- December 16, 2025
The grand opening for Port Orange’s Riverwalk Park is about five months away, and there are already noticeable changes since last month.
The park, which will have its official grand opening on Saturday, Nov. 4, is in the second phase of construction, which means more concentration on a walkway, concessions and a splash pad. According to the city website, the first phase cost $1,048,664 while the second will cost $3,546,537. Part of the design and construction funds for the second phase will be provided by a $350,000 grant from the Florida Inland Navigation District and $400,000 from Volusia County ECHO.
Already, the park has a new dock to launch kayaks, canoes and stand up paddleboards. Residents can now rent kayaks from the company the city outsources for this, according to city officials.
Still under construction is the area of the park south of the Chamber of Commerce building along the Halifax River.
“That area was, a long time ago, a trailer park and the trailer park slowly disappeared,” City Manager Jake Johansson told the Port Orange Observer. “The city bought the property and we started developing our plans for a city park.”
This section of the park will consist of green space, a promenade area and splash pad, among others. The splash pad would be the city’s second.
Johansson said the longterm plan is to extend the promenade and have a crossover on Dunlawton for people to reach the park with more ease.
Resident Reactions
There have been mixed reactions from residents in the area in regards to the park. Some, such as Alan Baruchel, see the park as an improvement and a positive use for taxpayers’ dollars.
“At least taxpayers’ money is well spent and for people that can’t afford otherwise it’s complimentary, it’s gratuitous,” Baruchel said. “They should promote more of that, it’s all positive.”
Others, such Louise G., who declined to give her full last name, feel the park will cause problems, such as adding to road traffic.
“I don’t think it’s going to be a good thing for the residents because there’s too much congestion, the corner is busy as it is,” she said. “Plus I feel bad for the private businesses that have had to be taken away from there, people that have been there for years and years and years.”
Still, some Port Orange citizens are looking at the park as a way to decrease congestion in other parks in the area. Patrick Curry, who has lived in Port Orange for one year, believes the Riverwalk Park will provide more recreational options for locals.
“I think that’s awesome, they need some more parks,” Curry said. “It’s always a good thing to have parks for kids to go, for families to go, and some need improvements and others are too crowded at times.”
