Waterfront Park

The City is teaming up with the Port of Ridgefield to create a vibrant waterfront park along Lake River at the Ridgefield Waterfront. Before breaking ground, we're crafting a comprehensive Master Plan that considers community needs, wants, and the site's logistical constraints.

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Project Background

It has long been the vision of both the City and the Port of Ridgefield to have a community waterfront park to not only be a space for great recreation, but also to create the economic vitality that is essential for the growth of our city. In recognition of this shared interest, the Port and the City have entered a 50/50 partnership to build a waterfront park.

After a lengthy public outreach process, the Port of Ridgefield has developed and adopted a comprehensive and visionary business plan for the rebuilding of the Ridgefield Waterfront. This plan provides guidance for how the Port will move the property forward in the months and years to come. The Ridgefield Waterfront Business Plan may be accessed on the Port's website.

The City of Ridgefield has also had long visions for the Ridgefield Waterfront. The development of a space that meets the community’s needs, character, and aspirations is paramount. The outcome of this process needs to be supportive of downtown economic vitality, connected and complementary to nearby Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, and reflective of the community's history and heritage. In the end, the city and port hope to have a Master Plan that all residents can be proud of.

The final boundaries of the Waterfront Park will be determined by the current property owner, the Port of Ridgefield, and the City of Ridgefield. While currently undetermined, the location is likely to include the shoreline along Lake River, the Port’s existing public waterfront trail, and the lands west of it. The maps provided below are not indicative of the final park boundaries

The Master Plan process will include

• Identification of the City and Port vision for the Waterfront Park's identity, theme, and purpose
• Stakeholder engagement and feedback
• Potential capital facilities concept designs and rough cost estimates
• Priority, Discouraged, and Prohibited Uses
• Day-to-day management of the site recommendations.

The result will be a high-level master planning document to be used as a guide for ongoing management and development of the park.

The project boundary, park layout, and location have yet to be determined. The Master Plan will help clarify this but the final authority rests with City Council and Port Commission.

Next Steps

Using City Council, Port Commission, and community feedback the project team will narrow down a Preliminary Preferred Concept. This concept will be brought to Council, Commission and community for feedback. Community feedback will be collected during a Community Meeting on May 16, through online survey, and at Big Paddle on June 1.

Subscribe to project updates now to receive email notifications along the Master Plan process.

The project boundary, park layout, and location have yet to be determined. The Master Plan will help clarify this but the final authority rests with City Council and Port Commission.