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Parks and Recreation

Riverfront Park Redesign

PlanningOpen for feedback

A new park along the Great Miami River with trails, play, gathering space, and restored river edge.

Riverfront Park is 18 acres along the Great Miami River, just west of Downtown. The existing playground and parking lot date to the 1980s. Flooding, worn equipment, and a disconnected trail have limited how families use the park. The City is redesigning the park with three goals: restore the river edge, connect the regional trail, and create a park that works for toddlers, teens, and older adults. This round of engagement asks residents to share ideas, vote on program priorities, and mark where they want shade, seating, and play.

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Timeline

Where this project stands

Citywide timeline

  1. May 18, 2026

    Flood and site study

    Complete

  2. Aug 16, 2026

    Idea collection

    Now

  3. Oct 25, 2026

    Draft master plan

    Upcoming

Closed loop

You said. We did.

You said

71% supported relocating parking

71% supported moving parking inland if trail access and a drop-off were kept.

We did

Parking will move to the existing overflow field. A 10-minute drop-off remains at the trailhead.

Why. The flood study found the current lot is in the floodway. Relocating it is required for restoration funding and reduces closures after high water.

Quick poll

If Riverfront Park could do one thing exceptionally well, what should it be?

You can choose one. Results are visible as you vote.

214 votes so far. Results update as people vote.

Idea board

What should this include?

A fishing platform that kids can use

Maya ThompsonRiver access

A low, safe platform with railings so grandparents can fish with kids without standing on the muddy bank.

Shade sails over the playground

Luis OrtegaPlay

The current playground has almost no shade after 11 a.m. Sails or a grove of trees would make summer usable.

A quiet loop for walking meetings

Ruth NguyenTrails

A 1/4-mile smooth loop with benches, separate from the playground noise, for older adults.

City response. This is consistent with the trail connection goal. We will include a measured loop in the draft plan.

Keep the view of the water from the lawn

Chris PatelDesign

Please do not plant a solid hedge along the river. The open view is why people come.

Restrooms that are actually open

AnonymousFacilities

Portable toilets are not enough for a park this size. Year-round restrooms matter as much as the playground.

Submit an idea

Location

Riverfront Park

800 River Road, Franklin, OH

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Questions

Ask the project team

Meetings

  • Riverfront Park design drop-in

    Thu, Aug 20, 2026, 10:00 AM · Riverfront Park trailhead, 800 River Road

Updates

  • August 4, 2026 · Priya Nair

    Riverbank parking will move inland

    The flood study is complete. The existing 60-space lot along the river will be relocated. That decision is not being revisited; we are now asking how to use the recovered river edge.

Documents

  • Riverfront flood and site study

    Floodway, parking, and restoration constraints.

    pdf

FAQs

Will the playground close?

The existing playground will remain until a replacement is funded and built. We will not leave a gap without play equipment.

Gallery

Project team

  • Priya NairParks director
  • Chris LangLandscape architect

Budget

$6,800,000

Parks levy, Clean Ohio, and private donations