Staff report
City of Newport will break ground on the new General James Taylor Park on Monday at 10 a.m. at 100 Riverboat Row.
The community celebration marks the beginning of a $7.5 million riverfront park project, a transformational investment in the city’s riverfront.
Mayor Tom Guidugli Jr., City Manager John Hayden, members of the Newport Board of Commissioners, development partners and community leaders will participate in the ceremony. Members of the parks committee will also be in attendance.
The $7.5 million General James Taylor Park project represents one of the most significant investments in Newport’s riverfront in decades.
Funded through a state appropriation, the redesigned park was shaped through months of community engagement through the Newport Parks committee, involving residents and local stakeholders to ensure the final design reflects the community’s vision.
The park will hold Phase 6 of The Riverwalk, which will extend the paved path through the park, along the Licking River connecting to The Levee Trail, Ovation by Corporex, and the 4th Street Bridge. Both General James Taylor Park and The Riverwalk are part of the larger Riverfront Commons project.
The new park will also feature expanded green space, walking and biking paths, pickleball courts, a dog park, a performance plaza, a kayak launch, and a brand new scenic overlook.
Together with improvements planned for adjacent Festival Park, the project will transform Newport’s riverfront into a vibrant destination for recreation, events and community gatherings.