Placemaking
- Public Art
- Oxbow Preserve & Commons
- Riverfront Trail System
- Boating & Kayaking the Napa River
- Downtown Napa Pedestrian Wayfinding Signage
Napa Art Walk
The Napa Art Walk aims to enhance Napa's quality of life and support tourism by publicly exhibiting original, high-quality, sculpture from artists in the region. Download or print the Napa Art Walk Informational Brochure (PDF) or pick up a brochure at the Napa Valley Welcome Center in Downtown Napa.
Lighted Art Festival
Produced by the City's Parks & Recreation Department, the Lighted Art Festival creates stunning artwork as light displays are projected onto a variety of buildings throughout Downtown Napa and the Oxbow District. The festival is a public private partnership and supports innovative techniques using light and light technologies as a growing art medium.
City-Owned Public Art
While Napa has a variety of artwork visible in the public realm, the City’s Public Art Collection consists of early artworks commissioned by the former Redevelopment Agency along with newer artworks that have been created and installed since the development of the City’s Public Art Ordinance (2010) and the resulting Public Art Master Plan. You can view the Public Art Registry (PDF), or take a virtual tour of the city's permanent collection by clicking on this map.
Public Art Ordinance
In 2010, the Napa City Council enacted a Public Art Ordinance (please see Chapter 15.108 Public Art in the Napa Municipal Code). The Public Art Ordinance is intended to integrate public art into new non-residential private and public development projects throughout Napa. If applicable to the proposed development project, the ordinance requires developers to contribute to the public art program in one of two ways:
- by installing on-site public art equal in value to 1% of the construction costs of the development project. With this option, the public art is required to be integrated into the development plan whenever the plans are first drawn, or
- by making an ‘in-lieu’ contribution to the City’s Public Art Fund, which equals 1% of the construction cost of the project, for projects with a value of $250,000 or more. These funds are placed into the City’s “Public Art Fund,” which is used to select and install public art throughout the city.
The 1% public art requirement is administered by the City's Planning Division. For more information on this requirement, contact planning staff at (707) 257-9530.
Rail Arts District
In addition to the City's multiple public art programs, many private property owners have initiated public art installations. For example, the Napa Valley Vine Trail organization has installed several murals along their "Rail Arts District" along the City's Cross-Commuter Path that runs alongside the Napa Valley Wine Train tracks.
Oxbow Preserve
The City of Napa acquired 12.7 acres of land known as the Oxbow Preserve in March 2004 with assistance from Friends of the Napa River, the Trust for Public Land, and grants from the Department
of Water Resources Urban Streams Program and Resources Agency Proposition 40 River Parkways Program. These grants were given primarily for the restoration of existing riparian and wetland habitat.
This effort has resulted in the creation of Oxbow Preserve, a recreational amenity that allows all to experience the natural areas and habitats that the Napa River has to offer.
Oxbow Commons
Located between the First Street Bridge and the Oxbow Public Market, the Oxbow Commons is a City of Napa designated park and a recreational amenity created by the Army Corp of Engineers Flood Control Project. The project served to control floodwater conveyance during heavy rains. In dry months, the Oxbow Commons is a recreational gem, offering views of the Napa River and providing a meandering pathway that connects Downtown Napa to the Oxbow Public Market. Turf areas in Oxbow Commons Park are maintained to specifications as part of the flood protection plan for the City of Napa.
Riverfront Trail System
An extensive trail system along the Napa Riverfront adds to the character of Downtown Napa and provides recreational opportunities for both residents and tourists. On the east bank of the River, paved trails run north from Kennedy Park to Downtown Napa. While this trail segment currently ends at the Oxbow Commons, several groups are working with the City to connect this trail segment to the Napa Cross-Commuter Path, at Vallejo Street. This trail system is part of the Napa Valley Vine Trail, that connects Napa to other Napa Valley communities just north of Napa.
Boating & Kayaking the Napa River
The City of Napa provides four boat docks and one kayak launch for public use. Several of the facilities are accessible from the downtown area.
The Main Street Boat Dock
Located at the Riverfront on Main Street between 3rd and 5th Street downtown, the dock was dedicated in October 2013. The dock is a floating concrete dock that is 176' long and 10' wide. For public and commercial permits, please contact Tideline Marine Group or call 415-339-0196.
Jim Hench Memorial Kayak Launch
Located under the First Street Bridge at the Oxbow Commons, the Jim Hench Memorial Kayak Launch is an ideal location for recreational enthusiasts with kayaks and stand up paddle boards to launch and exit the Napa River. Oxbow Commons Bypass is a part of the Napa River Flood Protection Project completed in 2015 and provides a wonderful location to enjoy the river and downtown Napa. The launch consists of a moderate sloped concrete ramp that is best utilized at high tide.
Riverside Park Boat Launch
The Riverside Park boat launch is located at 100 Riverside Drive. It consists of a steep concrete launch that is best utilized at high tide.
Kennedy Park Boat Launch
Kennedy Park offers a variety of recreational amenities. The public boat launch offers a launch ramp for small boats and a dock. The dock is 100' long and 6' wide. Public use of the launch and dock is free.
Trancas Crossing Boat Launch
Trancas Crossing Park opened in 2011 and consists of 33-acres of open space park located at 610 Trancas Street. The park features trails, interpretive signs, restroom, parking lot and pedestrian access for hand boat launching into the Napa River. The boat launch is ideal for kayaks, canoes, and stand up paddle boards. Park hours are from sunrise to sunset.
For information on commercial use or launching at any public boating facility please contact the Parks and Recreation Services office at 707-257-9529
The Downtown Napa Association's "Pedestrian Wayfinding Signage Program" provides pedestrian signage that highlights downtown goods, services, and points of interest. As a replacement to traditional "A-frame" signs, these standardized pedestrian placards highlight the types of businesses that are known to be critical in attracting foot-traffic to Downtown Napa.
Merchants interested in participating in the program may contact Melodie Hilton signs@donapa.com.