Gov. Deval Patrick on Thursday announced a $1.3 million investment in Springfield’s North Riverfront Park.

The funding will be used to develop a public green space along the Connecticut River. The project will also include a fitness trail, with a series of exercise stations along Riverside Road and the Connecticut River Walk and Bikeway, which will begin at North Riverfront Park.

"Growth requires investment, and creating and then upgrading our urban parks will create growth and opportunity in Springfield and beyond," Patrick said in a statement. "This investment will improve the lives of the city’s residents now and for generations to come."

Springfield is one of seven Massachusetts cities receiving funding through the Patrick Administration’s signature Urban Parks program, which seeks to revitalize urban communities by opening up, or upgrading, green spaces. Patrick previously announced funding for projects in Brockton, Chelsea, Fall River, Lawrence, Pittsfield and Roxbury. Springfield is also receiving $1.225 million through the program for upgrades to Camp STAR Angelina at Forest Park, which was announced last fall.