Runners, fishermen, dog walkers and park enthusiasts have found their way to the recently unveiled River Road Park, making use of the redesigned and expanded parkway.
On Wednesday, city officials will hold a ceremony at 10:30 a.m. to officially open the park, which has undergone an extensive seven-month riverbank restabilization process.
“The project represents a significant investment in enhancing the environmental sustainability of the park while improving public access and experiences,” Chris Shadrock, city communications director, said Monday.
“Key features of the project include the installation of a new pedestrian boardwalk and fishing piers, which offer our visitors new opportunities to engage with nature and the picturesque surroundings of River Road Park,” Shadrock said.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony will mark the culmination of extensive efforts to enrich the park's amenities and preserve its natural beauty for generations to come. A mile-long portion of the river was drained in September, allowing work crews to enter the river and start dredging silt and begin repairing the eroding riverbank. Some 7,000 tons of silt were removed, according to updates issued last month.
More clearly defined pedestrian access to the creek was added, along with a buffer space between the sidewalk and the creek bank to maintain the creek edge, according to city Parks and Recreation Department staff. Thousands of native plants and vegetation were planted to improve stormwater runoff.
As construction began to wind down, the water flow returned in mid-March. Invasive species of fish were removed, and the river restocked with fish species native to the area.
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