$2.7M Civil Rights Walk Coming to Riverside

Riverside is getting a landmark pedestrian trail — and it’s fully funded by the state.

The Riverside City Council has unanimously approved a $2.7 million Civil Rights Walk that will connect 24 historic civil rights sites throughout Downtown Riverside. Construction is set to break ground in May 2026, with a ribbon-cutting planned for fall of this year.

The trail will feature two loops — a core Downtown route and an expanded outer loop stretching to the Peace Tower on Mount Rubidoux, the original Press Enterprise building, and Harada House. Each of the 24 stops will include three-sided informational pillars created in collaboration with the Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California, the Museum of Riverside, and the Riverside Public Library. The monuments will incorporate historical photographs, archival newspaper clippings, content at children’s eye level, and QR codes linking to a multilingual city website.

Beyond the educational markers, the project includes significant pedestrian infrastructure improvements: reconstructed sidewalks, curb ramps, accessible pedestrian signals at 10 intersections, high-visibility crosswalks, and new LED warning signage.

For Riverside residents and homebuyers, this project adds measurable value to the Downtown neighborhood — increasing walkability, tourism, and community identity in one of the Inland Empire’s most historically rich corridors.

Sources: Raincross Gazette (raincrossgazette.com) | The Riverside Record (riversiderecord.org)