A new City of Bradenton park is now open at the corner of 2nd Avenue East and 14th Street East in Bradenton. This tranquil park provides stunning views of the Manatee River, a Little Free Library, educational panels, and public art. The completion of this park is the first phase of the Riverwalk East expansion project. The path connecting this park to the current Riverwalk will be complete early 2023. A grand opening celebration, coordinated by Realize Bradenton with support from Florida Humanities and the Knight Donor Advised Fund at the Manatee Community Foundation, will take place on Saturday, September 10 from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm. The celebration will begin at 11:00 am with remarks from Mayor Gene Brown, a blessing by Brother Jerry Wicker of Manatee LIFE Church, and a closing by Rev. Daphney Towns, director of the Back to Angola Festival. Mayor Brown will invite neighborhood children to assist in the ribbon cutting, officially opening their local park. Opening remarks will be followed by musical performances from the Manatee High School Band, Erol Oz, and Combo Fusion. Educational presentations will be provided during the event by Professor Uzi Baram and Vickie Oldham sharing information about the freedom seeking community of Angola, and Ryan G. Van Cleave and Don Brandes discussing the creation of the children’s book, “Old Manatee A to Z”.  Additional activities and information will be provided by: City of Bradenton Community Redevelopment Agency, Central Cafe, Florida Humanities, Manatee County Libraries, Manatee Village Historical Park, Reflections of Manatee, and United Way Suncoast. Parking for the event will be available at Manatee LIFE Church at 315 15th Street East, Bradenton, FL 34208. Handicapped parking will be available on the edge of the park on 14th Street. The complete Riverwalk East expansion project was designed by Kimley-Horn and constructed by NDC Construction Company.