After decades of dreams, Port Orange to reveal Riverwalk Park

PORT ORANGE — Standing in the bone-dry splash pad at Riverwalk Park, Hassan Saboungi grabbed one of several colorful waterspout fish heads and twisted it toward a park bench. He grinned mischievously.

"It would stop," he said of the stream of water designed to shut off when the fish face the bench. He grinned wider when he explained why: "So you can't spray your parents."

Saboungi, vice president of Saboungi Construction, is excited about finally getting the chance to unveil his company's work, the long-awaited second phase of Riverwalk Park. A few major water connections were still being made, he said, and his team has been finalizing some other last-minute details.

"But the park itself? Done," Saboungi said of the more-than $3.6 million project.

After more than two decades, the city will host a $26,000 shindig Saturday celebrating both the park's completion and the city's 150th year. Starting at 3 p.m., and sponsored solely by area businesses, organizers and city leaders say the event promises live music, history shows, food trucks, events and crafts and a fireworks display to top it all off. In addition to the splash pad, the park at the corner of U.S. 1 and E. Ocean Avenue, includes a new playground, picnic areas, an event lawn, concession area, pavilions and walking trails.

'Like it used to be'

Councilman Bob Ford, whose District 1 territory covers the park, can't wait.

"How delighted I am to see something so long in the making," Ford said. "It's been dynamic. It's been all sorts of disagreements and then finally to come together and get it done. ... It's going to be good. And, you know, it's joining Port Orange once again to the river where it started."

Ford says people are already inquiring about hosting events at the park and he is hoping the city can bring back summer fireworks shows and water skiing competitions to the river.

"Like it used to be," Ford said. "It's going to be exciting."

Slate of events

Since January, the city has been celebrating its 150th year in bits and pieces, but the park opening is expected to highlight the birthday. Two stages will host entertainment, awards ceremonies and presentations by local historian and history teacher Joseph Vetter and other re-enactors. Here's the lineup:

• 3 p.m.: Welcome ceremony
• 3:15 p.m.: The Founding of Port Orange and High School STEM Awards presentations
• 3:45 p.m.: The Seminole Indians
• 4:15 p.m.: Pioneer Life
• 4:30 p.m.: Ribbon Cutting and speeches by area leaders, Mayor Don Burnette, U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis (R-Palm Coast) and state Sen. Dorothy Hukill (R-Port Orange)
• 5 p.m.: Florida in the Confederacy
• 5:30 p.m.: A Yankee Perspective
• 6 p.m.: Trivia and prizes
• 7 p.m.: Fireworks

Along with all the festivities, there will be live music by Orlando-based Orange Avenue and Kansas City-based DJ Kirby. The city is also handing out an anniversary ornament denoting the town's 150th year to the first 500 people to arrive while Sandy Point Progressive Sports hosts a free stand-up paddleboard rental. At 3 p.m., Home Depot will host a children's do-it-yourself crafts table while supplies last. The park is just north of the Dunlawton Avenue bridge, next to the Riverside Pavilion at 3431 S. Ridgewood Ave.

For more information, call 386-506-5868.