Norwich unveils conceptual plan to remake Howard T. Brown waterfront with plazas, riverwalk and relocated boat launch

Norwich officials and their consultants presented a conceptual master plan for Howard T. Brown Park and a portion of the Heritage Trail during a City Council meeting, showing new plazas, an expanded riverwalk, a splash-play area convertible to an ice rink, a band shell and a proposed relocation of the boat launch.

Kevin Brown of NCDC introduced the project and described the work to date, saying the current presentation is a “conceptual design.” He told the council the city has assembled roughly $7,000,000 in grants and local contributions for waterfront improvements, and that SLR Consulting had been hired as the project’s master planner.

The plan presented by Mike Doherty, manager of landscape architecture with SLR Consulting, divides Howard T. Brown Park into west, central and east zones and proposes different improvements in each. “We’re really trying to activate the west side, reallocate space within the central area, and activate and remove pavement from the East Side,” Doherty said.

Key elements shown in the concept drawings:

- West plaza: an accessible ramp from West Main Street down to a new plaza with a multiuse spray-play fountain designed as flush jets, seating, shade trees and a restroom and…