Bradenton Riverwalk facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bradenton Riverwalk |
|
|---|---|
Tower plaza with Manatee River in the background
|
|
| Location | Bradenton, Florida |
| Area | 5.0 acres (0.020 km2) |
| Designer | Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. |
| Operated by | City of Bradenton |
| Open | Year round |
| Public transit access | Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) |
The Bradenton Riverwalk, often called just the Riverwalk, is a fun outdoor park in Bradenton, Florida. It stretches for about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) along the beautiful Manatee River. This green space is a great place for people of all ages to relax and play.
The park covers about 5 acres (0.02 km²) and first opened on October 18, 2012. It has many cool features like a skatepark, a large outdoor theater with 400 seats, playgrounds, and a splash pad where you can cool off. The City of Bradenton and a group called Realize Bradenton work together to keep the Riverwalk looking great.
Contents
How the Riverwalk Started
Back in the 1960s, Bradenton made the Manatee River deeper. This process, called dredging, helped create about 50 acres (0.2 km²) of new land next to the downtown area. People called this new land "The Sand Pile" because it was made from river sand.
In the 1980s, a park called Anthony T. Rossi Waterfront Park was built on some of this land. It was also known as Waterfront Park or Rossi Park. This first park stretched from the Green Bridge to the Hernando DeSoto Bridge.
Later, in June 2010, the Bradenton Downtown Development Authority decided to make the park even better. They hired a company called Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. to design a big upgrade. Construction for the new Riverwalk began in September 2011. It officially opened to the public on October 18, 2012, becoming the popular spot we know today.
Fun Things to Do at the Riverwalk
The Bradenton Riverwalk offers many exciting activities. It goes from just west of the Green Bridge, near the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, all the way to 2nd Street East, close to Manatee Memorial Hospital.
Here are some of the cool features you can find:
- Playgrounds: Perfect for younger kids to climb and explore.
- Splash Pad: A fun water play area to beat the Florida heat.
- Picnic Lawn: A grassy area where families can enjoy outdoor meals.
- Day Dock: Boaters can stop by and tie up their boats for a visit.
- Skatepark: A special area for skateboarders and rollerbladers.
- Botanical Walk: A peaceful path where you can see different plants.
- Sand Volleyball Courts: Great for a game with friends.
- Mosaic Amphitheater: A large outdoor stage where events and concerts are held.
Art and Events
You'll also see interesting Public art pieces all along the Riverwalk. One special collection is called Postcards from the Friendly City. These are large art panels that look like postcards. They show important moments from the history of the Manatee River and the Bradenton area.
Many events happen at the Riverwalk throughout the year. Realize Bradenton works with the city to host these gatherings. Some popular events include:
- A weekly farmers' market where you can find fresh local produce.
- A seasonal "Music in the Park" series, which features live music for families.
- The annual Bradenton Blues Festival, a big music event.
- ArtSlam, where artists create art live.
These events bring over 110,000 people to downtown Bradenton every year!
Future Plans for the Riverwalk
In April 2017, the City of Bradenton hired Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. again. This time, they asked the company to plan an extension for the Riverwalk. This new section will stretch further east.
The eastern extension will connect the Riverwalk to Manatee Mineral Springs Park and Manatee Village Historical Park. The city is also working with Realize Bradenton to get ideas from the public about what they would like to see in this new part of the park.
To help with this expansion, the city bought 1.5 acres (0.006 km²) of land next to Manatee Mineral Springs Park. This land cost $700,000 and will help make sure the new Riverwalk section connects smoothly with the existing parks.
Gallery
Images for kids
-
Downtown Bradenton area in December 1970
