Posted April 27, 200520 yr Some "extreme" ideas are coming to the Miami Valley. Developers want to bring a lot more entertainment to downtown including a block of fire and a raging river. It's a drawing now but soon white water rafting in Riverscape could become a major draw to downtown. “I think it would be an excellent thing to have." Turning the flow of the river into fun is a little out there for some. “Interesting. Wouldn't that be brown water floating?" “People like to get in the river and we have a beautiful river." So, Maureen Pero and the Downtown Dayton Partnership along with Five Rivers Metro Parks want to make waves. It means the Conservancy District will adjust the dams and water flow. It’s designed to be a whitewater experience. Read full article here: http://www.wdtn.com/index.cfm?action=dsp_story&storyid=66013
April 27, 200520 yr This is the funniest thing I have heard this week! I was kind of hoping the "fire block" would involve some kind of actual fire. Of course, a more innovative city like Cleveland would combine the two ideas and just light the rapids on fire. Sorry, I couldn't resist.
April 28, 200520 yr Well, whatever. I'd whitewater raft in downtown. Then get Louie's Chicken ;). "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
April 28, 200520 yr RiverScape plans to add whitewater park By Steve Bennish Dayton Daily News Plans are under way for an urban whitewater park that could soon delight kayakers and canoeists who visit downtown's RiverScape. There's no timetable for construction and no funds have been secured, but Five Rivers MetroParks is working on plans for what could be a 1,200-foot water-filled raceway — the length of four football fields — along the Great Miami River bank near the Interstate 75 overpass. Charlie Shoemaker, Metro-Parks executive director, said the raceway could cost $2 million to $4 million to build. The project would also involve placing boulders at the low dam to eliminate deadly hazards to boaters from the dam's wash. The raceway would be built as a channel along the riverbank and bypass the Monument Avenue low dam, Shoemaker said. Read full article here: http://www.daytondailynews.com/localnews/content/localnews/daily/0428riverscape.html
April 29, 200520 yr YAY! "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
April 29, 200520 yr Things are getting interesting in Dayton for sure..white water..they need to run that raceway down the Mad River from Eastwood Park.....end it downtown at Riverscape..... Im glad to see this too..the one in downtown South Bend was sort of a neat concept...
August 13, 200519 yr MetroParks to offer more Outdoor adventures on the way, including kayaking, agency says By Steve Bennish Dayton Daily News Five Rivers MetroParks is launching an ambitious outdoor adventure program this fall that officials say will incorporate a dozen or more fast-growing pursuits like kayaking and spread awareness of the Dayton region as a recreation destination. Officials hope the effort will sharply alter the region's image and provide a major economic development push. They also hope the program, under the title Five Rivers Outdoors, will build on downtown success stories like RiverScape, the Schuster Center and the Dayton Dragons. Read full article here: http://www.daytondailynews.com/localnews/content/localnews/daily/0813metroparks.html
August 14, 200519 yr I always thought the bikeway system here was really underrated and not pushed enough. I think its pretty extensive...what would be neat if there would be a bike rental shop next to the bikeway.... ...a good place for that would be in Old North Datyon, as there is a connector with the bikeway at that little buisness district at Valley & Troy.... ...where that kayak place is...that kayak place on Valley Street is sort of neat....they have these big colorful kayaks right on the sidewalk. Another sport they could connect with, and this is a good one as its "low-impact" vs extreme, is Volksmarsching....I know theres alot of that going around as I had a boss who was into it.
August 14, 200519 yr I always thought the bikeway system here was really underrated and not pushed enough. I think its pretty extensive...what would be neat if there would be a bike rental shop next to the bikeway.... Totally agreed. ...a good place for that would be in Old North Dayton, as there is a connector with the bikeway at that little buisness district at Valley & Troy.... Either that or Wright-Dunbar. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
August 14, 200519 yr Kayaking in Dayton? By Steve Bennish Dayton Daily News Water spray, swirling currents and thrilling plunges spell whitewater adventure of the type seldom if ever seen in the Midwest. Today, the potential is just around the river bend. "I love it, man!" Gary Steinhurst said as he climbed out of his rubber raft. The 47-year-old Toledo man and his son Jeremy, 25, had just ridden the East Race Waterway in South Bend, Ind. The trip down still hadn't lost its thrill — even after the seventh time. "It's definitely a rush," Jeremy said. "It's really something." Read full article here: http://www.daytondailynews.com/localnews/content/localnews/daily/0814kayakrace.html
November 8, 200519 yr great idea! didn't know the Mad flowed through downtown Dayton though. the olentangy, north of columbus is a beautiful, albeit somewhat smelly, paddle after a heavy rain. when i lived there, i paddled it a 1/2 dozen times per season. It too could support a nice whitewater course, though perhaps not as artificial lookiing as the one proposed in dayton. in the LONG range view, I see Kingsbury Run in Cleveland being daylighted and turned into a whitewater park too.... It's got incredible flow and some real nice drops, especially considering its location in Cleveland. as a note to the people laughing at this post, it should be noted that class II whitewater is tremendously fun in a kayak and that's a level that's easily delivered by most of ohio's rivers....
November 8, 200519 yr I hope it happens. That area of the riverfront needs something. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
November 9, 200519 yr That area of the riverfront needs something. ...isnt that area part of that park or amphitheatre that was build via the "riverdesign" effort back in the 1970s/early 80s? Its really underutilized...i don't think anyone knows its there. great idea! didn't know the Mad flowed through downtown Dayton though. It meets the Miami just east of downtown (or the very eastern edge of downtown). Actually the Mad might be a good kayaking stream as it seems to have a pretty fast current and a good fall....thats why it was an early waterpower source for Dayton. "in the LONG range view, I see Kingsbury Run in Cleveland being daylighted and turned into a whitewater park too.... It's got incredible flow and some real nice drops, especially considering its location in Cleveland." Thats kind of an interesting concept, but I recall reading that this was the site of the first Standard Oil refinery....so perhaps environmental issues?
January 26, 200619 yr Haven't heard anything about this lately, but have seen petitions for people to sign and show support for the project (which I gladly signed)
March 27, 200619 yr RIVERSCAPE RIVER PARK PUBLIC INPUT MEETING When: Thursday, March 30 @ 7pm Where: Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark Auditorium 1301 E Siebenthaler Ave. Please spread the word about this important meeting and show up with friends and neighbors in tow to share your ideas and help guide the future of the downtown riverfront. http://www.daytonwaterpark.com/ Sorry about the size of these...
March 27, 200619 yr That looks a little...messy? Busy? And why are we hugging the loud 75 bridge? They even show a semi going overhead! I really like the idea, but these renderings make me puke.
March 27, 200619 yr The images do look quite odd. Why not try to show the project with less of the massive I-75 bridge in it. This would be both very noisy, as well as, very uninviting. It will have the exhaust of the passing vehicles and the garbage/debris that idiots always throw from their cars. :whip: This is a very creative proposal however, and I like the efforts to revitalize downtown Dayton and its riverfront.
March 27, 200619 yr And why are we hugging the loud 75 bridge? I think it might be just a bit cost prohibitive to move the dam
March 27, 200619 yr The 75 bridge is unfortunate, but there's not much you can do about it. Stupid bridge. It interferes with the skyline view from the Art Institute, too! :x Other than that, I don't see anything too strange about those drawings, except... what the hell are those things swimming around in the river in the first one? They look like jellyfish with top hats.
March 27, 200619 yr I think it might be just a bit cost prohibitive to move the dam Well that stinks! edit: Can you not move the rafting area upstream, or is there another dam?
March 27, 200619 yr I haven't seen that many white folks in downtown Dayton (presumably on a weekend) since 1989! "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
October 21, 200618 yr Cost estimates sink white-water park plan Agencies say $10 million too much to develop recreational area along the Great Miami River by downtown Dayton The proposed white-water park in the Great Miami River by downtown Dayton was scuttled Friday after construction cost estimates rose as high as $10 million. The feasibility study for the park, which would have been located at the low dam just north of the Monument Avenue bridge, estimated the costs for the in-river construction at between $4 million and $8 million. Another $2 million in facilities and landscaping would be needed along the river bank to make the park a viable public attraction, said Carrie Scarfe, director of development and special projects for Five Rivers MetroParks. The study, released Friday, said a white-water play area could be built at the site and would draw people from the Dayton region and beyond. But the park district and the Miami Conservancy District — the two agencies that paid a Colorado design firm $70,000 for the study — decided the cost was too steep. Read full article here: http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2006/10/21/ddn102106whitewater.html
October 21, 200618 yr It costs $10 MM while that's expensive I think everyone should've guessed that this wasn't going to be done on the cheap. It's too bad that the park district isn't going forward, this project could've helped revive interest in the town.
September 10, 200717 yr Army Corps wants feedback on Buck Creek whitewater rafting proposal By Samantha Sommer Monday, September 10, 2007 John Loftis would prefer not to drive to West Virginia or Pennsylvania to kayak. Rather, if the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers give its OK to his proposal, he could paddle down Buck Creek. "I was looking for something recreational here," Loftis said. The Army Corps is reviewing an application to remove or alter four low-head dams in Buck and Beaver creeks, replacing the removed ones with back fill and native stone boulders. That would create features allowing for whitewater kayaking, or canoeing, Loftis said, as well as improving safety and the environment. The proposal also calls for some terraced banks, which Loftis said would improve access and use of the creek. Read full article here: http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/hp/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/09/09/sns091007whitewater.html
February 8, 200817 yr Although the whitewater rafting part of Riverscape Phase III is dead, anyone (Billy) know if the ice rink still going forward? I noticed it was on the DDP website. From the website.... RiverScape Entertainment Plaza The RiverScape Entertainment Plaza will provide the community with a beautiful festival and concert venue. It will also be home to a new, larger ice skating rink during the winter. No doubt, the plaza will be the region’s center for free entertainment, music and large festivals. Plans for the plaza include: Covered pavilion overlooking the river Permanent stage and covered seating Larger ice skating rink, allowing skating during rain, snow and mild temperatures Concessions and restrooms Bike hub with showers, lockers and other amenities for cyclists stopping at RiverScape The flowers, fountains and fun that RiverScape is famous for throughout the year Construction to begin in 2008
February 23, 200817 yr Yes, the ice rink is going forward but I am not sure if it will resemble the rendering. Also, do not be surprised to see some sort of whitewater/kayaking on the Mad River upstream of Riverscape.
February 23, 200817 yr Also, do not be surprised to see some sort of whitewater/kayaking on the Mad River upstream of Riverscape. That would be MUCH more realistic and cost effective option than trying to get it on the Miami, plus Mad River has more rough water to it anyway making it a much better Kayak environment.
March 14, 200817 yr NOTE: This is not an abandoned project and here is why... MAD RIVER WHITEWATER PARK -- SIGN YOUR NAME AND SHOW SUPPORT Hello all, Our friends at Whitewater Warehouse here in Dayton have asked us to help them out during the Public Comment phase of a proposed whitewater project on the Mad River. Whitewater Warehouse is working with Five Rivers MetroParks (one of our key partners) on this, so it would be great to show our support. What you are being invited to do is to visit the link below, check a few boxes that say you support this project, and then sign your name. It is quite simple and would really help with this great idea for the Mad River and our community. We are attaching the Public Notice to the Corps of Engineers, so please read it in detail if you would like. But here is the overall sense of the project. Thanks for your help with this and your simple actions to make progress in our region. The end of the Public Comment phase is March 28, so please do this before then. Whitewater Warehouse will take all the signatures to the Corps of Engineers on March 28. http://www.kayakdayton.com//Company-Profile/Whitewater-Park-Full.html Mad River Whitewater Project Notice No. 2007-00652-GMR Comment Period 2/28/08 to 3/28/08 Description: Five Rivers Metro Parks is proposing the construction of a whitewater park beginning at Eastwood MetroPark and continuing to below the railroad trussels, a distance of a half mile. This modification of the Mad River would include the installation of boulder-clusters, self-scouring pools, and current deflectors; along with stabilization of the banks, safe public access, and natural rock terracing. The project is estimated to cost $500,000-$750,000 http://www.kayakdayton.com//index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=75 http://www.kayakdayton.com/
March 17, 200817 yr Michael, this is a realistic proposal and in a great area. Eastwood Park will soon have a bicycle trail connecting downtown with points east, including Huffman Prairie, Fairborn, Wright State University, and Wright-Patt. Let's hope it becomes reality!
March 19, 200817 yr Whitewater park plan focuses on Mad River Latest plan under review would cost about $500,000 for facility at Eastwood MetroPark By Steve Bennish Wednesday, March 19, 2008 Five Rivers MetroParks is moving ahead with plans to develop a whitewater park near downtown. Only now it appears that a project could occur sooner along a stretch of the Mad River rather than at the Monument Avenue low dam, next door to RiverScape, as originally proposed. The latest plan is under review by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the federal agency is accepting public comment on it through March 28. The Corps could issue a permit this year. The park could cost about $500,000 and be built within a few months during low water periods such as August. Read full article here: http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2008/03/18/ddn031908whitewaterpark.html
February 24, 200916 yr The Dayton Business Journal reports that Springfield is set for a $23 million makeover. John Detrick said Springfield is about to undergo a transformation unlike anything in a half century. The Clark County commissioner said in this bogged-down economy, a coalition of Springfield-based organizations are trudging forward with more than $23.5 million in developments sparked by the $250 million, 450,000-square-foot hospital planned for downtown. All of it is aimed at shaking the post-industrial city from its slumber and into a work-live-play destination, bringing hundreds of jobs and income tax along with it. The plan calls for: * One project, a $1 million, multi-phased effort to turn the city’s waterway into a recreation attraction and potential economic engine, is about to flow after more than five years of planning. * Development is charging ahead on a $20 million effort to renovate three downtown buildings and lure office users. * Springfield development and realty company, Midland Properties, has teamed with a Colorado company to turn Buck Creek into a usable waterway, with an adjacent natural climbing wall. Buck Creek, between 20 to 50 feet wide in places, snakes through the heart of downtown. * And the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce is spearing the first phase of a multi-block center city park, costing $2 million, and hopes to assist in more park development in the next 10 years. That development is aimed at connecting all of the projects together with walk-able green space. * Officials are also negotiating with a private property owner to open up about 80 acres for a $500,000 mountain bike trail, which would be accessible from the city’s pre-existing paved bike trails. * Turn the cliffs near the museum into a climbing area, which users could free climb up to seven feet.
November 13, 200915 yr I hear the Greater Downtown Dayton Plan has an emphasis on removing the low dams through downtown with a whitewater course on the Mad River and by Island Metropark.
May 8, 201015 yr Great Miami River Recommendations from the GDDP: http://www.scribd.com/full/31055163?access_key=key-f7jaif846vb0iv3wlya
May 8, 201015 yr Have not been to this particular area/stream....so, I state the following only if his particular stretch of the stream is a relatively healthy and in its more natural state....But the following part of the project raised a concern... "Springfield development and realty company, Midland Properties, has teamed with a Colorado company to turn Buck Creek into a usable waterway, with an adjacent natural climbing wall. Buck Creek, between 20 to 50 feet wide in places, snakes through the heart of downtown." From an environmental perspective....and one who explores many Ohio waterways and all their bio-wonder that few know exist, I find the above idea to cause me to say with skepticism...."Hmmm"....such as described, and depending on the scope of this.... it may be to a creek's bio-diversity and health, what demolishing all the historic structures in a downtown setting to build a parking lot, is to the undermining of the historical and walkable integrity of a city. Just love it when engineers try to "improve" a waterway without consulting aquatic ecologist professionals who do not work for a state agency. Not all so called "improvements" are good in the long term. But their paycheck depends upon them not understanding this point of view and I am sure many here will not either. Anyway...Just ask the Mississippi and Colorado rivers how much "improvements" have helped. When will we ever learn to work with natural laws instead of against them.
July 27, 201113 yr It's baaaack!! Cox donates $1 million for river project The James M. Cox Foundation has provided 1 $1 million challenge grant to help remove a dam and develop more recreational opportunities on a stretch near downtown Dayton on the Great Miami River. More below: http://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/news/2011/07/27/cox-donates-1-million-for-river-project.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
January 31, 201213 yr http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/dayton-news/riverfront-plans-taking-form--1313686.html Still trudging along, has anyone heard anything more about this?
June 1, 201213 yr RiverScape project raises $3.8 million The RiverScape River Run Project has nearly achieved its fundraising goal almost a year after it started campaigning for dollars. Supporters, including businesses, foundations and individuals, have contributed $3.8 million of $4 million need to complete the next phase of development at RiverScape MetroPark. The initiative aims to create a regional recreation destination. Full article below: http://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/news/2012/06/01/riverscape-project-raises-38-million.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
June 2, 201213 yr I will have to admit I guess it's been a while since I've been to downtown Dayton. I don't recognize the background area. The drawings for the park look nice, although it would be much nicer to see some fountains.
June 7, 201213 yr ^ They have a small fountain up in the park on top of the bank in the pix, and a much larger (actually pretty impressive) one in the river at the confluence btw the Mad & Miami. @@@ Yep, it looks like this is going to happen. Not too convicned of the aesthetic merits as removing the low dam would remove that large pool in front of downtown, which makes the river look larger and gives some opportunity for things like paddle boats, and less intense paddling than those kayaks. There is a backstory (so I've head) to this in that a Cox family heir is in Dayton in a management position at Cox Ohio, and he is apparently a kayaker or canoist or something, so this is sort of a personal project (hence the intial seed money from the Cox foundation). I think this is still a good concept as one way Dayton could differentiate itself from being just another run-of-the-mill Midwest rustbelt factory town is via this outdoor rec push, that Five Rivers is sort of the lead on. Paddling is one part of a larger strategy involving cycling and hiking/backpacking that positions this community as a good place to be if you are into these kinds of sports, if you want to be active outdoors...
June 8, 201213 yr I will have to admit I guess it's been a while since I've been to downtown Dayton. I don't recognize the background area. The drawings for the park look nice, although it would be much nicer to see some fountains. If I'm not mistaken, the building in the picture are part of the new "Tech Town" where a former refrigerator factory had been between Webster and Keowee streets. Because they are on the right, this must be an upstream view.
June 11, 201213 yr This is the upstream view from Main St/US48. The building on the right is the one containing Deloitte and the Metropark Offices.
May 18, 201510 yr Ohio contractor tabbed for $2.5M downtown rafting project An Ohio contractor will handle the work on a $2.5 million downtown Dayton recreation project. Urbana-based J & J Schlaegel will perform the construction on RiverScape River Run, a project to transform the Great Miami River into a haven for rafters and the like. The project will feature two structures that span the river, each with two passageways. One is a smooth water passageway for novice paddlers and another will have whitewater features. More below: http://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/blog/morning_call/2015/05/ohio-contractor-tabbed-for-2-5m-downtown-rafting.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
March 6, 20178 yr $4M downtown Dayton river redevelopment to open for summer A multi-million-dollar project to redevelop the Great Miami River through downtown Dayton is expected to open this summer. Five Rivers MetroParks will host a grand opening for the RiverScape RiverRun project May 5 at 4:30 p.m. The $4 million project has been in the works next to RiverScape MetroPark. Construction on the project in the river is wrapping up this winter, according to information from Downtown Dayton Partnership, and the river will be open beginning this summer. More below: http://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/news/2017/03/06/4m-downtown-daytonriver-redevelopment-to-open-for.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
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