Tampa Riverwalk

The Tampa Riverwalk is a 2.6-mile-long (4.2 km) open space and pedestrian trail along the Hillsborough River in Tampa, Florida. It runs along most of the downtown Tampa waterfront from the Channelside District to the mouth of the Hillsborough River and then north to Tampa Heights. This path connects many parks, attractions, public spaces, and hotels.

Notable spots along the Riverwalk include the Tampa Bay History Center, Benchmark International Arena, the Tampa Convention Center, Rivergate Tower, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, Water Works Park, and the Waterfront Arts District. The arts district features the Tampa Museum of Art, Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, Glazer Children's Museum, and the Straz Center for the Performing Arts.

The Riverwalk is also a place for community events. Festivals often happen at Curtis Hixon Park, and during the Gasparilla Pirate Festival, a "pirate ship" called Jose Gasparilla moors at the Riverwalk behind the Convention Center. The city created the Riverwalk to make Tampa look beautiful and unique, showing off the waterfront.

Origin and description

Tampa's Riverwalk started in the 1970s when the downtown area had old warehouses and industrial buildings near the Port of Tampa. Then-mayor Bill Poe wanted to create a park and walkway behind Curtis Hixon Hall, a public building by the river. The city built a small boardwalk, but work stopped because of money issues and lack of interest from later mayors.

Interest in the Riverwalk grew in the mid-1980s. Over the next ten years, new buildings like the Tampa Convention Center, Benchmark International Arena, and the Florida Aquarium were built along the waterfront. In 2002, mayor Pam Iorio promised to finish the Riverwalk if elected, and she was successful. Construction began on parks and paths, with money from the city, donations, and government grants. Major parts opened in 2010, including Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, the Tampa Museum of Art, and the Glazer Children's Museum. Under mayor Bob Buckhorn, the Riverwalk grew longer. By 2016, it reached 2.6 miles (4.2 km), ending at Waterworks Park in Tampa Heights.

Today, the Riverwalk is a popular place for people to walk, with bike and motorized scooter rentals along the path. A water taxi connects the Riverwalk to areas like Hyde Park, West Tampa, Harbour Island, and Davis Islands. The TECO Line Streetcar also runs nearby, linking to downtown and Ybor City.

Future plans

In 2022, the city shared ideas to build new parts of the Riverwalk on the west side of the Hillsborough River, opposite the current path. This new section would go north into the West Tampa neighborhood and connect to a "Green Spine" of paths for walking and biking, called greenways, that go far from the river. This would add about 6 more miles to the whole project, making a big loop.

Public art

The city of Tampa has added colorful lights along parts of the Riverwalk. These special lights change color and are used for special events, like school graduations and sports games.

In 2012, six bronze statues of important people from Tampa’s history were placed along the Riverwalk. More statues have been added each year. By 2022, thirty important figures were honored, including leaders, doctors, teachers, and community helpers who made a big difference in Tampa.

In 2016, a special mural called “Woven Waves” was placed under the Laurel Street Bridge. This art piece shows patterns inspired by the river and Tampa’s many cultures.