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Riverfront Park is an ambitious urban renewal project located along the historic downtown banks of the Rappahannock River in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Spanning 4 acres and completed in May 2021, the park artfully integrates modern amenities with a deep respect for historical significance.
As Fredericksburg’s first smart park, the site is equipped with solar-powered lighting, USB charging stations, and interactive water features, establishing it as a technologically advanced space. Despite its contemporary focus, the park pays homage to the area’s rich colonial and Civil War history. This innovative public space harmonizes modern design elements with historical context, offering a multifunctional area for community gatherings and recreation.
The design objectives for Riverfront Park were multifaceted, aiming to create a modern recreational area integrated into the surrounding historically significant city of Fredericksburg. Initiated as part of a master plan in 2008, the design process for Riverfront Park began in earnest in 2016.
Landscape design firm Rhodeside & Harwell faced the challenge of reconciling contemporary aesthetics with the area’s colonial and Civil War history. According to Rhodeside & Harwell principal Derrick J. Wolbaum:
“FREDERICKSBURG IS A VERY HISTORICAL CITY. A LOT OF THE EXISTING PARKS ARE VERY TRADITIONAL AND REFLECT THAT SURROUNDING HISTORY. THE CITY WANTED A CONTEMPORARY DESIGN FOR THIS PARK, SO ONE OF THE CHALLENGES WAS STAKEHOLDER MINDSET. THE CITY SET UP A TASK FORCE AND WE MET WITH THEM AND WITH STAKEHOLDER GROUPS THROUGH THE WHOLE PROCESS TO GET EVERYONE ON BOARD.”
– Wolbaum, Rhodeside & Harwell
“The overall layout and geometry of the site is very contemporary. For example, there are interactive water features, contemporary playgrounds, contemporary use of historic materials. There were materials that we used that were found on site and that had been stockpiled from historic streets that we repurposed in a contemporary manner through the site to tie the history into it.”
Luck Ecosystems, the supplier of the surfacing material, for the project, also highlighted the use of historic materials on the project.
“IN THE 1960S AND 1970S THEY RE-PAVED FREDERICKSBURG WITH ASPHALT AND PULLED ALL THE COBBLESTONE OUT OF THE STREETS. SOMEONE HAD THE FORESIGHT TO STORE THAT MATERIAL. IN THIS PARK, THESE COBBLESTONES WERE INCORPORATED IN THE WALKWAYS LEADING INTO THE PARK, ALONG WITH A STORYLINE OF SIGNAGE AND HISTORICAL FEATURES TO GUIDE YOU AS YOU WALK ALONG AND INTO THE LARGER PARK AREA.”
Flood resilience was another key design consideration, as the park is situated within the Rappahannock River’s floodline. This necessitated the use of materials that could withstand periodic inundation without significant damage. The park’s design includes elevated areas and strategically placed drainage to manage stormwater and prevent erosion. The natural meadows and permeable surfaces, help absorb excess water and reduce runoff. The use of durable materials and structures anchored firmly to the ground further contribute to the park’s overall sustainability and flood resilience.
Material selection was critical in achieving the project’s design and functional goals. In selecting materials, Rhodeside & Harwell prioritized durability, historical resonance, and aesthetic appeal.
“THE SITE IS LOCATED WITHIN A FLOODLINE, SO EVERYTHING WE DESIGNED HAD TO TAKE FREQUENT FLOODING INTO ACCOUNT,” SAID WOLBAUM. “EVERYTHING HAD TO BE DURABLE, THINGS HAD TO BE ANCHORED TO THE GROUND WITH EARTH ANCHORS, AND FOR MATERIALS WE HAD TO THINK ABOUT HOW THEY WOULD STAND UP TO FLOODS.”
– Wolbaum, Rhodeside & Harwell
Stabilized aggregate was chosen as the natural surfacing material for the large gathering and garden area in order to achieve the natural look and feel desired, without compromising on maintenance requirements.
“ONE OF THE PROGRAM ELEMENTS WAS CREATING A LARGE GATHERING AREA RIGHT NEXT TO WHERE A FUTURE STAGE IS GOING TO BE, BUT WE DIDN’T WANT TO HAVE LARGE, EXPANSIVE AREAS OF PAVING. OUR GO-TO WAS THE STABILIZED GRANITE, SO THE AREA WOULD FEEL MORE LIKE A GARDEN.”
– Wolbaum, Rhodeside & Harwell
Organic-Lock Stabilized Aggregate (OLSA) was chosen for its superior durability, while providing a visually appealing, permeable surface. OLSA combines a specifically graded aggregate with a patented, renewable, plant-based binder. This mixture is designed to be blended with crushed aggregate, creating permeable and natural-looking pathways and surfaces.
Luck Ecosystem supplied 115 tons of OLSA in Greene County Grey (Medium Grey) to cover approximately 4700 square feet.
The OLSA was designed to be bordered by historic cobblestones. This necessitated an edge design that would ensure full compaction and strength of the stabilized aggregate without compromising or damaging the cobblestone border. The following Organic-Lock detail illustrates this edge condition.
The planning and installation of Riverfront Park were meticulously coordinated, involving close collaboration between various stakeholders.
Luck Ecosystems provided on-site support for the stabilized aggregate portion of the project, including material delivery and
hands-on troubleshooting to ensure success. The OLSA was delivered pre-mixed with water to streamline the installation process, ensuring proper hydration level and consistency and reducing potential errors.
The integration of historical cobblestones into the park’s pathways was a notable aspect, linking the contemporary design with the city’s historical fabric. This approach not only honored the historical context but also demonstrated the OLSA’s versatility in both modern and historical applications. John Irby from Luck Ecosystems noted that:
“STABILIZED AGGREGATE DOESN’T EXCLUDE THE USE OF OTHER MATERIALS AND IT DOESN’T HAVE TO TURN SITES INTO AN OVERLY MODERN LOOK – IT CAN BE USED TO HONOR THE HISTORICAL.”
The Riverfront Park project faced several notable challenges, each requiring innovative solutions to harmonize contemporary design with the site’s historical significance and environmental considerations.
1- Flood Resilience: The park had to be designed to withstand periodic flooding without significant damage. This required the use of durable, permeable materials and strategically placed drainage systems. Elevated areas and the integration of natural meadows helped manage stormwater and prevent erosion.
2- Contemporary Design in a Historical Context: Balancing modern amenities with historical elements was a critical challenge.
3- Above-Ground Utilities: Overhead wires disrupted views from the street to the river. Although it would have been ideal to place these utilities underground, value engineering decisions led to keeping them above ground, impacting the overall visual integration of the park with its natural surroundings.
4- Parking Lot Preservation: The preservation of an existing parking lot within the park was a requirement from the City Council. This interrupted the continuity of the meadow along the riverfront, impacting the natural flow and aesthetics of the park. This compromise was necessary to meet city requirements but presented a design challenge in maintaining the park's cohesive look.
Riverfront Park represents a harmonious blend of contemporary design and historical context, creating a space that is both innovative and respectful of its past. Despite the challenges of working within a floodplain, the project has been well-received by the community and stakeholders.
The use of Organic-Lock Stabilized Aggregate (OLSA) proved effective in achieving a durable, aesthetically pleasing surface that complements the park’s overall design. Maintenance of the OLSA area has been manageable, with no major issues reported even after minor flooding events.
Since opening to the public in 2021, the park has become a vibrant community hub, offering a variety of recreational opportunities. The integration of smart technology has enhanced the park’s functionality, making it a model for future urban park developments while maintaining ties to the rich history of the surrounding area.
Three years post-installation, the OLSA at Riverfront Park continues to provide a natural surface aesthetic while ensuring stability and erosion resistance. With no issues reported thus far after minor flooding events, the system has proven effective. As it remains in place over time, OLSA improves as the aggregate particles naturally consolidate and compact under weathering and traffic forces, enhancing its strength resilience. The true test of its durability will come with larger floods, which will highlight its long-term performance.
Rhodeside & Harwell – https://www.rhiplaces.com/fredericksburg
Luck Ecosystems – www.luckecosystems.com/
Organic-Lock – www.organic-lock.com
