Bridge

At Flo’s Drive-in, a weathered clam shack on the bay, cars line up to try the famous chowder, clam cakes and fish sandwiches in the summer. Families bring their lunches to Teddy’s beach next door, watching waves gently lap at the shore. Island Park, a Portsmouth neighborhood made of approximately 600 homes, sits just off the Mount Hope Bridge at the northernmost part of Aquidneck Island. In the words of Wayne Leaver, a board member at the Barrington Farm School and a Portsmouth local, “The Mount Hope Bridge, constructed in 1929, is both a connection to Aquidneck Island and a split from the mainland.” Up until the late 1990s, cars were required to pay tolls to pass, but today, travel is free… Except for the traffic that clogs up the lanes come summer when beachgoers from Providence and beyond pack their coolers and head to Aquidneck. That being said, “Traffic quiets down vastly in the tourist off-season,” says AnnaLeigh Bowser, who works as a Team Leader with the Newport Preservation Society and regularly commutes over the bridge. Some businesses on the island limit their hours in the fall and winter, and Flo’s shuts down operations entirely until the vacationers return. Save for the sound of seagulls and car radios when the weather warms up enough to roll the windows down, life in Island Park is quiet.
Graceful stonework buttresses this home and others in the Island Park neighborhood.
Graceful stonework buttresses this home and others in the Island Park neighborhood.

Seaside cottages surrounded by hydrangea bushes

At the base of the Mount Hope Bridge, most homes date back to the 1940s and ‘50s. Prospective buyers will find shingled New England cottages, bungalows, Foursquares and ranch-styles. Prices for most single-family homes start in the high $300,000s and range up to $600,000 depending on square footage, condition and bedroom count. In “The Point” section of Portsmouth (the tip of Point Road), prices easily surpass $1 million and homes come with water views. Hanging plants and rocking chairs decorate front porches, and many properties are surrounded by hydrangea bushes that bloom blue in July. Most properties don’t come with attached garages, and residents park their pickup trucks and small motorboats in narrow driveways or front yard lots. Rads are weathered by New England winters, when plows dispense sand and salt to prevent wheels from slipping.
The finest in prepared foods combine in Clements Marketplace in Portsmouth.
The finest in prepared foods combine in Clements Marketplace in Portsmouth.

Seafood by the bay, Clement’s for groceries and local garden centers

When it comes to Island Park dining, Flo’s Drive-In is a must; be prepared for long lines. Or reserve a table at 15 Point Road Restaurant, which blends upscale dining with ocean views. Meet up with friends to try local beers and play board games at Ragged Island Brewing Company, a newer addition to the Portsmouth area. According to Leaver, Fieldstones on Route 138 is another local haunt. “Get there early as the bar and dining tables fill up quickly at lunchtime,” he says, adding, “I recommend the Bristol Ferry sandwich, which is grilled salmon, spinach, bacon, homemade sauce on a delicious soft roll.” In this part of Rhode Island, most restaurant menus include seafood. Check items off the grocery list at Clement’s Marketplace, where a model train runs over the heads of shoppers; there’s also a CVS and Walgreens nearby. “For all things yard-related,” Leaver recommends stopping by Mello’s Farm and Flower Center, and Cory Farms is a go-to for unique gifts and trinkets. There are always more options just across the Bridge in Downtown Bristol, and Fall River Massachusetts is 15 minutes away along Rhode Island Route 24.
Horse, dog, and car shows are some of the possibilities at Glen Park in Portsmouth.
Horse, dog, and car shows are some of the possibilities at Glen Park in Portsmouth.

Polo matches and topiary gardens

Located off Route 138, Newport Polo hosts teams from Thailand, Egypt, Italy and more. Leaver recommends packing a picnic lunch to enjoy while watching the match — tickets for lawn seating are $20 per adult, but some prefer renting out their own chalets for $125. Although dressing up isn’t required, some attendees wear sundresses and wide-brimmed hats straight out of 20th-century society pages. Or visit the Green Animals Topiary Gardens, where shrubbery is carved in the shape of zoo animals and tulips bloom brightly in early May. In the fall, families head to Escobar’s Farm for the pumpkin patch and corn maze, which is cut into a different shape every year. On July 4th, brave the Mount Hope Bridge traffic and drive to Downtown Bristol, which has hosted an Independence Day Parade since 1785 (the oldest celebration in the country).
Sunbathing or strolling, the beach in the Island Park neighborhood is a great place to be.
Sunbathing or strolling, the beach in the Island Park neighborhood is a great place to be.

Local beaches, Island Park Playground and the Del’s Lemonade truck

Pebbled beaches line Island Park’s southern border. There’s Island Park Beach and Teddy Beach on Park Avenue, which Leaver identifies as a local favorite. Farther down Route 138, kids looking to boogieboard larger waves prefer Second Beach. “People come here to enjoy the beaches, plus this area is close to Safe Harbor Marina and the Aquidneck Club, if you happen to be an avid golfer,” adds Alexandra Thursby, a listing agent with Lila Delman Compass and a Rhode Island native. There’s also Montaup Country Club, which is famous for its views of the Mount Hope Bridge. At the center of the neighborhood sits Island Park Playground and an outdoor basketball court. Licensed fishers will head to Gull Cove to cast their lines for saltwater anglers, and dog owners can drive to the Portsmouth Dog Park, which has agility courses and divided big and small dog areas. A common guest at many Rhode Island beaches and parks is the yellow and green Del’s truck; this regional chain has been serving up frozen lemonade in the summer since the 1940s.
The Portsmouth High School is a paragon of educational opportunity,
The Portsmouth High School is a paragon of educational opportunity,

The Early Enrollment Program and Career and Technical pathways at Portsmouth High

Island Park students can enroll in public schools like Hathaway Elementary, which received a B-plus from the educational review site, Niche. Portsmouth Middle and Portsmouth High both received A-minus grades. Through the Early Enrollment Program (EEP), high schoolers can earn college credit in everything from Financial Algebra to Music Production and Engineering. At Portsmouth High, Career and Technical Education pathways include the Academy for Media Communication and Digital Video Production and the Academy of Education, Child Development and Human Services.

Private school options in the area include Portsmouth Abbey, where classrooms overlook the bay and some students board on campus. Roger William’s University is just over the bridge in Bristol, and Island Park residents can attend student performances and athletic events.
The historic Mount Hope Bridge connects Island Park to the mainland as an omnipresent symbol.
The historic Mount Hope Bridge connects Island Park to the mainland as an omnipresent symbol.

Lookouts along Routes 138 and 114, RIPTA and airport access

According to Leaver, two of Portsmouth’s main arteries are Route 138 and Route 114. “Look for little secluded spots where you can pull over and enjoy the view,” he says. Downtown Providence is just over 25 miles from Island Park, and Route 24 passes through Fall River on the way. Or pick up RIPTA bus 60, which stops along East Main Road and Byods Lane and passes over the Mount Hope through East Bay neighborhoods like Bristol, Warren and Barrington. Residents can fly out of T.F. Green Airport, and Boston Logan International Airport offers more nonstop options approximately 60 miles — or an hour, depending on traffic — away. Medical care is available at Lifespan Urgent Care in Middletown, and there’s also Newport Hospital to the south. Rhode Island Hospital in Providence is about 25 miles away.
Sara Caskey
Written By
Sara Caskey
Jacob Cooperman
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Jacob Cooperman

Agents Specializing in this Area

  • Connor Dowd

    Connor Dowd

    Keller Williams Coastal

    (401) 830-9302

    402 Total Sales

    6 in Island Park

    $275K - $1.2M Price Range

    Connor Dowd
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  • Kenneth Mongeon

    Kenneth Mongeon

    Responds Quickly

    KAM Realty

    (774) 713-9417

    148 Total Sales

    3 in Island Park

    $65K - $949K Price Range

    Kenneth Mongeon
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  • Kathy Bain Farrell

    Kathy Bain Farrell

    Responds Quickly

    RE/MAX Town & Country

    (774) 901-2582

    543 Total Sales

    1 in Island Park

    $1,250,000 Price

    Kathy Bain Farrell
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  • JH

    Jeffrey Hunt

    Responds Quickly

    J. M. Hunt Realty

    (857) 816-7724

    18 Total Sales

    1 in Island Park

    $440,000 Price

    Jeffrey Hunt
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  • Deborah Plant

    Deborah Plant

    Responds Quickly

    Hearth & Harbor Realty

    (401) 329-9956

    72 Total Sales

    1 in Island Park

    $390,000 Price

    Deborah Plant
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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to The Mathew J Arruda Group, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Rhode Island Tf Green International

49 min drive

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Island Park US
Homicide 2 4
Sexual Assault 2 4
Assault with Weapon 2 4
Robbery 2 4
Burglary 3 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 3 4
Larceny 3 4
Crime Score 3 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Island Park Demographics and Home Trends

On average, homes in Island Park, Portsmouth sell after 128 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Island Park, Portsmouth over the last 12 months is $460,000, down 26% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$460,000
Median Sale Price
$460,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$540,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$460,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
5
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-26%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$261

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
498
Number of Homes for Sale
0
Median Year Built
1945
Months of Supply
0.00
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,277
Significantly below the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,884
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
4,791

Open Houses

  • Saturday, Aug 2
    10:30am - 12pm

    53 Green St, Portsmouth, RI 02871

    $799,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 1.5 Baths
    • 1,282 Sq Ft
    • 53 Green St
    • New 1 day ago

    First built as a summer cottage in 1928, 53 Green St. on Blue Bell Cove in Portsmouth has been home to the current owners since 1974. This 6500 SqFt lot, looks out over the water with 61 Ft of waterfront and direct access to the shore. The cottage is two stories with 3 bedrooms and 1 and baths, living room, dining room, eat in kitchen/ great room and is approx. 1282 SqFt. With vintage charm

    Cathy Wicks Hogan Associates Christie's

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  • Sunday, Aug 3
    10:30am - 12pm

    386 Park Ave, Portsmouth, RI 02871

    $1,849,000

    • 4 Beds
    • 5 Baths
    • 2,800 Sq Ft
    • 386 Park Ave

    Summer is here! Don't miss your opportunity to enjoy this coastal home. Ocean Mist is just steps away from the sand in the eclectic community of Island Park. Completed in April 2025, this 2800 sq ft multi-level coastal home combines a flexible floor plan with easy going outdoor spaces including 2 covered decks and an open roof top deck with 365 degrees of water views. Multiple windows provide

    Cathy Wicks Hogan Associates Christie's

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Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

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Homes for Rent

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Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to The Mathew J Arruda Group, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value

Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
1,115
Median Age
48
Population Density
5 ppl/acre
Population under 18
17.4%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
25.5%
Above the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$83,904
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$103,437

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
97.1%
College Graduates
20.8%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
5.2%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
71.3%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
48''
Average Winter Low Temperature
24°F
Average Summer High Temperature
77°F
Annual Snowfall
32''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

31 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

22 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Island Park
The Mathew J Arruda Group
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The Mathew J Arruda Group
The Mathew J Arruda Group
Compass
Agent experienced in this area
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