Phase One: 652 to YOU

CPI began with a public engagement program called 652 to YOU, which is an opportunity for community leaders and residents to provide feedback about existing recreation experiences and infrastructure on or along the river, and to share ideas for their improvement by participating in a series of interactive activities facilitated by our team.

Bridgeport, Alabama, participated in 652 to YOU in 2019, as part of the Tennessee RiverLine’s Pilot Communities Program. After completing 652 to YOU, Bridgeport received a report of the findings and a list of recommendations for how the community can make progress toward their aspirations. In addition, a list of potential projects was identified based on the community’s shared vision for their section of the Tennessee RiverLine. Bridgeport selected the River Park and Boat Ramp site as their priority placemaking project to study in Phase Two.

The following recommendations were outlined in Bridgeport’s 652 to YOU report:

1. Build Local Paddle Culture through Events and Partnerships

2. Celebrate and Connect Existing Assets

3. Build Relationships and Corporate Citizenship

4. Enhance Gear Availability

5. Expand Camping and Lodging Options

6. Steward and Animate Existing River Access Points

7. Leadership Development

8. Leverage Existing Funding Opportunities, Advocate for New Sources

Phase TWO: CONCEPTUAL DESIGN

The Bridgeport Local Leadership Team, with the guidance of the Tennessee RiverLine planning and design team, selected the site currently known as the River Park and Boat Ramp as the priority placemaking project. There is an established boat ramp, parking area, pavilion, and restroom currently on the site. The leadership team feels that adding kayak access and other amenities would enhance the site and make use of public land that is available for development. The leadership would like to see safe and accessible paddling access and camping amenities on the site. The community at large would like to see hiking trails, picnicking and concessions, and adaptive paddling access on the site.

Project Goals

Based on the feedback received from Bridgeport’s Local Leadership Team, the community-wide survey, and the research performed by the Tennessee RiverLine Planning and Design team, three primary project goals were identified for the proposed park design at the River Park and Boat Ramp:

• To establish River Park and Boat Ramp as a riverfront park and outdoor recreation hub that provides a diverse program of uses for both residents and visitors, including camping, a general store with gear rental, picnicking pavilions, and expanded river access for paddling and shoreline fishing.

• To celebrate local history and ecology through education and stewardship by improving and expanding an interpretive history walk and restoring ecological habitats in an upland meadow and on the riparian edge.

• To provide safe and accessible river access for non-motorized users on site with ADA-accessible paths, parking lots, a kayak launch, and a shoreline fishing area.

The proposed conceptual design plan was directly influenced by the site’s location, historical and cultural context, property ownership, hydrologic and ecologic conditions, existing infrastructure, and programming needs of the community.