Temple Terrace reviews Riverside Park redesign emphasizing walking access, security and kayak rentals

Halff and Associates briefed the City of Temple Terrace City Council on a revised conceptual design for Riverside Park on Oct. 12, 2025, highlighting pedestrian connections to downtown, a boardwalk with a 20-foot overlook tower, a 16,000-square-foot Grand Lawn and space for a kayak rental vendor.

"The goal that we're gonna be presenting today is an update of the conceptual site plan from where we were before to where we are today," said Joe Loretta, representing Halff and Associates, as he opened the presentation and reviewed community survey results and proposed design changes.

The presentation said the majority of survey respondents cited walking and trails, water access and small-group gathering spaces as top priorities. Halff's team showed a one-way, 20-space parking lot, two raised pedestrian crosswalks, a boardwalk along the creek and a floating kayak launch at Springdale Pond. The plan also preserves much of the existing tree canopy while removing a small number of trees that staff described as in poor health and adding about 39 new trees in the design.

Why it matters: Council members said the park should remain a neighborhood facility while also supporting downtown activation. That distinction shaped council questions about restrooms, safety, maintenance and how tightly the city should link adjacent commercial redevelopment to park access.

Key design elements and staff notes

- Pedestrian connections and amenities: The plan emphasizes walkability from the downtown core to the river. Halff proposed boardwalks, an overlook tower, outdoor…