The Napa RiverLine (RiverLine) is a transformative community initiative designed to
enhance access to and enjoyment of the Napa River. Envisioned as a scenic, water-
oriented walkway inspired by world class trail and waterfronts such as the New York
Highline and Tampa Riverwalk, the RiverLine aims to support the river’s habitat while
providing environmental, recreational, social, historic, and economic benefits to the
community and region. As the Napa region faces growth and climate pressures, the
RiverLine exemplifies responsible stewardship, aligning with the “Living River Objectives”
to reimagine the critical role of the Napa River.

The RiverLine project stems from a collaboration between stakeholders from The Oxbow
and the City of Napa. While the flood control project led by the Napa County Flood
Control & Water Conservation District is integral to the project, the RiverLine and the
Flood Project are two separate and distinct efforts led by different organizations. The
nexus is the river trail, which the City and the newly-formed Napa RiverLine Advisory
Committee are working towards a cohesive vision for the riverfront.

The RiverLine project requires collaboration among numerous stakeholders, including
public and private entities. This collaborative effort ensures the project’s design,
accessibility, programming, and long-term sustainability meet the community’s needs. By
enhancing the area’s natural beauty and creating a sustainable recreational space, the
RiverLine will improve residents’ quality of life and support a vibrant riverfront. The
community is encouraged to stay engaged and subscribe to project updates to ensure the
RiverLine reflects Napa’s distinct culture.

To stay up to date with the project, check back to this site and sign up for project updates:

The Vision

Updates

• Survey #2 is now closed! Thanks
  for providing valuable feedback to
  the project team.
• The project’s Community Open
  House held on January 25, 2025
  was a resounding success, with well
  over 100 people attending! Thanks
  to all that participated to be a part
  of the conversation. Couldn’t make
  it? Check out the Open House
  Boards.

View of the RiverLine Community Open House

held on 1/25/25 at CIA Copia.

Guiding Principles

The following ideas guide how the Napa RiverLine will rethink the Napa River as one integrated system:

Project Background

The Napa RiverLine Advisory Committee (Advisory Committee) is
championing the RiverLine concept from the private and
community side. The committee consists of local business,
nonprofit, and government leaders with a track record of
advocating and developing catalytic projects such as the Living
River Oxbow Bypass concept for community benefit. The Friends
of the Napa River (FONR), an advocacy group focused on
environmental stewardship of the river, has helped form and is
continuously engaged in the Advisory Committee.

The Advisory Committee stems from working with the Oxbow Task
Force, which was established to tackle key issues important to the
Oxbow. The ultimate goal of the Advisory Committee is to form
into a non-profit that seeks to continue the work outlined in the
RiverLine plan, in collaboration with public entities. This non-profit
is still in its infancy stages and envisioned to take form over 2025.
The following members have been instrumental in forming the
Advisory Committee and the work done since inception to bring
this project to fruition:

The Napa RiverLine Advisory Committee

Advisory Committee Members

• Steve Carlin (Oxbow Public Market)
• Gabe Carlin (Oxbow Public Market)
• Tom Bensel (CIA-Copia)
• Phill Blake (FONR)
• Chuck Shinnamon (FONR)
• Francie Winnen (FONR)
• Gordon Huether (artist)
• John Salmon (in memoriam)
• Ryan Gregory (engineer and planner)
• Chuck McMinn (Vine Trail)
• Alonso Corona (Napa County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce)
• Craig Smith (past Downtown Napa Association Director and
  river advocate)

Public Agency Advisors

• Councilmember Beth Painter (City of Napa- District 2)
• Supervisor Joelle Gallagher (Napa County- District 1)
• Neal Harrison (City of Napa Economic Development)
• Brendan Hurley (City of Napa Economic Development)

Project Team

A Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) was
established to help set the stage for the project, shape
its outcomes, and coordinate efforts along the Napa
River. The TAC is made up of a variety of public agency
staff that has influence in the future development of the
project. The TAC is intended to provide context on the
“box” the project can influence, input on design
standards, and guiding river improvements at the
beginning of the project.

The Napa RiverLine Advisory Committee is a private
group that is championing the RiverLine concept from
the private and community side. The committee consists
of local business, nonprofit, and government leaders
with a track record of advocating and developing
catalytic projects such as the Living River Oxbow Bypass
concept for community benefit.

City of Napa:

Community Development Department

Economic Development Division - Brendan Hurley
project manager

Project Design Lead:

SWA Group - Landscape Architecture and Planning

https://www.swagroup.com/

Subconsultants:

BAE - Urban Economics and Real Estate

https://www.bae1.com/

Acorn Environmental - Environmental Planning

https://www.acorn-env.com/

Project Timeline

The following timeline relates to the RiverLine Strategic Plan. This Plan will provide design and policy guidelines for the
long-term implmentaion of the RiverLine project.

The following documents were produced as part of the RiverLine Project:

• RiverLine Open House Boards (1/25/2025)
• City Council Project Update Presentation (12/17/2024)
• Stakeholder Project Overview Presentation (9/5/2024)
• Napa River Environs Diagram (2023)

The following documents provide supporting background information for the RiverLine Project:

• UC Berkeley Student Project (2023): Oxbow Site Analysis
• UC Berkeley Student Project (2023): Final Presentation
• Napa RiverLine Project Brochure (2022)
• Oxbow Current Conditions Analysis (2021)
• ULI Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) Oxbow Report (2018)
• Napa River Parkway Plan (2005)