Waterville Riverwalk
The new Waterville Riverwalk opened to the public in late September, 2018 and was followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony in early October. This event was a rewarding experience for GTA’s Sashie Misner, who designed this transformational project during her tenure at Mitchell & Associates.
Located along the Kennebec River on a 12-acre vacant lot that used to support the Wyandotte mill, the Waterville Riverwalk is a 2,200 ft curving walkway that winds along the riverbank from the Ticonic Falls to the Two Cent Bridge—a 576-ft pedestrian suspension bridge that millworkers once used to cross the river from Waterville to Winslow. Incorporating design elements shaped by the topography of the river and the history of the site, the Riverwalk features:
- An amphitheater with granite and grass seats built into the slope of the land;
- A concrete walkway that uses different colors to depict the swirling of the river’s water;
- A raised boardwalk that traverses through planting beds;
- Grassy areas with plantings and ample public seating;
- Custom railings at the water’s edge that were designed to mimic the metalwork in the 576-ft suspension bridge that was once used by millworkers to cross from Waterville to Winslow at the south end of the Riverwalk;
- A children’s play area with water pumps and crisscrossed logs that speak to how logs used to be floated down the river to the mill; and
- The relocated “Taconic” sculpture which creates a dramatic landmark on the riverbank.
Just a block from Main Street, this project will contribute greatly to the City’s plans for redeveloping downtown Waterville in coming years.
