It's been quite a while since I've walked around Riverscape in Downtown Dayton. Almost three years. Yikes! I decided it was time to check it out again, this time with camera in hand (it IS one of the MetroParks that I can cross of the list of needing to visit).
It was an absolutely gorgeous day (more beautiful blue skies with cottony clouds, but I'll spare you those pictures), a bit on the hot side, but with a nice breeze. I spent about 35-45 minutes walking around, and that was enough.
I was lucky to get a pretty good parking spot (at a meter, which is free on the weekends) close to an intersection and just across the street from Riverscape.
I'd never seen plumeria growing before - it smells heavenly!!
Kayaking on the Great Miami is becoming more and more popular . . . I kind of want to learn, but am a little leery of having to learn how to flip the kayak.
The water fountains for the kiddies to play in; I've seen it when it's been timed to music, which the kids really enjoyed. There were quite a few kids, but I timed it to NOT get them in the picture . . . don't want to be mistaken for anything other than a photographer!
A little bit of Dayton history, especially since I've previously written about the 1913 flood. Amazing that a log cabin managed to deal with the flood waters better than the more modern buildings.
This pavilion is where the entertainment is held - concerts, etc. during the summer. I'm also assuming it's where the ice rink is in the winter (can't think of another area large enough to accommodate one).
I took this photo for the "weather vane." Love the idea of one of the Wright brothers hanging on so the wind won't blow him away.
I liked this photo for a couple of reasons: 1) Some of the older architecture that has managed to survive; and 2) you can see where the river is and how high it had to rise just to barely flood the immediately surrounding streets. Add another 7-8 feet (at a minimum; the pictures of the flood at its peak have the water almost to the top of the lampposts) to get an idea of how severe the flooding was.
I liked how the Queen Anne's Lace was growing out of the retaining wall.
Kayaks available to rent . . . not today for me, but possibly at some point . . .
There were several poems by Paul Laurence Dunbar inscribed on the sidewalk. This one is entitled "To The Miami" (click on the underlined link to be able to read the poem). Dayton has long been known as the birthplace of aviation, but there are many authors, poets, and inventors from the city, including Paul Laurence Dunbar.
This display is in recognition of the computer search engine and Lexis Nexis, both originating out of Dayton, Ohio.
I think this is my favorite view of this sculpture - it appears that one of the Wright brothers is flying the plane right out of the tree.
Any of us who have enjoyed a beverage in a can with a pop top have Ermal Fraze to thank. While not a native of Dayton, he had moved to Dayton and started Dayton Reliable Tool & Manufacturing Company before obtaining patents on the original ring pull can and the currently used push-in, fold back tab. We salute you, Mr. Fraze!!
The grounds at Riverscape have beautiful landscaping. This view shows a nicely shaded area that's almost a retreat from the busy-ness of the street and businesses close by.
Beautiful roses . . .
This is the bottom of one of the towers for the fountains. It shows how high the water reached in 1913 (figure the door show is probably around 6-7 feet tall).
This sculpture isn't part of Riverscape proper, but is so close I had to include it. This is titled "The Incorruptable Cashier" in recognition of NCR (National Cash Register, or to many Daytonians, The Cash), which until recently was a proud Dayton business. It has since moved out of the state. Sigh. The keys at the front indicate the amounts to press from $0.01 at the far right all the way to a whopping $20.00 at the far left!
A Dayton history lesson of sorts, revisiting the 1913 flood and some of the amazing inventors from Dayton, plus pictures of older architecture, sculptures, flowers, cooling waters, and kayaks. What more could you ask for on a Saturday toward the end of June? A nice cold beer in a can, complete with sincere gratitude to Ermal Fraze! I'll have to settle for a Diet Dr. Pepper in a can to salute Mr. Fraze, but it might be followed by an ice cold bottle of beer . . . or vice versa!
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