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Update No. 11 | June 19, 2025 |
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Here's the latest: the Reimagined Riverwalk is officially open for strolling — marking a major milestone in the transformation of DowntownFTL’s signature gathering space. And there’s even more progress happening behind the scenes!
What's happening:
- Riverwalk Reimagined is now open to pedestrians — come take a walk and see what’s taking shape!
- The new bathroom building is rising quickly, with roof installation beginning this month.
- Site work continues throughout the park, including grading, underground utilities, and the discovery of some old Riverwalk remnants!
Stay in the Loop: There are several ways for you to follow along on our journey.
Check out some other exciting Huizenga Park news below – a 4 min read.
| | Riverwalk Reimagined's First Stroll | | |
We’re thrilled to share a major milestone in the transformation of Huizenga Park — the very first walk along the Reimagined Riverwalk!
While this special preview was reserved for the generous donors and project partners who have helped bring this vision to life, the energy and momentum are something everyone can celebrate. The Riverwalk is officially open to pedestrians, and we’re just getting started!
During the celebration, Steve Hudson, Chairman of the Huizenga Park Foundation, reflected on the history and impact of this project:
“The idea for Fort Lauderdale’s Riverwalk dates back nearly 100 years. In 1986, voters approved funding that led to the first section opening in 1990. What we’re doing today with Huizenga Park is arguably the largest public investment in the Riverwalk since it was first built.”
“This project represents a new kind of collaboration — a public-private-philanthropic partnership, or P4. With nearly $6 million raised from private donors and another $6 million in public funding from the State of Florida and the City of Fort Lauderdale, this is a true community-driven effort.”
We’re beyond grateful to everyone who’s helped make this dream a reality — and we can’t wait to celebrate the grand reopening of the park with the entire community at the end of the year. Stay tuned — the best is yet to come!
| | Transformation in the Making | Huizenga Park as of June 17, 2025 | Huizenga Park’s exciting future is coming together, one step at a time. As we look ahead to the improvements coming to the reimagined Huizenga Park, here's where the construction team is at: | |
Riverwalk Reimagined is open for strolling!
- While the full transformation isn’t quite finished, the Riverwalk Reimagined is now open for pedestrians to explore and enjoy!
- We’re still putting on the finishing touches — with new light fixtures, benches, trash and recycling bins, and other custom features on the way.
- Fun fact: We’re installing specially designed benches in the River Terrace area. They’re being handcrafted off-site and take nearly five months to build!
| View looking east on the reopened Riverwalk Reimagined. | View from above of the future River Terrace, coming soon! | |
Huizenga Park's new features are taking shape.
- The new bathroom building shell is almost fully built — with the roof installation kicking off this month.
- Over by the River Landing, construction on the elevated deck is moving forward now that the temporary sidewalk has been cleared. The foundation is already in place, so you’ll see the deck start to rise soon!
- Under the Andrews Avenue bridge, upgrades continue with new pavers stretching even farther north and brand-new fencing on the way.
| Huizenga Park's bathroom building shell is nearly complete, with roof structure coming soon. | River Landing deck construction in progress. | | |
Progress continues beneath the surface at Huizenga Park.
- Construction crews are hard at work preparing the park for its next chapter. Near the future play mounds, they’ve uncovered and removed old underground infrastructure — including more pieces of the original Riverwalk discovered just this week!
- Grading is now underway, with parts of the park being raised by nearly four feet to support the exciting new design.
- Next up: new electrical and water systems will be installed to power the park's features and keep everything flowing smoothly underground.
| Concrete debris waiting to be hauled away after the removal of the temporary sidewalk along Riverwalk. | | Construction team working on grading the park site, elevating some areas nearly 4 feet. | | Views from above looking down at Riverwalk Reimagined. | |
Here's what's next: Big changes are just around the corner! Underground utility work inside Huizenga Park is nearly complete, which means the exciting above-ground features we have all been waiting for will start taking shape soon. The bathroom building shell and the River Landing deck are well on their way.
Traffic and Access Updates:
- One eastbound lane on Las Olas Boulevard will remain closed between Andrews Avenue and SE 1st Avenue to allow construction trucks safe access into the park — helping reduce traffic impacts on SE 1st Avenue.
- Heads up for pedestrians: In July, there will be a temporary detour on the west side of the Andrews Avenue bridge as crews complete concrete and paver installation beneath the bridge.
| | Riverwalk Reimagined Fun Facts | | | | |
The revitalized Riverwalk is blooming with new life! Here's a look at the transformation by the numbers:
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2x as many Riverwalk bricks
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249 etched bricks reinstalled
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250 years — the age of our iconic Bicentennial Liberty Oak Tree
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315+ new plants and shrubs installed on Riverwalk
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25 new canopy trees and palms installed on Riverwalk
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200+ daily pedestrians (plus 75+ dogs loving the walk!)
The Riverwalk is greener, livelier, and more welcoming than ever. Come experience the change with us!
| | Project history and timeline | |
After years of planning and design, Huizenga Park will undergo a complete renovation that kicked off in August 2024. Construction is expected to take just over a year to complete, reopening by the end of 2025.
Big Vision: Huizenga Park will become Downtown Fort Lauderdale’s signature gathering place, exquisitely designed, activated, safe and comfortable. A space for everyone, to be used from morning through the evening, and every day of the year. A series of uniquely designed outdoor rooms will set Huizenga Park apart from traditional parks, offering opportunities for leisure, dining, physical activity, events, and meet-ups. A reimagined Huizenga Park will set the new standard for urban parks in Fort Lauderdale.
| | About the Huizenga Park Foundation | | The Huizenga Park Foundation is a nonprofit established in 2022 to promote, advance, foster and support the reimagining of Huizenga Park. | | | |
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