Fredericksburg, Virginia proudly celebrated the opening of their new Riverfront Park in 2022, boasting spectacular views of the Rappahannock River and a host of high-tech features, including interactive water features, public Wi-Fi, and security cameras. Now nearing completion, public restrooms at the park are expected to be in place by the 2023 holiday season, further showcasing the success of its collaboration with the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC).
Riverfront Park Features
Riverfront Park Features:
• Stunning views of the Rappahannock River
• Open space for events
• Interactive water feature
• Meadow
• Children’s play area
• Solar-powered lighting
• Free public Wi-Fi
• Flood sensors
• Security cameras
On May 21, 2022, Fredericksburg celebrated the opening of Riverfront Park and the launch of the Otter-ly Amazing Fredericksburg Project, proudly awarded by the Virginia Recreation and Park Society. Located at 701 Sophia Street in historic downtown, this almost four-acre park boasts stunning views of the Rappahannock River as well as open space, event space, an interactive water feature, a meadow, and a children’s play area. What’s more, it is the first park in the region to provide solar-powered lighting, free public Wi-Fi, flood sensors, and security cameras, allowing visitors to access the Internet through their own wireless-enabled devices.
Now, years later, the City of Fredericksburg is pleased to announce that the public restrooms at Riverfront Park are nearing the final planning stages and are expected to be in place by the 2023 holiday season. Thanks to generous funding, the design has received a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Architectural Review Board, and the project is currently in the permitting stage. Together with FEMA’s April 2023 Flood Insurance Rate Maps, the City staff and design teams have worked diligently to ensure that this important aspect of the park will remain safe and functional even in the event of flooding.
Smart Technology for Fredericksburg’s Riverfront Park
Fredericksburg is proud to have been the first community to collaborate with the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC) Smart Communities initiatives in 2018. With the city’s partnership and a $75,000 grant from VIPC, expansive plans for Riverfront Park were implemented which included smart technology that will be integrated into the park design in phases. Chief Technology Officer and Vice President of Strategic Initiatives for VIPC, Dave Ihrie, praised the early vision of the project, noting his enthusiasm for the great community space that utilized the latest Internet of Things and public Wi-Fi technologies. He also looked forward to continued collaboration between Fredericksburg and VIPC as a leading innovation partner.
Riverfront Park was chosen as the perfect home for the mother otter sculpture in Fredericksburg Main Street’s Otter-ly Amazing Trail, a partnership between the downtown business community and the City of Fredericksburg. This exciting project seeks to highlight the Rappahannock River ecosystem and the city’s vibrant arts culture through an interactive art experience in historic downtown. As people search for the bronze river otters, they will be able to explore all the wonderful restaurants, coffee shops, and retail opportunities that Downtown Fredericksburg has to offer. The otter will serve as a symbol of the health and vitality of the city, while also educating residents and tourists about its many attributes.
Now, the public is invited to join in the fun and discover more online at www.fxbgotters.com!
This interpretive park signage was carefully designed to both protect and share its rich history, spanning from the prehistoric Native American presence through the Civil War to becoming a community hub in the 20th century. Six archaeological investigations were conducted before construction, revealing relics that remain intact below the ground. Visitors will be sure to learn something new and appreciate the area’s captivating history.
The Riverfront Park Task Force
The City Council identified the Riverfront Park as Priority #7 in their 2036 Vision work, and with the commitment of the Mayor and City Council, the Riverfront Park Task Force was appointed to bring the vision to life. After extensive design and engineering work, the project was put to bid for construction in 2019 and the collaborative effort of many dedicated professionals has resulted in the realization of a dream that was outlined three decades ago.
The City partnered with Rhodeside and Harwell, Athena Construction Group, Downey and Scott, Dovetail Cultural Resources Group, Mutualink, Integrated Security Technologies, and Tree Fredericksburg in bringing the project to completion. Furthermore, the City thanks the generous investments of both public and private entities that have come together to make this project a success.
Riverfront Park is open daily, from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., and for more information, please visit the Riverfront Park page or call 540-372-1086.
Riverfront Park is the embodiment of Fredericksburg’s dedication to creating a vibrant, sustainable community. The array of innovative investments from both Fredericksburg and partner organization Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation has allowed the city to develop high-quality public spaces like Riverfront Park that are sustainable, safe, and attractive. Thanks to these efforts, travelers and residents can enjoy an expansive park made up of both natural and modern features such as event spaces, interactive water features, free public Wi-Fi, and the most advanced flood sensors available. The 2023 holidays promise an even greater experience thanks to the anticipated arrival of new protected restrooms to better protect visitors from flooding. With dedicated organizations, some forward-thinking citizens, and generous financiers, the civic imagination of Fredricksburg is no longer limited by financial capability or social imagination as seen in Riverfront Park.
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