Danville Parks and Recreation held a groundbreaking ceremony on Friday for the new Riverfront Park. The park is expected to open in the Summer of 2024.

The park will include a spray plaza, an all inclusive playground for kids, a performance area, gardens, an overlook extending into the Dan River, and a built river edge that will also include an extension of the Riverwalk Trail. The city is hoping that the park will be a destination for recreation and events.

The Riverfront Park was recommended as part of the River District redevelopment plan. The city has received support from foundations, the state, businesses, and private donors that have totaled over $7.1 million for the park.

River District Association CEO, Diana Schwartz outlined why the park will be important for the city.

“In order for us to continue drawing people in, bringing our kids back, and keeping people here we have to have a high quality of life and a high quality of place and parks are a way to do that. We are in a time and place in society and culture where people can first choose where they want to live and then where they want to work. We need to be an attractive choice for people to choose to want to live, work, play, pray, and invest in Danville, so parks are an important part of that,” said Schwartz.