About the Tampa Riverwalk

The City of Tampa has the opportunity to reshape the waterfront for everyone to have access to and enjoy by developing a Master Plan for the Tampa Riverwalk, a continuous pedestrian walkway extending from the Channelside area to Tampa Heights along the east side of the Hillsborough River. It will incorporate pedestrian amenities, art and interpretive elements, retail and restaurant uses, parks and open space, and other urban amenities. The City retained EDAW, an international planning, landscape architecture and urban design firm to complete the plan. From this Master Plan the City identified the Riverwalk elements that will be built by 2010, and these elements comprise the Tampa Riverwalk 2010 Plan as depicted here. This Master Plan is key to Mayor Pam Iorio’s long range plan.

Long Range Plan

The concept of a river walk for Tampa has been around since the mid-1970s. Mayor Pam Iorio has energized the project with her vision of opening the waterfront to the people. She is developing a long-range plan in order to attain that vision. This plan puts a renewed emphasis on developing the waterfront to enhance the image of Tampa as a beautiful and unique destination. The goal is to create a Riverwalk with timeless appeal and memorable qualities that will draw people from both near and far.

The Tampa Riverwalk will serve to integrate residential living, economic development, educational and social activities, and the cultural arts district, as well as parks and open space, using one of the City of Tampa’s most valuable resources in the downtown area – the waterfront.

Many factors have come together to make now the time to transform Tampa’s downtown waterfront area into a center of commerce, transportation, entertainment and residential living. The Riverwalk will make downtown the heart of the city.

Our vision is to create a vibrant and interactive waterfront experience for residents and visitors that reflects the spirit and uniqueness of Tampa.

View The Tampa Riverwalk Master Plan Document (in PDF format)

See more Master Plan graphics

Tampa Riverwalk Vision Paper