Trees & Landscaping

Lanscaping Old Towne Augusta
Trees & Landscaping

Riverwalk

River Walk Banner

Inception to Present

The City of Augusta is located along the Savannah River which directly contributed to Augusta's early growth and served as a source for travel and trade; and at one point Augusta became the 2nd largest inland cotton market in the world. Unfortunately progress was interrupted multiple times by periodic flooding of the river (late 1800's to early 1900's) that damaged the downtown business district as well as the homes of residents.

In 1908 the City of Augusta Forces built a levee (dirt & rocks) to protect the City from flooding (by hand with mules for 6 years) but in 1929 the most significant flooding occurred which came over the existing levee structure and severely flooded downtown once again. In 1936, a flood Control Act was passed and the Corps of Engineers rebuilt the levee, by mandate, to the height that it is now. Then, in the early 50's Clark Hill Dam was constructed up river to control river levels as well as provide a source of power for the CSRA.

For over 50 years the levee served to protect the city, but slowed trade and commerce and actually became a barrier between the people and the water. (psychological barrier) Industrial development moved south and west due to the large structure and actually prevented construction along its bank, which left a pristine, unspoiled shoreline. The downtown business district of Augusta thrived up until the mid 70's when 2 million sq. ft. of shopping malls opened on the outskirts of town. Shock waves were felt and mass exodus of merchants began- leaving the downtown area to respond to consumer demands.

The River then, was still blocked by the levee with little or no activity in the downtown area- It was then that the City fathers had to answer a question; Is there a place for a downtown urban center or is downtown Augusta a part of the past?

In the early 80's the Renaissance of the River began! A core of individuals from the private sector formed the organization "Augusta Tomorrow" which acted as a catalyst for the development of the Riverfront. A phased plan was developed to transform Augusta's Riverfront into a thriving business and tourist center with concentrated interests on a cultural corridor within the downtown area. A partnership was formed between the City and Augusta Tomorrow, which funded the master plan designed by the consulting firm Citicorp USA. (New York based)

In 1985 the plan began to be implemented with the 1st phase of construction of Riverwalk and the actual breach of the levee to gain access along the shores of the Savannah. The breach actually required an act of Congress for Corps of Engineers to issue permits for the cuts. Construction of phase I was completed in 1988 with brick walkways along the top of the levee and lower tree lined walks along the banks of the river. Special consideration was given not to destroy existing trees growing on the levee proper. At present, the park has expanded 3 additional blocks along the river from 5th St. to 10th St.

River walk Map

The complex infrastructure houses an outdoor amphitheater, full service marina, children's playground, and official weather station, picnic areas, water features, and numerous horticultural displays of color for visitor enjoyment. Other interesting features include:

levee flanked with historical flags depicting Augusta's history along top of levee- French, British, Spanish
Founders overlook (top of 7th St.) flags signifying Augusta GA founder Oglethorpe.

Alematic Sundial- top of the levee between 8th- 9th St. - one can stand on the month of the year and your personal shadow points to the time of the day.
Japanese Garden and Waterfall - lower level at 10th St. in honor of our Sister City-Takarazuka Japan
Commemorative Historical Plaques line top of levee- pictorial mementos of Augusta's History- cotton, railroads, flooding
Historical flood levels are shown on levee breach at 8th St.
Heroes overlook at 10th St.- plaques in walk signifying veterans who received Medals of honor in the armed forces:
- District Service Cross
- Congressional Medal of Honor
(Citizens purchased bricks for $76.00 which were used to construct Heroes Overlook)

River Walk Fountain

The Bulkheads jutting out in the water at 7th, 8th, 9th, & 10th streets bring visitors closer in touch with the water and were designed with drainage in case the park is inundated by flooding. The unique layout of the master plan utilized perpendicular streets to serve as corridors feeding into the Riverfront Complex. Over the last few years, streetscape improvements have been made to serve as avenues to Riverwalk proper. All streets end at the Riverfront Project and are planted with various species of trees suitable to withstand adverse urban street conditions.
7th Street - Quercus Phellos - Willow Oak
8th Street - Taxodium Distichum - Bald Cypress
9th Street - Ginko Biloba- Maidenhair Tree

10th Street - Sophora Japonica - Japanese Pagoda

Adjoining downtown streetscape improvements began on parallel streets downtown:

Broad - planting of Ulms Parvifolea (Chinese Elm) - dramatic improvement to soften streetscape - reduce urban heat island- tremendous aesthetic improvement

Reynolds St. - Zelkova Serrata - 'Green Vase' - Japanese Zelkova

Jones St. - Pistacia Chinensis - Chinese Pistachio

Over 500 trees have been planted each year for last 4 years to contribute to the urban forest with a diverse selection of species planted. The existing bricks on 8th St. prior to construction were taken up and reused as the street surface.

Park Size: 4800 linear feet (5 blocks) long encompasses 38 acres of land - 200,000 sq. ft. of centipede is mowed weekly - 165,000 sq. ft. of paved surfaces are blown of litter and 30 thousand annuals are planted yearly.

Specialized hydraulic slope mowers are used to mow the 2:1 slope.

River Walk Photos

Year round seasonal color has been a special interest of the department to make your visit enjoyable.

River Walk Photos

Displays of color are also used in the adjoining streets of Broad and Reynolds

River Walk Photos

Riverwalk to date has been a 20 million-dollar project - coming from almost 100% of the City of Augusta General Revenue funds. Only 200,000 has been state grant funding. Considering the City's strong financial commitment, this was the catalyst for private investment and development.
Port Royal Condominiums - 45 million dollars (Home of National Science Center Fort Discovery)

Radisson Hotel and Conference Center - Office Park - 43 million dollar project

Other attractions

Morris Museum of Art at 10th St.

New Augusta Richmond County Museum

Artist Row on Broad St. - art studios

Augusta Botanical Gardens

Special Events

River Walk Fountain 2

Fireworks

River Walk Fireworks

During the holiday season the riverfront is adorned with the Official City of Augusta Municipal Christmas Tree which serves as a focal point for the festival of lights. The Trees and Landscape department locates, erects, and decorates a fresh 40' tree for citizen and visitor enjoyment.

Festival of Lights

The Mayor of Augusta officially turns on downtown Christmas lights to start the Holiday season in Augusta

River Walk Christmas Tree

With all the festivities, landscape maintenance remains challenging and the degree of difficulty is never ending to keep Riverwalk blooming.

The dilemma of plants and people - (at times crowds in excess of 80,000 patronize the riverfront).

Shops, restaurants, pubs and boutiques are opening and more and more festivities are being held.

If the City of Augusta has a message to send it would be:

The City of Augusta and the Private Sector are working together and are committed to the Riverfront Project, with real dollars.

Tourism on the Riverfront is working in Augusta due to the Renaissance of the River and beauty of Augusta's Riverwalk. Future development will be an extension of the Riverwalk from 10th - 13th which will also give an access path to the (23 acre) Augusta Botanical Gardens.