Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park |
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Playground area and kiosk
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| Location | Tampa, Florida |
| Area | 8 acres (3.2 ha) |
| Open | Year round |
Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park is a fantastic public park in Tampa, Florida. It's about 8 acres big, which is like 6 football fields! The park sits right next to the Hillsborough River in downtown Tampa. It opened in its current awesome design in 2010.
You'll find it right next to the Tampa Riverwalk, the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, the Tampa Museum of Art, and the Glazer Children's Museum. From the park, you can even see the University of Tampa's beautiful Plant Hall across the river. This whole area is often called the Waterfront Arts District because there are so many creative places nearby!
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What Makes Curtis Hixon Park Special?
Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park has a big, open grassy area. This lawn gently slopes down towards the river. It's like a series of wide steps made of grass!
Fun Things to Do and See
Around the grassy area, you'll find lots of cool features. There are several fountains where you can splash and play. A large playground is perfect for kids to explore. There's also a public boat dock if you want to arrive by water.
Dog lovers will be happy to know there's a special dog park. You can relax in shaded pavilions or watch a show at the amphitheater. The park also has interesting sculptures and a beautiful garden designed by Dan Kiley. A small snack kiosk with restrooms is available for when you need a break.
Where is the Park Located?
The park is surrounded by exciting places. The Tampa Museum of Art and the Glazer Children's Museum are to the north. Ashley Drive borders the park on the east. To the south, you'll see the Rivergate Tower and a parking garage.
On the west side of the park is the Hillsborough River. This is also where you'll find the Tampa Riverwalk.
Explore the Tampa Riverwalk
The Tampa Riverwalk is a 2.4-mile-long path. It connects Curtis Hixon Park to many other attractions. You can walk or bike to places like the Tampa Convention Center and the Straz Center for the Performing Arts. There are also many hotels, restaurants, and smaller parks along Tampa's downtown waterfront.
Events and Activities at the Park
Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park is always buzzing with activity! It hosts many different events throughout the year. You can enjoy concerts and music festivals here. There are also food festivals, arts and crafts shows, and even evening yoga classes. Sometimes, they even have temporary ice skating!
This park has quickly become a favorite spot for locals. Many people call it "Tampa's town square" because it's such a central and popular gathering place.
The History of Curtis Hixon Park
The park is named after Curtis Hixon. He was a mayor of Tampa who passed away in 1956 while still in office.
From Hall to Park
The park is right next to where the old Curtis Hixon Hall used to be. This hall was Tampa's first big convention center. It was built in 1965. After newer buildings were made, the old hall was taken down in 1993.
A smaller park was first built on that spot. However, it wasn't used much. It was hard to get to from the river and other parts of downtown. There also weren't many fun things to do nearby, especially on evenings and weekends.
A New Beginning for the Park
In the early 2000s, the big plan for the Tampa Riverwalk started to come true. The city removed the old Tampa Museum of Art building and its parking garage. These buildings had blocked the park from the river.
A brand new art museum and the Glazer Children's Museum were built on the north side of the park. The old park was made much bigger towards the south. A famous landscape architect named Thomas Balsley completely redesigned it. This new design allowed for amazing open views from Ashley Boulevard all the way to the Hillsborough River and the University of Tampa beyond. The park, as we know it today, officially opened in 2010.
