In 1978, the acquisition of two water lots at the foot of Emilie Street precipitated a request from the Plan Commission in 1980 for the Park and Recreation Department to initiate plans for expansion needing considerable mapping of land use as recommended in the Comprehensive Plan.
Preliminary development guidelines were formulated by the Planning Department in 1983 to establish waterfront easement criteria. The Official Map was amended to show a 50’ wide riverfront parkway from 80’ north of Doty Street to 60’ south of Stuart Street; the proposed alley leg to the east of the river to Washington Street to be vacated; and the southerly 60’ of the alley that runs between and parallel to Washington Street and the Fox River, and from Doty Street to Walnut Street to be vacated.
In 1998, the City purchased land north of the Chamber of Commerce from WPS to continue the riverfront walkway.
In 2004, the Northeastern Wisconsin Arts Council requested to place an art sculpture along the Fox River. The $25,000 cost was funded with CDBG funds and was originally part of a Leadership Green Bay project.
On August 22, 2000, the City Council approved developing the City portion of the Fox River Trail from East Mason Street to Porlier Street connecting that development with the development of the trail by the County.