THE WOODLANDS, TX – (April 27, 2009) – Riva Row Park & Boat House, a new recreational amenity on The Woodlands Waterway®, opened April 25 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and public open house, according to Alex Sutton, president of The Woodlands Development Company (TWDC).
Riva Row Park and Boat House was designed and built by TWDC and has been conveyed to The Woodlands Commercial Owners Association (WCOA). It will be operated by the Community Associations of The Woodlands Parks and Recreation Department.
“Riva Row Park adds the new dimension of water sports to the public’s enjoyment of The Woodlands Waterway,” Sutton said. “The Waterway was conceived as a transportation corridor with water taxis providing commercial transit to stops along the east end. Now, everyone can hop in a kayak and travel the west end of The Waterway to Lake Woodlands for fitness and pleasure.”
Riva Row Park was conceived by the urban design firm, Sasaki & Associates to be the southern extension of Town Green Park across The Waterway. This 1.6-acre park is located at the juncture of the upper and lower levels of The Waterway. The Waterway drops six feet in elevation at Riva Row Park. The park is designed to connect the upper and lower pedestrian walkways and to connect the lower level of The Waterway up to street level at Riva Row. It also provides an important pedestrian connection from parking areas used during events at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion.
The western edge of the park is bordered by “The Falls at Riva Row”, a scenic waterfall feature adjacent to The Boardwalk at Town Center, a luxury apartment community on Riva Row. The primary feature of the park is Riva Row Boat House, conceived as an iconic sculptural feature and landmark along The Waterway with a floating, curved copper roof, reminiscent of the soaring tensile roof structure of The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion.
In addition to Sasaki & Associates, contractors for the project included Millis Development & Construction and Jones & Carter. Greg Billman, senior project manager for TWDC, managed the construction of the project.
The Open House on April 25 introduced the public to kayaking at the Riva Row Boat House, with free kayak rides and lessons being offered along with light refreshments and family activities. Kayaks are now available for rental at the Boat House. Provided by Orvis, single and tandem kayaks, lifejackets and paddles will rent for $15 per hour, with a charge of $5 for each additional hour, or $35 for a full day. For more information, call the Community Associations of The Woodlands Parks and Recreation Department at 281-210-3965 or visit www.thewoodlandsassociations.org or boathouse@catw-tx.org.
Photo caption: Gathering on the dock for the ribbon cutting at Riva Row Park and Boat House are community leaders, executives of The Woodlands Development Company (TWDC) and contractors. From left to right are: Chris Braughton of Millis Development & Construction; Debra Staley, director of public affairs for TWDC; Chris Nunes, director of parks and recreation for the Community Associations of The Woodlands; Greg Billman, senior project manager for TWDC; Alex Sutton, president of TWDC; Robert Heineman, vice president of planning for TWDC; Dan Leverett, vice president of commercial for TWDC and vice president of The Woodlands Commercial Owners Association (WCOA); John Powers, co-interim general manager for the Community Associations of The Woodlands; Alan Benson, co-interim general manager for the Community Associations of The Woodlands; Greg Jordan, director of commercial for TWDC and secretary of the WCOA; and Don Norrell, president of The Woodlands Township. |
