Cincinnati's Central Riverfront is an outstanding riverfront facility. Located along the shore of the Ohio River just south of downtown Cincinnati, this mile-long linear park features many different spaces serving all segments of the region's population. Along with a unique design, it features award winning landscaping, a performance pavilion, concessions, an outdoor skating rink, eight outdoor tennis courts, three sand volleyball courts, a world class playground, a dynamic water feature, and many other attractions. Yeatman's Cove, a part of the Central Riverfront, is the site of the founding of Cincinnati.
The P&G Pavilion is known throughout the Tri-State region as a great place for free concerts featuring today's cutting-edge performers. In recent years it has hosted Meredith Brooks, Barenaked Ladies, Everclear, Monaco, The Temptations, Duran Duran, The Four Tops, The Coasters, REO Speedwagon, The Village People, Clint Black, The Charlie Daniels Band, 38 Special, and many others. The end-of-summer Riverfest celebration, held in conjunction with the Toyota-WEBN fireworks, attracts an annual crowd of 500,000 to the park and Northern Kentucky's river banks. It is a rare weekend during the summer when something big, exciting and free is not happening at the Central Riverfront!
The Bicentennial Commons at Sawyer Point is much more than a collection of recreation facilities and gardens. Every aspect of the design ties into the river that flows along its edge. All of the buildings were designed with lines and forms that suggest the gentle curves of the earth. They blend into the natural environment and appear to be a very part of their surroundings. A series of overlooks in strategic locations presents magnificent views of the river and historic points of interest and gives the visitor an opportunity to see the river from a variety of heights. Slender flagpoles reach toward the sun and display a variety of flags and special bicentennial banners. After dark, passive lighting lends a soft glow to the entire area.
Signs throughout the Central Riverfront commemorate and celebrate the historic roots of the park. Metalphotos, plaques and Ohio Historical Markers are placed throughout the park to remind the visitor of Cincinnati's river heritage.
This crown jewel of Cincinnati's riverfront was yesterday's blight of a scrap yard. Concerned, civic-minded individuals found such an enterprise a black eye to the city and took steps to correct the problem. The construction of Sawyer Point was aided by contributions from many organizations, groups, foundations and individuals. As you stroll through the Bicentennial Commons you will find many areas and gardens named after major funding contributors.
The Central Riverfront is open daily 6:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. year round. There is no charge to enter the park. Convenient low-cost parking is available at the park's main entrance, located at the intersection of 801 East Pete Rose Way and Eggleston Avenue.
The Waterfront/Special Events Division of the CRC is responsible for the operation, concessions, maintenance, and programming of the Central Riverfront, Special Events and Rentals at the park, Fountain Square Pavilion, The Showboat Majestic, The Cincinnati Riverfront Marina (transient boat docks), and Showmobile rentals and audio rentals.
