Rockford Breaks Ground on Long-Awaited Davis Park Renovation

After more than three decades of planning, ground was finally broken on the renovation of Davis Park on the riverfront in downtown Rockford.

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This marks a major milestone for the city's only municipally owned downtown park, which is another step in revitalizing the heart of Rockford and creating a beautiful new space for the community.

A Legacy of Planning and Delay

The park was donated in 1989 by the Morris and Roberta Davis Trust, with the vision of creating a downtown festival space. Despite planning efforts in 1990, 1996, and 2016, real progress has been stalled for years.

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It all changed in 2018 when Mayor Tom McNamara established a task force, led by Go Rockford, to turn long-discussed visions into action.

Some early improvements included the demolition of the Lorden Building, adding floating docks, and getting community input through public meetings about the future of Davis Park.

Breaking Ground on Major Renovations

The newly launched phase of construction will deliver long-promised amenities:

• a universally accessible playground
• skate park
• performance stage
• concession and restroom facilities
• a new Riverwalk
• shoreline improvements
• public art displays

Work will begin immediately with the preparation of the site, landscaping, and facility construction, according to the press release.

This project honors decades of community vision while creating a welcoming, dynamic space that energizes the entire downtown. We are excited to see Davis Park come to life as a destination where people can play, gather, and enjoy all that Rockford has to offer. -Tom McNamara, Mayor of Rockford

The Rockford Area Venues and Entertainment Authority (RAVE) will oversee Davis Park, with programming supported by Legends Global following its 2024 merger with ASM Global.

The City of Rockford will manage daily operations and maintenance, which will ensure the park remains a central gathering place for residents and visitors to downtown Rockford.