Centennial Park Splash Pad, City of Worthington, Minnesota
Local children now have a fun space to cool off in the hot summer months.
"We’ve had multiple plans for this area over the last few decades, and this is the only plan that is uniquely Topeka, has Midwest sensibilities, and feels like something we can actually implement."
- Greater Topeka Partnership Member
Topeka’s riverfront is rich with natural, cultural, and historic assets, yet large portions of this area remained underutilized and disconnected from surrounding neighborhoods, the arts district, and downtown. Community leaders recognized the need for a cohesive vision to guide reinvestment and reestablish the riverfront as a defining civic destination.
Bolton & Menk provided a comprehensive riverfront vision that reimagines this historic corridor as an active, accessible, and economically vibrant public asset. Guided by the River Advisory Council and extensive community input, the plan establishes a framework for riverfront parks, future development opportunities, and pedestrian friendly connections. Design solutions emphasize access to nature, recreation, placemaking, and quality public spaces while supporting economic development and long-term revitalization. High quality visualizations, clear implementation strategies, phasing guidance, and regulatory considerations were integrated to move the vision from concept to action.
The resulting riverfront vision positions Topeka to reconnect people to the Kansas River, strengthen links between key districts, and create a destination that enhances quality of life while setting the stage for continued investment and collaboration.
Local children now have a fun space to cool off in the hot summer months.
Downtown streetscape enhancements bring festive lighting into the business district with minimal construction effort.
This future park will bring together community members of all ages.
Working closely with city staff and local neighborhoods, we generated a more attractive, multimodal, user-friendly