Dayton Riverfront Plan

Fall 2021 Progress Report

Oct 19, 2021

The vibrant redevelopment of downtown is spilling up, down and over our rivers to Dayton’s neighborhoods along all points of the compass. The Dayton Riverfront Plan continues to spur this evolution: The Gem City Market has opened; proposals for redevelopment abound...

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About the Plan

The Stillwater River. Wolf Creek. Mad River. The Great Miami River. How many cities can boast that four waterways traverse their downtown? Dayton’s rivers and creeks are the lifeblood of the region, linking neighborhoods, lending a dramatic backdrop for downtown events, and drawing people into the river for outdoor recreation activities. From paddling amid the natural surroundings of Mad and Stillwater Rivers to attending a concert at RiverScape MetroPark, downtown Dayton’s riverfronts today offer an extraordinary benefit to the community; one that is not yet fully realized. Building on decades of efforts to ensure protection of the city from flooding; strong momentum in the local economy, and new recreation projects to activate the water, this is the moment to put the forgotten areas of Dayton’s riverfronts back on the map.

The Plan was created from a partnership-driven revitalization effort that brought together Five Rivers MetroParks, Miami Conservancy District, the City of Dayton, Montgomery County, Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission, the Downtown Dayton Partnership, and the Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority (RTA). Additional funding support was provided by The Dayton Foundation and the Montgomery County Land Bank.

Partners

  • City of Dayton
  • Five Rivers MetroParks
  • Miami Conservancy District
  • CityWide Development Corporation
  • Downtown Dayton Partnership
  • Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority
  • Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission
  • Montgomery County
  • Montgomery County Land Bank

Keep up with our progress

Tour a map of the Plan’s study area to see what projects have been completed, what projects are being implemented, and what projects are being planned right now.

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News

Winter 2022 Progress Report

Dec 15, 2022 | ,

The vibrant redevelopment of downtown is spilling up, down, and over our rivers to Dayton’s neighborhoods along all points of the compass. The Dayton Riverfront Plan continues to spur on this evolution. Below is the long list of the Plan’s projects that have been...

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Waterway access through safer roads

Oct 24, 2022 |

Back in May, we wrote about how the 1911 Olmstead Brothers plan for Dayton imagined bucolic parkways along the rivers. The intent was to connect people to our waterways, but one hundred years later those parkways have turned into high speed, divided roadways. These...

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Our Goals

Economic Engine

Leverage the rivers to catalyze development in greater downtown and ensure long-term vitality of the region.

Something for Everyone

Provide more diverse programs and experiences, and ensure their equitable distribution across the riverfront.

Heart of Dayton

Enhance Dayton’s identity through placemaking that celebrates the historic legacy, cultural heritage, and vibrant future of its rivers.

Healthy City

Build in places and programs that support health, safety, and wellness for all who live, learn, work, and play along the riverfront.

Take me to the River

Improve access through physical connections to and across the riverfront and to the surrounding community

Living Protection

Promote the ecological health of the riverfront while continuing to protect from
flooding.

The Plan

Guided by input from partners, stakeholders, and the public over a year-long process, the Dayton Riverfront Plan evolved to a roadmap for making our rivers exciting assets and destinations.
Download Plan (PDF)
> Plan Recommendations (map)
> Focal Park Recommendations (map)