The Ridgefield City Council will review the proposed concept for a new waterfront park this week, with a final review and approval set for later this month.
The city and Port of Ridgefield are jointly collaborating to develop an existing park property spanning roughly 8 acres along Lake River west of downtown. The area currently features a trail overlooking the waterfront and a canoe boat launch. The city and port have conducted various community engagement meetings and online surveys to understand the community’s desires for a waterfront park. A proposed concept based on community engagement was presented to the port and Ridgefield Planning Commission in August. Port of Ridgefield CEO Randy Mueller said the concept shown reflects the community’s expectations thus far.
“I think the consultants really did a great job of listening to the public and all the different stakeholder groups about what kinds of things they’d want in a park,” Mueller said. “We’re definitely learning from them, as far as things that work and don’t work on different waterfronts and the possibilities for the Ridgefield waterfront.”
Once a plan is approved, the final design may change as the city and port secure funding and finalize design details. The master plan provides the framework for the project.
The proposed concept
The preferred design divides the park into two zones: a “passive zone” for walking and an “active zone” for recreational activities. Both zones include a restroom building to ensure easy access.
The “active zone,” which would be located near Division Street and the boat launch, includes an event space that could feature either an open lawn or a community stage. The concept would add a pavilion, boat lockers and outdoor showers north of the event space. A new canoe launch with a boat slide will make canoeing accessible to those with disabilities. Other features would include a playground and a potential beach area. A shared parking area will be located directly north of this zone and south of Division Street.
The “passive zone,” designed for relaxation, would feature walking paths connecting to several Lake River viewpoints. These pathways would wind around a lawn area suitable for picnics and games. Included in the outline are designated spots for art installations. The park would maintain its existing trail connection to Carty Lake, north of the park. Mueller explained keeping these zones in their prospective areas was important to Ridgefield residents.
“There was a preference expressed by a lot of folks ... that keeping the active spaces farther south was perfect for a number of reasons,” Mueller explained. “One was keeping events farther away from Carty Lake and potential impacts to the wildlife refuge. The other was making events closer to downtown so you didn’t have to walk so far.”
Adjustments and future development
The preferred concept slightly shifts the boundary between the co-owned park land and port-owned property, allowing for an event space closer to downtown. If approved, the port would gain land to the north while the park expands in the southern section for event space. During a Wednesday, Sept. 4, Planning Commission presentation, Ridgefield Parks Manager Corey Crownhart said an event space closer to downtown and further from Carty Lake is preferred by residents.
The port commission will soon consider development options for its 26.2-acre property east of the park land, with potential plans for commercial or retail facilities. Mueller believes that the park’s amenities — such as accessible kayak launches and additional restrooms — will enhance the waterfront’s appeal.
“The real attraction of the Ridgefield Waterfront is Lake River and the wildlife refuge, and those are already there,” Mueller said. “In that respect, the attraction is already there, the waterfront park really just improves, enhances [and] makes more accessible that natural gem that people are coming here for … Any future developments on the waterfront developable areas of the port property will need to coexist and work well with that waterfront park and they’ll both be designed to integrate with each other.”
Both the port and the city plan to apply for grants to support the park’s construction once a master plan is approved. Mueller noted that the park will likely be built in phases as the port and city obtain grants for different Waterfront Park amenities.
“It may be very incremental as opposed to coming in and in one fell swoop and just cutting a big multimillion dollar check to build a brand new waterfront park from the ground up,” he noted.
The City Council will discuss the matter at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 12.
