Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park has been heralded as Tampa’s missing “here” and the crown jewel in the city’s Riverwalk, a bold urban plan conceived to reactivate the Hillsboro River and downtown Tampa. The master plan sets the park as the district’s focal point, positioning the Riverwalk, museums, and park buildings to the park and the waterfront. The plan boldly called for the removal of an old museum and sprawling parking garage that had denied the city access to its riverfront.

The park’s southern border connects with the renovated Kiley Garden, which had previously been elevated above grade, discouraging public access and enjoyment. A pedestrian bridge now connects both park spaces and gives new meaning to the garden. The Tampa Museum of Art and Glazer Children’s Museum have sprouted culture and family activities at the park, near the Great Lawn, an area surrounded by trees and scaled to accommodate large and small events. The lawn is framed on either end by fountain plazas that can become venues for larger festivals. The design carves into the sloping topography to reveal terraced lawn panels that spill down from the museum terraces and garden promenade. A linear park pavilion with restrooms, offices, a café, a visitor center, and a restaurant with unparalleled river views activates the southern edge.

The interactive louver and mist fountains at either end of the park are designed to capture Tampa’s imagination while cooling its residents. Distinctive fountains, pavement, and pylon lights extend the nighttime draw of citizens to the glowing park. Located along the Riverwalk and taking sculptural cues from the Museum of Art are a contemporary play area and urban dog run. Innovative lawn rafts, timber chairs, concrete loungers, and picnic tables reflect a commitment to 21st-century comforts beyond the conventional bench, drawing enthusiastic crowds to downtown Tampa’s new front lawn.