Rivergate Park—Sustainability at Work in the Cleveland Flats
Rivergate Park, a recreational space in the heart of Cleveland’s industrialized Flats, is on the verge of becoming a reality. The nonprofit Cleveland Rowing Foundation (CRF), has an opportunity to purchase roughly seven acres of property and transform it into a recreation destination which will preserve public access to the Cuyahoga River.
The Rivergate Park project will allow CRF to expand its current operations, and will benefit other recreational organizations, the environment and will become an economic development catalyst for the area. CRF is working with area organizations to bring bicycling, kayaking, dragon boating and canoeing to Rivergate Park. The site is strategically located to provide a nexus of activity connecting the adjacent Hart Crane Park, the future Skateboard Park, Canal Basin Park, Towpath Trail and the Lake Link Trail to Wendy Park/Whiskey Island. Development of Rivergate Park will also provide opportunities for riverside hiking, public art, fishing and bird watching.
CRF has partnered with the Trust for Public Land (TPL), a national, nonprofit land conservation organization, to bring Rivergate Park to fruition. Through its Parks for People Cleveland program, TPL is committed to ensuring that everyone enjoys access to a park, trail or green space. Bill Carroll, the Ohio State Director at TPL indicated that “the Rivergate Park is a re-imagining effort that brings parks to the people, restores a significant section of the Cuyahoga River front and enhances Cleveland’s Climate-Smart Sustainability efforts.”
The current terrain of the Rivergate site consists largely of concrete and gravel, with little vegetation. CRF will collaborate with ParkWorks to develop a comprehensive plan to add green space in an environmentally sustainable manner. Preliminary plans for the park area include adding trees, grasses and other plant life native to the banks of the Cuyahoga. Building rain gardens and bioswales will enhance the aesthetics of the property, improve water quality and reduce storm water runoff. Reclamation of this site will also enhance the habitat of migratory birds, including the Black-Crowned Night-Herons, which have been found to roost near the Rivergate Park site. Bringing more people to the area is also likely to educate and stimulate interest in the river’s health and the surrounding habitat. There is also an opportunity to incorporate sustainability principles on the site, retrofit existing structures with energy efficient solutions and incorporate green building practices for new structures.
Rivergate Park could emerge as one of the most important symbols of the rebirth of the river and the surrounding area. “The Rivergate urban park will serve as a communal backyard for the nearby residents of Tremont, Ohio City and the Warehouse District, therefore enhancing Cleveland’s livability. A more desirable urban community will attract more downtown residents, and help support a more compact, cooler, more energy efficient and less auto dependent city,” said Carroll.
The transformative power of a vibrant river-based recreational amenity like Rivergate Park, has had a catalytic effect in spurring residential and retail development, and becomes a highly desirable place to live, work and play and visit. This community and economic development impact has been proven in countless cities across the country including Pittsburgh, Milwaukee, Philadelphia and Oklahoma City. The rivers and boating organizations on them are viewed as complementary assets whose value to the city has transcended rowing.
CRF and TPL are fundraising and working on financing for the $3.2 million property. If all goes as planned, CRF will relocate operations to the Rivergate Park site as soon as this fall.
For more information or to donate to the campaign, visit www.clevelandrows.org/rivergate_park.php.