Riverside is the kind of neighborhood where the sidewalks tell stories — from murals that brighten the streets to little local boxes filled with handmade treasures. It’s a place where creativity and connection come together, making this walkable community feel even more like home.
In the heart of Riverside, art isn’t just seen — it’s shared. From painted walls to park corners, every detail reflects neighbors shaping the space they love.
That’s the goal of placemaking — turning everyday spaces into gathering places that bring people together.
“Placemaking is making places feel more like home for the community, and it’s a place for creativity, community and connection,” said Kandice Clark, who helps lead the Riverside Placemaking effort.
Clark and her team have reimagined everything from parks and roundabouts to overlooked corners of Riverside and Avondale — adding lighting, playgrounds, and local art depending on what the community says it needs.
“It can be as simple as putting trash cans there or adding art and playgrounds,” she said. “It just depends on the needs and wants of the community.”
That focus on connection is what makes Riverside stand out. Even small projects, like The Little Local Box, help neighbors share and discover handmade goods and art.
“It’s our effort to bring the community and artists together,” Clark said. “You give and you take — and people have really invested in making sure it’s filled with great things.”
Walk through Riverside and you might find honey for sale on a neighbor’s porch — even if no one’s home — or a free book that’s old but new to you. It’s that sense of belonging that keeps the neighborhood’s character alive.
“I still remember trick-or-treating all around this area,” said Mike Morgan, a former resident. “There was always a sense of community. We would walk everywhere — not everybody had two cars per family.”
For new residents, that same walkable charm is part of what draws them in.
“The minute I stepped off the plane my first visit, I couldn’t get over how relaxed and friendly it felt,” said Becky Caesar, who now calls Riverside home. “It’s very safe and very walkable — with restaurants this way, and Five Points over in Avondale.”
Old memories meet new energy here — a neighborhood where creativity thrives and community comes first.
“My overall goal for this neighborhood is to make it a better space for people who live here, but also people who love it here,” Clark said.
In Riverside, connection isn’t just an idea — it’s a way of life.