Explore the Future of Topeka’s Riverfront

A place to play, connect, and grow. Discover the spaces and activities coming to life along the Kaw River.

River Experience at a glance

Enjoy miles of walking and biking trails, open spaces for recreation, and water sports like kayaking and canoeing.

Experience local art and culture through public art installations, performance spaces, and community events.

From markets to festivals, the riverfront will be a place to gather, celebrate, and enjoy Topeka’s vibrant community.

Enjoy waterfront dining, cafés, and entertainment venues for the whole family.

Key Riverfront Areas & Experiences

Downtown Riverfront

The downtown riverfront will be a place about daily life. It’s a place where people can live, work, and play. It’s a place to gather and celebrate. Sitting atop the levee is a place for all ages and backgrounds to enjoy while looking out over the beautiful Kaw River.

Downtown Riverfront

The downtown riverfront will be a place about daily life. It’s a place where people can live, work, and play. It’s a place to gather and celebrate. Sitting atop the levee is a place for all ages and backgrounds to enjoy while looking out over the beautiful Kaw River.

North River Access

Access is crucial for people to be able to experience the joy of the Kaw River safely. With ample space between the levee and Kaw River, opportunity exists to establish a boat ramp for canoe & kayak launch, staging area, and places to sit along the river.

North River Access

Access is crucial for people to be able to experience the joy of the Kaw River safely. With ample space between the levee and Kaw River, opportunity exists to establish a boat ramp for canoe & kayak launch, staging area, and places to sit along the river.

North Passive Park & Pedestrian Bridge

Using the existing flat area between the levee and the river, will be places for people to informally recreate and enjoy plantings of native grasses and flowers. It will be a place to be immersed in nature, but in the middle of Topeka.

North Passive Park & Pedestrian Bridge

Using the existing flat area between the levee and the river, will be places for people to informally recreate and enjoy plantings of native grasses and flowers. It will be a place to be immersed in nature, but in the middle of Topeka.

Pedestrian Bridge

The proposed 1,100ft long pedestrian bridge is located approximately where the Oregon Trail crossed the Kansas/Kaw River and is on axis with the Kansas State Capitol to the south and the Great Overland Station to the north. The design aims to provide safe and inspired connection between downtown Topeka and NOTO. The bridge design is inspired by it’s physical and historical context: the braided river, covered wagons, and fish and birds of the area.

Downtown Levee District

The downtown levee district will utilize the space located between Crane St and the levee. A series of shared use open spaces connect directly to the existing Topeka street grid creating gathering nodes that expand the urban fabric to the river.

These open spaces are linked together via a park that sits atop and behind the existing levee, creating a vibrant riverfront that stretches from the Kansas Ave bridge to the Topeka Blvd bridge.

Features include:

Kansas Ave Connector

Riverfront Development Opportunity

Downtown Riverfront Plaza

Kaw River Overlook

Topeka Blvd Connector

Downtown Levee District

These open spaces are linked together via a park that sits atop and behind the existing levee, creating a vibrant riverfront that stretches from the Kansas Ave bridge to the Topeka Blvd bridge.

Features include:

Kansas Ave Connector

Riverfront Development Opportunity

Downtown Riverfront Plaza

Kaw River Overlook

Topeka Blvd Connector

Kansas Ave & Riverfront

Located on the south bank around the area of Kansas Ave & Riverfront

At-grade bike/ped path connecting park & bridge

lush plantings & seating

Pedestrian plaza for markets, retail, and connection

Integration of nature, water, and seating

Downtown Riverfront Plaza

Located on the south bank centered between Kansas Ave and Topeka Blvd

Active cafe & retail space at park edge

Shade structure with swings

Plaza with plantings, seating, play elements, & lighting

Welcoming space flanked by active commercial space

Kaw River Overlook

Located on the south bank Close to Topeka Blvd

Maintain existing laid stone & native plantings

Active cafe & retail space at park edge

Path and Promenade for pedestrians & cyclists

Pedestrian Connections to Topeka Blvd Bridge

NOTO District

The north bank of the Kaw River and NOTO District creates opportunities for new developments along the north side of Curtis Street leaving substantial open space between Curtis Street and the Kaw River for public open space to activate the riverfront.

The flat areas along the north shoreline provides opportunities to incorporate new boat access points with space for people to enjoy the river and space for people to park their vehicles after putting in their canoes and kayaks.

There is ample space and trails for people to explore nature and have passive recreation throughout the year. The mature trees along the riverfront should be maintained as they offer beauty and shade to the riverfront. This space is designed with limited amenities so it can accommodate occasional flooding that will have limit impact on use of space once flooding resides.

Spaces for programming are located along Curtis Street and the north park edge outside of the levee to create an active edge to NOTO and the river. Programming for art, markets, entertainment, and play will bring a unique vibrancy to the north bank.

Features include:

Kansas Ave Connector

NOTO Plaza

Great Overland NOTO Landing

Kaw River Access

Art Plaza

Recreation Rentals

Topeka Blvd Connector