Originally designed by H.W.S. Cleveland in 1885, Riverside Park is one of Minneapolis' oldest public parks and an important part of both the Mississippi Gorge Regional Park and the historic Grand Rounds system. As the surrounding Cedar-Riverside neighborhood continues to evolve, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board saw an opportunity to reinvest in this historic community asset and create new opportunities for recreation, gathering, and connection.

Working closely with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, community members, and project partners, Damon Farber helped guide a planning and design process centered on meaningful engagement and inclusive participation. Community priorities helped shape the future of the park, ensuring that new investments reflected the needs of residents while honoring the park's longstanding role as a neighborhood gathering place. The result is a park that supports a wide variety of experiences and welcomes people of all ages and backgrounds.

The design responds to Riverside Park's unique history, landscape, and community context. New amenities, including refreshed play and wading pool areas, nature-based play opportunities, gathering spaces, community garden areas, athletic court improvements, and a bluffside hammock grove, are thoughtfully integrated into the existing park fabric. Improved accessibility and stronger connections throughout the site help create a more welcoming and cohesive park experience while reinforcing the park's relationship to the broader Mississippi River corridor.

Native prairie restoration and enhanced landscape systems contribute to the long-term health and resilience of the park while enriching the visitor experience. Designed to support everyday use and adapt to future community needs, Riverside Park balances historic stewardship, recreation, ecology, and social connection. The completed improvements mark a new chapter for one of Minneapolis' most historic parks, ensuring it will continue to serve the Cedar-Riverside community for generations to come.