The ‘crown jewel’ of Wilder would be a secret no longer with these ambitious plans – Soapbox Cincinnati

Fredericks Landing in Wilder has a long history, going back to its construction by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1965. Back then, it was designed as a flood zone to hold back the waters of the Licking and Ohio rivers.

Its been a park for decades with a playground,boat launch, picnic tables, and a shelter. The federal government transferred ownership of the land to Wilder, a city of 3,000 people, in 2004.

City officials now have ambitious plans for Fredericks Landing envisioning it as a focal point of the citys redevelopment. High on the priority list is a $1.4 million amphitheaterthat would be the scene of concerts and other events to bring people to the park.

Fredericks Landing is really the crown jewel of Wilder, sayscity administrator Terry Vance. Its a hidden secret for most people unless you boat.

The project received a big boost recently with the award of a $250,000 state grant. The Land and Water Conservation Fund grant provides money to help construct the new community amphitheater as well as the surrounding improvements that need to be made, such as enhancementsto parking, sidewalks, lighting, landscaping, and underground utilities to support the new structure.

In 2018, Wilder officials surveyed residents and had a comprehensive plan drafted that was called Growing Wilder: Envisioning Tomorrow. City leaders saw a need to attract new residents and businesses to the city and encourage those already there to stay.

The plan prioritizes land use that encourages outdoor recreation and community gatherings over theproliferation of businesses such as convenience stores and bank branches.

Included in the plan is a dining establishment that would overlook Fredericks Landing and the Licking River and a splash park.

The state grant will provide the impetus to move forward on the project because the money must be used by the end of 2022, according to Vance.

Wilders grant was the largest of four made in Northern Kentucky from the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The others were:

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The 'crown jewel' of Wilder would be a secret no longer with these ambitious plans - Soapbox Cincinnati