Southbank Partners joined community members, elected officials, and project partners on Monday to celebrate the groundbreaking of General James Taylor Park and Phase 6 of The Riverwalk at Riverfront Commons, marking a major milestone in the riverfront district connecting eight Northern Kentucky river cities.
Located at 100 Riverboat Row, the park will feature expanded green space, pickleball courts, a dog park, a performance plaza, a kayak launch, a brand-new scenic overlook, and the latest phase of The Riverwalk. This new section will extend along the Licking River, connecting to The Levee Trail, Ovation by Corporex, and the Fourth Street Bridge, creating new opportunities for recreation, tourism, and economic growth.
Both General James Taylor Park and The Riverwalk are part of the larger Riverfront Commons project, a regional effort led by Southbank Partners to create a riverfront district by linking communities along the river in Northern Kentucky through vibrant public spaces, including a continuous scenic riverwalk, parks, downtown businesses, and historic neighborhoods.
“Phase 6 will continue to extend this active transportation system along the riverfront and bring us one step closer to realizing a continuous 20-mile Riverwalk that will strengthen our economy, our neighborhoods, and our shared identity of the riverfront district, The Front Porch of the South™,” said Will Weber, president and CEO of Southbank Partners. “General James Taylor Park has a rich history in our region, and this redevelopment will once again strengthen the public connection to the riverfront through outdoor recreation. A world-class riverfront is taking shape in Northern Kentucky, and today we are excited to see this generational project in Newport come to life.”
Phase 6 of The Riverwalk builds on years of planning and collaboration, designed to promote active transportation, improve quality of life, and continue attracting the talented workforce of tomorrow to Riverfront Commons, Northern Kentucky’s Riverfront District, as one world-class active destination.
“Today’s groundbreaking represents years of collaboration and a shared commitment,” said Newport City Manager John Hayden. “General James Taylor Park has long been one of Newport’s most important public spaces, and this investment will transform it into a destination that better connects residents and visitors to our riverfront.”
“A great riverfront isn’t just about what you build. It’s about the green space that connects it to the community,” noted Andrew Vecellio, vice president of Development at Corporex. “Ovation has always been part of the fabric of Newport, and updating James Taylor Park strengthens that connection, giving residents, guests, and neighbors a shared space to gather, relax, and enjoy the riverfront. We’re proud to help bring this vision to life alongside the City of Newport.”
Southbank Partners