Tempe’s limited resources and land-locked condition present
unique challenges for providing for the recreational, environmental and economic
needs of the community. Thus was born Rio Salado (Spanish for Salt River), a
plan that transformed a barren utility corridor into a beautiful greenbelt with
recreation, entertainment and development opportunities for residents and
visitors to enjoy.
No project has touched more generations with the breadth of
issues as Rio Salado. Re-introducing water to a dry riverbed surrounded by
utility corridors and susceptible to flooding is just one of the issues that has
been solved during the innovative planning of Rio Salado.
The City of Tempe's portion of the Rio Salado extends about
5.5 miles (8.86 km) in length from the Mesa border (east of Price Road), west to
the Phoenix border (at 48th Street). It is about one mile wide.
The focal point of the project is the 220-acre Tempe Town
Lake, which is being contained within the Salt River flood channel using
inflatable dams, a water pump system and slurry walls. The lake provides the
largest usable body of water available to the largest population in Arizona.
A
main gathering point at the lake is the 25-acre Tempe Beach Park, established as
the city’s first public park in 1931. Tempe Beach Park, centrally located on
the south bank of the Town Lake, just north of downtown Tempe, has been
completely renovated and continues to be the community gathering spot for all
ages. Town Lake Marina and the
Tempe Center for the Arts also draw
thousands of annual visitors.
A winding pathway, flanked by picnic groves is used for daily
lunches in the park and special events, such as Tempe’s famous New Year's Eve
Block Party and July Fourth celebration. Visitors to the park will find large,
sand play areas and a 5,000-seat grassy lawn that can be used for open play,
boat watching or as a concert amphitheater.
The use of public-private partnerships, grants and community
participation is necessary to develop this recreation amenity and to create a sustainable
future for Tempe. Density and building heights have been increased to
maximize land uses and mixed-use developments
provide a balance of hotel, restaurant, retail, office,
light industrial, residential, entertainment and commercial recreational venues.
.jpg)