Newly-remodeled Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park opens

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The remodeled Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park in Tampa is finally open to the public.

It features tennis courts, picnic areas, playgrounds, and open-areas.

This was a dream of Mayor Bob Buckhorn's for nearly 20 years and after years of construction, it all became a reality.

Hundreds packed the new grounds, while kids of all ages got to test out the new equipment.

It wasn't hard to tell the renovated space was scoring big with park-goers.

Brooke Edell lives right across the river. She's been watching the project's progress for the last two years.

"It's exciting! When we moved here there was nothing but bushes and some trees and we have a memory for each one of these spots, so for it to be replaced with this is just amazing," Edell said.

Jake Krehbiel was the project manager for the company who built the park. He says this park has the amenities of many others, rolled into one.

“It's got a great lawn, three times the size of Curtis Hixon for big events, and the play and splash area are twice the size of Curtis Hixon and Waterworks,” Krehbiel explained.

Kids looking to cool off on a hot Florida day will have no problem when the splash pad’s dump bucket tips.

"I like that they've geared it toward family and young kids. We're playing checkers! haven't played this in 20 years," Edell said.

Food trucks, concerts, and a fireworks show highlight the remainder of the grand opening weekend.