Let's talk about Riverwalk expansion

I have a long, wonderful relationship with Riverwalk.

For years, I recall Bradenton city leaders discussing plans for the area along the southern bank of the Manatee River called the "sandpile."

But when I took that first tour of Riverwalk, before it opened to the public in October of 2012, it surpassed my highest hopes.

The 1.5-mile park overlooking the Manatee River quickly became a frequent destination for my wife and me, as well as our dogs. Our dogs love Riverwalk almost as much as we do.

Today, Riverwalk serves as a beautiful gathering place for people of all ages and backgrounds.

And dogs. Lots of adorable dogs.

Riverwalk enhanced nearby neighborhoods and goosed economic growth via higher property values, new apartment buildings and restaurants.

Now, Riverwalk is being expanded east:

Along the shoreline of the Manatee River, between Ninth Street East and 14th Street East, and a proposed connecting walkway, between Manatee Memorial Hospital at Second Street East and Ninth Street East.

The expansion, which will take visitors inland around Tarpon Pointe to Manatee Avenue before returning the riverfront, will also include Manatee Mineral Spring Park, formerly Indian Spring Park, at Second Avenue East and 14th Street East.

Kimley-Horn, a planning and design consulting firm, has been contracted by the city to develop a master plan for the expansion of the Riverwalk.

Realize Bradenton, the nonprofit organization that produces events on Riverwalk including the annual blues festival, is working with Kimley-Horn and the city to coordinate citizen feedback.

Realize Bradenton anticipates the Riverwalk expansion will be a boon for east downtown Bradenton just as it has been to the west, and will collect ideas through community conversations.

"These ideas will be balanced against site limitations, scheduling, and other conditions during the final design of the expansion," reads an email from Realize Bradenton.

Here's how you can join the conversation:

Complete a short survey at bit.ly/bradentonriverwalk by Feb. 13.

Learn more by visiting createbradenton.com.

Participate in-person at the Bradenton Farmers’ Market on Old Main Street on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Participate in-person at Manatee United Methodist Church (315 15th St. E., Bradenton) 6 p.m. Jan. 25, Jan. 30, and Feb. 1. 

Live outside Bradenton? How about taking what you learn back to your city leaders and offering suggestions for similar waterfront parks, because, really, we do not need more condos.

Yes, I'm looking out my office window in downtown Sarasota.

Crossword puzzle error

Due to a production error, the crossword puzzle that ran Jan. 11 on page 70 of Ticket appeared already filled out with the answers. Several steps have been taken to safeguard against this happening again. Ultimately, it's my responsibility for the content being correct in Ticket and I apologize for the inconvenience. Also, a big thank you to those who emailed or called with an attitude of understanding and sense of humor about the mistake. 

Have a suggestion for a great place to eat, drink, play or stay in Southwest Florida? How about a pop culture topic? Email me at wade.tatangelo@heraldtribune.com. You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.