Portsmouth Riverfront Park Portsmouth, Ohio
Role
Landscape Architecture / Planning
People Involved
Tim Schmalenberger, Jeffrey Pongonis, Ryan Schultz, Tim Rosenthal, Tom Stephens, Jared Brocklehurst
Typology
Public Riverfront Park
Project Timeline
2024 - Ongoing
Collaborators
Strand Associates, Columbus Architectural Studio, Lawhon & Associates, S&ME Geotechnical Services, Ironton-Lawrence Community Action Organization (ILCAO), City of Portsmouth, United State Army Corp of Engineers
A transformative riverfront revitalization project that reconnects the City of Portsmouth with the Ohio River through a network of parks, recreation, trails, and civic destinations
The Portsmouth Riverfront Park Project represents one of the most significant public investments in the city's recent history, transforming nearly two miles of Ohio River frontage into a connected system of parks, recreation, tourism, and community gathering spaces. The project creates new opportunities for residents and visitors to experience the waterfront while strengthening connections between downtown, surrounding neighborhoods, Shawnee State University, and the region's growing trail network.
The project originated through Ohio's Appalachian Community Grant Program, a $500 million initiative funded through the American Rescue Plan Act to support transformative projects throughout Appalachian Ohio. As one of the Governor's Office of Appalachia's selected planning consultants, MKSK partnered with the City of Portsmouth and the Ironton-Lawrence Community Action Organization to evaluate opportunities, establish a shared vision for the riverfront, develop conceptual designs, prepare cost estimates, and craft the grant narrative that positioned the project for funding.
The collaborative planning effort resulted in a successful $34 million Appalachian Community Grant award, allowing the vision to advance from concept into implementation. Following the award, the project team continued to lead the design process through stakeholder engagement, engineering coordination, detailed design, and construction documentation. Construction is currently underway with completion anticipated in November 2026.
Alexandria Point Park
Alexandria Point Park, located at the historic confluence of the Ohio and Scioto Rivers, establishes a signature civic destination featuring an architectural overlook connecting the upper streetscape to the river below. Landscaped gardens, public art celebrating the confluence, gathering spaces, scenic overlooks, and an upgraded kayak launch create a new gateway to the waterfront.
Portsmouth Amphitheater
The Portsmouth Amphitheater has been reimagined as a premier regional venue with a new performance stage, integrated shade structure, permanent seating, and terraced lawn areas designed to host concerts, festivals, and community events throughout the year.
Ridgeline Park
Positioned atop the levee, Ridgeline Park provides panoramic river views while strengthening connections to Shawnee State University and the Riverfront Shared-Use Path Network. Adjacent to the park, a new 60-site RV Campground expands tourism opportunities through modern campsites equipped with utility hookups and visitor amenities.
Doyle’s Landing
Doyle's Landing reconnects surrounding neighborhoods to the river through improved boating access, nature-based play opportunities, and direct connections to a community garden, creating an inclusive destination for recreation and environmental education.
Riverwalk Trail Network
Connecting every destination is the Riverwalk Trail Network, a continuous multi-use path that improves access to the waterfront while encouraging walking, cycling, and active transportation throughout the corridor.
Together, these investments reestablish Portsmouth's relationship with the Ohio River while creating a vibrant public landscape that supports recreation, tourism, economic development, and community life.
From securing transformational funding through the Appalachian Community Grant Program to guiding the project through design and implementation, the riverfront has become a catalyst for Portsmouth's continued revitalization and long-term growth.
