The City of Tempe is asking residents to weigh in one last time on conceptual designs for the Tempe Town Lake north bank, a project officials say will shape recreation, access and ecological restoration along one of the city’s most visited public spaces. The final round of community input will include a virtual meeting, an in-person open house and an online survey open through Sept. 13.
What the project covers
City planners describe the north bank design project as the next step in implementing the Rio Salado and Beach Park Master Plan, adopted by Tempe City Council in 2018, which set a 20- to 30-year vision for the area. The current process focuses on concept designs that reflect public feedback previously gathered on priorities including:
- Recreation — new or improved opportunities for people to use the park;
- Multi-use pathways — routes for pedestrians, cyclists and other users;
- Ecological restoration — measures to improve habitat and the health of the waterway;
- Enhanced programming — events and activities that activate the waterfront;
- Connection to the waterway — better physical and visual links to Tempe Town Lake;
- Public art opportunities and a parking needs assessment.
How residents can participate
City officials have scheduled a trio of ways to review the design evolution and share feedback on the final recommendations. The sessions are intended to give residents a clear look at how earlier input shaped the concepts and to capture any final comments before the designs move forward.
| Format | Date & Time | Location / Access |
|---|---|---|
| Virtual meeting | Tuesday, Aug. 25 — Noon | Register for the Zoom meeting (tempe.gov/forum) |
| Open house | Tuesday, Aug. 25 — 5–7 p.m. | Tempe Center for the Arts, Lakeside Room, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway (parking garage west of the venue; bring ticket for validation) |
| On-demand info & online survey | Beginning Aug. 25 — comments accepted through Sept. 13 | tempe.gov/forum |
"Your voice matters."
Planners say the project will produce concept designs that also identify potential construction costs, phasing strategies and funding opportunities. Those elements will help city leaders and residents understand what implementation could look like over time.
Why this matters to Tempe
Tempe Town Lake and its surrounding parks are a focal point for recreation and tourism in the city. Changes to the north bank would affect daily commuters who use multi-use paths, neighborhood residents who rely on nearby green space, and event organizers who program the waterfront. The inclusion of a parking assessment indicates city officials are also evaluating how design changes may influence vehicle access and demand.
Because the project builds on the Rio Salado and Beach Park Master Plan, it represents a step toward the longer-term vision adopted by the council in 2018. Residents who take part in the Aug. 25 sessions can expect to see how earlier public ideas were incorporated into the evolving concepts and can help shape priorities before designers finalize recommendations.
City materials encourage anyone with an interest to participate in the virtual meeting, attend the open house at the Tempe Center for the Arts, or submit feedback online. Parking for the open house is available in the garage directly west of the venue; attendees should bring their parking ticket inside to be validated.
Additional information on the Tempe Town Lake north bank design project, and links to register or access the online survey, are available at tempe.gov/parks and tempe.gov/forum.
