And RiverScape would offer more interactive experiences and would be part of a downtown park loop.
RELATED: Dayton’s riverfront: Bold ideas include rockscape beach plaza
Here’s some of the key details of the riverfront master plan, which are being shared with the public today at noon and 6 p.m. at the downtown Dayton Metro Library.
RiverScape MetroPark
The big moves for RiverScape include:
- Create a pedestrian bridge connection that uses the existing Riverside Drive bridge abutments to link to McPherson Town neighborhood.
- Maintain a central plaza to use as flexible space for festival events.
- Remove the fire department building at Monument and Main streets to create park space and re-purpose communications building to use for a riverfront restaurant with outdoor dining.
- Reconfigure Monument Avenue.
Other improvements could include a reconfigured plaza at Patterson Boulevard and Monument Avenue; enhanced roadway crossings at North Main and Monument Avenue; terraced seating at both the north and south ends of River Run; a new boat rental facility; nature play space along the water front and other park enhancements on the north side of the river.
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Island MetroPark
Some big proposals for Island MetroPark include:
- Extend the island south to increase nesting habitat and create a retaining wall for a paddling pass through at the dam.
- Convert the East Helena Street to a pedestrian-friendly, at-grade crossing with traffic calming features to create an idyllic park drive.
- Create a new backwater creek that snakes through the park.
- Connect bike path to Kettering promenade with a pedestrian bridge and habitat overlook.
- Expand East Helena Street culvert to create a padding pass through.
Other ideas include renovating the band shell, offering a pedestrian bridge and a new nature play area.
RELATED: Beer garden, new crossings and more: Big ideas for Dayton’s riverfront
Deeds Point MetroPark
Deeds Point could be in store for some big changes. Here’s a few of the most bold ideas for the park:
- Construct new sun deck at the point, with waterproof covered seating facing the fountain in the river.
- Create a rockscape beach plaza with boulders at top of levee and cafe seating that can be moved.
- Expand green space for flexible programming
- New connections with future commercial and residential development.
Other ideas for the park include offering a hammock garden and slacklining opportunities and a new "adventure" playscape. Parking could be configured, and rain gardens could be added.
Sunrise MetroPark and Sunset park
The master plan has a lot to say about these parks, located across from each other on the Great Miami River. Here’s some of the big ideas:
- Create a new "iconic" pedestrian bridge linking the east and west sides of river, while offering a new vantage point for the park system.
- Expand McIntosh Park to the riverfront by closing Negley Place road to vehicular traffic to Orth Avenue.
- Expand art terrace along riverfront in front of Dayton Art Institute, beginning the art walk and remove existing tennis courts.
- Improve the experience under the Interstate-75 overpass, including rotating art pieces, lighting installations, interactive features and music.
- Make North Sunset Park a "highly programmed hub" of play spaces and recreation opportunities.
Other projects could include a play space, forest terrace, sculpture terrace and boulder terrace and water runnel feature. Other additions could be a river meadow, loop trail and new benches and river platforms. The plan proposes a pedestrian bridge entry plaza, greeting pedestrians with sculptures, gardens and food trucks.
Wesleyan MetroPark
Proposals for this park, located along the Wolf Creek, include:
- Create a wild nature trail on the west side of the creek, leading to high point observation structure.
- Create a mountain bike skills trail
- Expand trail towards Trotwood and create natural surface trails along the paved trail for creek access and nature exploration.
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