The Tampa Riverwalk has been a favorite of state residents and news publications, and now Mayor Jane Castor has big updates for the site.
Castor recently announced plans to expand the riverwalk for 5 additional miles, which would make the total length of the path 12 miles. This is thanks in part to a $24 million grant that the U.S. Department of Transportation provided in the Fall of 2020, as well as additional funding secured by Representative Kathy Castor. (She is not related to Jane Castor.)
With these funds, Mayor Castor plans to provide to residents safer routes, such as improved sidewalks and bike lanes, and also wants to connect the riverwalk to more areas such as Hyde Park, Tampa Heights, Riverside Sights, and many more.
This all comes after USA Today called it the second best riverwalk in the United States, behind the Detroit International Riverwalk in Michigan. The publication praised the walk for the variety of unique tourist attractions hosted near the area, saying that it “serves as a central spot for performances, art, leisure and fitness activities.”
Tampa residents love the riverwalk as well. Frequent visitor Delany Barnard had similar things to say about the walk that USA Today did.
“I think people love it because there is a lot to do, you can go to Armature Works, or you can walk all the way down to Sparkman,” Barnard said.
She felt that the coming expansion would attract even more people to the area, stating, “A lot of people are moving to Tampa, its a growing city. I just think it will be another positive thing and a reason why people want to move here and come visit.”
The project is set to be completed by 2027.
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