Without a zipline or water taxi, Tempe Town Lake redesign ideas requested again

TEMPE, AZ (AZFamily) — Over five years after its mayor promised water taxis and a zipline across Tempe Town Lake, the City of Tempe is looking to revamp the lakefront once again.

Tempe is now taking proposals to add to the amenities at the city’s lakefront. The City is looking for ideas that “support outdoor athletic, recreation and adventure activities with an emphasis on the northern shore.”

Submissions are asked to include a revenue sharing component and be privately funded with a goal of providing regionally distinct, impactful and attractive experiences for park and lake users.

The new Rio Salado Master Plan will provide a roadmap for improvements in the area for the next 20 to 30 years.

Tempe Town Lake and its surrounding parks support over 2 million visitors each year, according to Tempe officials, and have over 135 acres of open space and recreation areas.

This is far from the first time in recent years that Tempe has looked to redesign this land. In November 2019, former Mayor Mark Mitchell announced on Good Morning Arizona that the area would get water taxis and a zipline that stretched from the north to the south end of the lake.

And in 2021, Tempe made a community request for ideas to improve the lakefront. Some top responses included a zipline, observation tower, rock wall, bungee jumping and an off-lake FlowRider or surf pool.

Now five years later, none of those amenities were added, and the City once again looks for suggestions from the community that uses the lakefront each day.

Submissions are accepted through 3 p.m. on Aug. 1.

While accepting idea submissions, the City will also look for a design partner to help plan the recreational redevelopment.

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