Their initial project led to the adoption of a plan to convert the dry riverbed into a meandering urban park. Beginning with that effort, Tempe's Rio Salado Project is the culmination of more than three subsequent decades of study and planning. The 72 acres of linear park will provide bicycle and pedestrian paths, in-line skating, roller skating and picnicking. Hundreds of citizens and more than 25 government agencies have been involved with developing this local and regional urban attraction. Environmental groups have joined forces to provide urban habitat for native plant and animal species.
Public art ranges from stand-alone monuments to a large tile mural.
Designed by hundreds of citizens over the past four years, the mural is installed on a freeway wall, creating a ribbon of the past, present, and future of the Salt River. Planned residential developments will allow their residents to work and recreate near where they live, reducing traffic and increasing the quality of life in Tempe. Rio Salado Park, surrounding the lake, will provide a link to the lake for planned resorts, restaurants, condominiums, entertainment venues, and retail shops. Also included are 30 color slides, a postcard of the Rio Salado Project, four brochures on Tempe and its attractions, a flyer on boat cruises on Tempe Town Lake, one on Rio Salado's art, and a Visitor's Guide to Tempe, Arizona.