Chattahoochee RiverWalk facts for kids
The Chattahoochee RiverWalk is a fantastic 22-mile path for walking and biking. It stretches along the beautiful Chattahoochee River in Columbus, Georgia, United States. The path is smooth, made of asphalt, concrete, or brick. Because of this great bike path, Columbus is known as one of the best cities for biking in the U.S.
History of the RiverWalk
Work on the Chattahoochee RiverWalk began in 1989. The first part of the path opened on October 12, 1992. This date is also Columbus Day. A statue of Christopher Columbus was placed near the Dillingham Street bridge.
Later, the RiverWalk grew even longer. It stretched from the Columbus Convention and Trade Center in Downtown to Oxbow Meadows in South Columbus. The path also reached the Infantry Center at Fort Benning.
More sections were added over time. One part connected the TSYS building to the old Bibb Mill. Another section went from the Bibb Mill all the way to the Lake Oliver Dam. In 2009, work started to connect the 14th Street bridge to the Eagle & Phenix Dam. This part opened in early 2011.
Exploring the Path
The RiverWalk starts in North Columbus at Lake Oliver. It goes south for twenty-two miles to Fort Benning. The path is divided into three main areas:
- The first area runs from the Lake Oliver Dam to the North Highlands Dam.
- The second section begins south of the North Highlands Dam. You can get to it from First Avenue. It ends at the Fourteenth Street Pedestrian Bridge and TSYS.
- The third section runs from the Eagle & Phenix Dam to Fort Benning.
Work is still happening to connect the second and third sections. This will make the path even more continuous.
There are eleven special spots where you can get onto the RiverWalk. These access points make it easy for everyone to enjoy the path. You can even go all the way from Lake Oliver Marina to Fort Benning. The RiverWalk also connects to the Phenix City RiverWalk at the 14th Street Bridge. The Phenix City RiverWalk is on the Alabama side of the Chattahoochee River.
Cool Sights Along the Way
There are many interesting places to see along the RiverWalk. You can find the site of the Battle of Columbus, Georgia. You will also see the Total System Services building and the old Bibb Manufacturing Company.
Other cool spots include the National Infantry Museum and the National Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbus. You can also see Golden Park baseball stadium. The Oxbow Meadows Learning Center and Oxbow Creek Golf Course are also nearby.
South of the Columbus Civic Center, you might see signs warning about alligators. This area is a natural home for them. So, it's important to be aware of your surroundings.
The City of Columbus Visitor Center has a fun activity called a GeoTour. It's like a treasure hunt using GPS! The GeoTour has 31 special spots along the RiverWalk. Each spot teaches you something new about the city's history.
Map
Gallery
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The RiverWalk begins just off of River Road at the Lake Oliver Dam.
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A boat being unloaded at Rotary Park
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Columbus in the 19th century. The bridge to the left was the Upper Bridge (now the 14th Street Pedestrian Bridge) and the bridge to the right was the Lower Bridge (now the Dillingham Street Bridge).
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14th Street Bridge from Phenix City RiverWalk. The bridge now stands where the Upper Bridge once stood.
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Section of the RiverWalk just south of the North Highlands Dam, which can be seen in the background.
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The RiverWalk from the North Highlands Dam area.
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Eagle and Phenix Dam from Bay Street in front of Synovous.
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South view of the RiverWalk. Picture taken on Bay Street at Synovous.
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The newest addition of the Chattahoochee RiverWalk.
