Phoenix Park
Reclaiming The Riverfront: Public Park Redevelopment Revitalizes Downtown Eau Claire
Development Completed in 2005
Phoenix Park might be one of the most recognizable spaces in Eau Claire today, but if you’ve lived here long enough, you probably remember when that stretch of riverfront was anything but a destination.
Before the park opened in 2005, the area was home to the remnants of rail lines and industrial operations that had left the land contaminated and underutilized. Fast forward to today, and that same riverfront is now one of the city’s most visited—and most beloved—public spaces. The transformation of this site didn’t just clean up an environmental mess either. It kickstarted a new era of riverfront development, drew new businesses and housing into the blocks nearby, and earned its place as a national model for turning brownfields into community assets.
For more than a hundred years, the area now known as Phoenix Park served as an industrial hub, home to Phoenix Steel, lumber yards, and a maze of railway spurs and sidings that supported the city’s manufacturing economy. But by the early 2000s, that legacy had taken a toll. The site was contaminated, vacant, and essentially avoided by the public, so the City of Eau Claire and the Redevelopment Authority (RDA) decided to take action.
Recognizing both the environmental risks and the opportunity to reconnect the community with its rivers, the City partnered with state and federal agencies to clean up and repurpose the site. Brownfield remediation funds from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency played a big role, as did Tax Increment Financing (TIF), which helped cover upfront costs and incentivize future investment.
Phoenix Park was the first major project in the North Barstow Redevelopment Plan—a long-range vision for revitalizing downtown Eau Claire. From the start, the plan prioritized walkability, access to nature, and creating a mixed-use district where people could live, work, and play.
• Early 1980s-Early 2000s: Planning and site acquisition
• 1991-2002: Environmental assessment and cleanup
• 2003-2005: Design and construction
• 2005: Official opening
Project Cost: $10.5 million
This includes costs related to land acquisition, environmental cleanup, infrastructure improvements, park design, and construction.
The redevelopment of Phoenix Park was shaped by several key goals, each designed to bring new life to this high-potential space along the river:
1. Reclaim & Remediate a Brownfield Site
Before anything else could happen, the land needed to be cleaned up. That meant removing pollutants, dismantling old rail infrastructure, and restoring the site’s environmental health. This step set the foundation for everything that came after.
2. Create a Premier Public Gathering Space
The city saw an opportunity to create a one-of-a-kind park that would host events, foster community, and bring people downtown on a regular basis, not just during special occasions.
3. Reconnect Downtown with the Rivers
Instead of turning its back on the riverfront (like many cities had done), Eau Claire wanted to embrace it. That meant designing spaces that invited people to walk, bike, and explore along the Chippewa and Eau Claire Rivers.
4. Catalyze Private Investment
A beautiful park alone isn’t enough. The goal was also to spur new housing, commercial development, and cultural destinations around the park to create an ecosystem where public and private investment could reinforce each other.
5. Promote Long-Term Economic & Environmental Sustainability
This wasn’t a quick fix. From the start, Phoenix Park was meant to be a lasting asset—one that would protect the rivers, support a growing population, and evolve with the city over time.
Project Features
Phoenix Park officially opened in 2005, and it didn’t take long for the community to embrace it. Here’s a closer look at some of the features that have made it such a standout space ever since:
Multi-Use Amphitheater
The centerpiece of the park is its circular amphitheater, which offers a uniquely interactive and acoustically strong setting for events of all kinds. Whether you’ve attended a summer concert, dance performance, or community rally here, you’ve probably felt how the space brings people together in a way that’s both intimate and lively.
Farmers Market Pavilion & Plaza
One of the park’s most beloved features is the covered pavilion that houses the Eau Claire Downtown Farmers Market. On market days, the space fills with energy as vendors set up shop and shoppers browse for local produce, flowers, baked goods, and handmade crafts. The design allows the market to operate rain or shine and supports small business owners throughout the growing season.
Extensive Trail System
From the beginning, connectivity was a major priority because the park sits at the heart of Eau Claire’s extensive trail system, linking to the Chippewa River State Trail and several citywide bike and pedestrian paths. For many residents, Phoenix Park is now their starting point for a morning jog, a bike ride to work, or a stroll with friends on a sunny afternoon.
River Overlooks & Shoreline Restoration
The redevelopment didn’t just clean up the site; it improved it. Along the banks of the rivers, naturalized plantings and stabilization work helped reduce erosion and improve water quality. These efforts also created beautiful overlook points where people can pause, reflect, and reconnect with nature right in the middle of the city.
Public Art & Landscaping
Phoenix Park is filled with art that tells Eau Claire’s story, from sculptures celebrating our industrial roots to pieces inspired by local culture and nature. The landscaping, which features native species and colorful seasonal plantings, makes the space feel alive and ever-changing. And architectural lighting adds to the ambiance, especially in the early morning and evening hours.
Bridge Connections
Two pedestrian bridges—one spanning the Eau Claire River and another across the Chippewa—help connect the park with key destinations like the Pablo Center, Haymarket Plaza, and the rest of downtown on the west side of the Chippewa River. These bridges make it easy to walk or bike between neighborhoods, businesses, and cultural attractions without needing a car.
Four-Season Use & Winter Amenities
Phoenix Park isn’t just a summer destination. The design includes open trails, maintained walkways, and lighting that supports year-round use. Even in the colder months, you’ll find people cross-country skiing, walking dogs, or enjoying festivities and winter photo sessions along the snowy riverbanks.
Bicycle Infrastructure & Racks
To make biking easier and more inviting, the park includes ample bike racks and trail signage. Whether you’re riding to work, stopping at the farmers market, or joining a group ride, it’s easy to access and secure your bike here.
Event Infrastructure
Behind the scenes, the park is built to handle large events. Electrical hookups, vendor zones, and space for food trucks help support everything from the Sounds Like Summer Concert Series to Food Truck Fridays. It’s all designed to make events flow smoothly while still keeping the park beautiful and accessible to the public.
Wayfinding & Interpretive Signage
Visitors to the park can learn about the history of the site, the ecology of the rivers, and the story behind the redevelopment thanks to thoughtful signage throughout the space. These educational elements make the park not just a destination, but also a learning experience.
Economic Impact of the Project
The redevelopment of Phoenix Park sparked something much bigger than just creating green space. It was the beginning of an entire redevelopment strategy that has benefitted Eau Claire in these ways.
- Spurred Over $100 Million in Private Investment
The park has helped change perceptions of downtown Eau Claire and paved the way for major developments like JAMF’s headquarters and the Phoenix Park Neighborhood. It also played a central role in the decision to locate the Pablo Center at the Confluence.
- Increased Commercial & Residential Property Values
Homes and businesses near the park have seen a significant boost in value, which has significantly strengthened the city’s tax base and helped to justify the use of TIF funds to fund the redevelopment project.
- Laid the Foundation for Future Projects
The success of Phoenix Park has helped build momentum for major projects like The Confluence Project and The Sonnentag Center. It showed that well-designed public space can anchor broader urban transformation.
- Boosted Small Business Growth
With more foot traffic and more reasons to visit downtown, small businesses have flourished in the area surrounding the park. It’s now common to see people grab a coffee before a concert, shop after the farmers market, or head to dinner after a stroll on the trails.
- Expanded Tourism & Cultural Appeal
Phoenix Park has become a destination in its own right thanks to its year-round event schedule and natural beauty that attract thousands of visitors annually, supporting local hotels, restaurants, and cultural venues.
- Increased Demand for Downtown Living
With beautiful river views and easy access to trails, the park has made the area highly desirable to new residents, leading to a wave of new housing developments like the Phoenix Park Neighborhood, Haymarket Landing, and B7 Flats.
- Activated Underused Space with Year-Round Programming
Where there was once a vacant industrial lot, there’s now a vibrant gathering space that’s used every day of the year. From yoga in the park to night markets and holiday events, Phoenix Park is always in season.
- Strengthened Downtown’s Identity as a Creative & Cultural Hub
Through concerts, art installations, and community festivals, Phoenix Park has helped reinforce Eau Claire, Wisconsin’s identity as a city that values creativity, connection, and culture.
- Enhanced Eau Claire, Wisconsin’s Brand as a Livable City
The park has been regularly featured in tourism materials, relocation packets, and site selection tours for businesses considering Eau Claire, positioning it as one of the city’s signature assets.
What started out as an effort to clean up a forgotten corner of downtown has blossomed into one of the most celebrated riverfront parks in the state. And as Eau Claire continues to grow, Phoenix Park remains a blueprint for how thoughtful design, community involvement, and environmental stewardship can shape the future of our city.