Jacksonville Riverwalks facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jacksonville Riverwalks |
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A section of Jacksonville's Riverwalk along the St. Johns River and Jacksonville Landing
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| Location | Jacksonville, Florida |
| Established | 1985 |
| Open | Year round |
| Website | |
The Jacksonville Riverwalks are special paths and open areas along the St. Johns River in Jacksonville, Florida. These paths are great for walking, running, and enjoying the views.
There are two main parts to the Riverwalks. The Northbank Riverwalk is about 2 miles (3.2 km) long. It runs past famous spots like the Jacksonville Landing and the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts. The Southbank Riverwalk is about 1.25 miles (2 km) long. It connects cool places such as Friendship Fountain and the Museum of Science and History.
Contents
A Walk Through Time: The Riverwalk's Story
The very first part of the Riverwalk opened on November 8, 1985. This was the Southbank section. The idea was to create a beautiful place for both locals and visitors. They wanted everyone to enjoy the river and the city skyline.
On a sunny day, you can see sparkling water, tall buildings, and boats. The 1.2-mile (1.9 km) path was designed to be a fun public space. It connected Friendship Fountain with hotels and offices. Friendship Fountain itself was built in 1965. It quickly became one of Jacksonville's most famous landmarks.
Big Ideas and What Was Built
The original plans for the Riverwalk were very ambitious. For example, there was a plan for a market over the river called the St. Johns Wharf. Some shops were built, but the big market never happened.
They also planned four open-air pavilions with food and restrooms. Only two of these were actually built. A ship museum was also planned to show the city's history with the river. This idea became the Jacksonville Maritime Museum, which is now closed.
Many other exciting projects were imagined but not built. These included a grassy seating area, a pyramid structure for events, and even an aquarium. There were also ideas for a large lawn, a cafe under a bridge, and a big outdoor theater.
Growing and Improving the Riverwalk
In January 2005, a new part of the Northbank Riverwalk opened. This project took almost two years to build and cost $8.7 million. This 1.5-mile (2.4 km) section connected the existing Riverwalk to Riverside Avenue. It added historical lights, water fountains, and over 100 benches.
Around 2006, a small part of the Riverwalk had to close because of damage. Steel parts holding up the walkway started to fail. The city spent money to fix this and inspect the whole Riverwalk. They planned a big project to upgrade both Riverwalks, costing about $25 million.
In 2008, there were plans for a large dock area called The South Shore Marina. This would have included a new section of the Southbank Riverwalk. Permits were approved, but the project was put on hold due to money issues.
Also in 2008, the City of Jacksonville and Fidelity National Financial traded some land. This added 1.3 acres (0.5 ha) to the Riverwalk area.
Fun at the Riverwalk Today
The Riverside Arts Market started in 2008. It's located under the Fuller Warren Bridge, near the Northbank Riverwalk. It's open on Saturdays from March to December. You can find arts, crafts, food, and live music there. It's a very family-friendly place!
In 2009, a small part of the Northbank Riverwalk collapsed due to erosion. Another section also had problems with loose bricks. Repairs were quickly made before the big July 4th celebration.
In 2010, city leaders approved a plan to replace parts of the Southbank Riverwalk. They wanted to use stronger materials that would last longer. This project cost $11.9 million and included new lighting and railings.
As of late 2011, the Northbank Riverwalk stretched from the Fuller Warren Bridge to the former Shipyards area. There are plans to make it even longer, extending it west to Memorial Park and east to Metropolitan Park. You can find free parking under the Fuller Warren Bridge.
The Landing is a central spot on the Northbank Riverwalk. In 2002, a statue called The Runner was placed on the Riverwalk. It shows a sprinting man and was a gift from the Jacksonville Track Club.
Gallery
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The Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts, located along the Riverwalk.
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A section of the Riverwalk in the Brooklyn area.
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The Chart House Restaurant along the Southbank Riverwalk.
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Buildings located next to the Northbank Riverwalk.
