Two acres of Waterworks Park set to reopen after 25-year closure

support for the reopening, as did Mayor-elect Andre Dickens.

Friends of Waterworks has advocated returning the land to the public for more than decade.

“Friends of Waterworks is grateful to the Upper Westside Improvement District for taking the lead on moving the fences back,” said Friends of Waterworks co-chair Chris LeCraw. “Opening the hilltop has been a successful public, private and philanthropic effort, and we hope to continue to grow our relationship with Watershed to open even more of the Waterworks.”

In 2018, UWID and Friends of Waterworks were instrumental in transforming fourand-a-half acres on the northwest corner of Northside Drive and 17th Street into public greenspace. In June, Park Pride awarded a $100,000 legacy grant to create a waterthemed learning landscape and amphitheater on the site.

Residents, business leaders and planners have identified the waterworks campus as a solution to the lack of greenspace, which is reflected in local planning documents, including the Upper Westside masterplan.

Work was expected to begin at The Hill in December, with accessible sidewalks and a crosswalk at intersection of Howell Mill and 17th Street.