Riverside’s Riverfront improvements lead the way to 2026

RIVERSIDE, Mo. — Heavy machinery and countless piles of dirt prepare the unused space of today into the Live Nation Amphitheater of tomorrow near Interstate 635 and Horizons Parkway, across the street from the KC Current training facility.

That project and the KC Current Training Facility across the street were two of the first most visible steps in what’s meant to be a much larger string of redevelopment projects in Riverside.

“We are trying to develop destinations,” said Riverside Mayor Kathy Rose.

Rose and other Riverside officials were at E.H. Young Riverfront Park asking the public for feedback on potential upgrades to that location.

“We’re asking them to really imagine some kind of wow factor so people would want to come,” said Rose, referring to E.H. Young Park.

The sentiment is true farther west where the Missouri River dips south and runs along a seven-mile trail that leads to Parkville.

Besides the KC Current facility and the Live Nation Amphitheater construction, there isn’t much south of 635 besides the trail and wide open greenspace that Rose and developers have their eyes on.

“I’m not opposed to just about anything that brings people,” Rose said.

At E.H. Young Park, that could be additional attractions and better facilities, improving upon $3 million in improvements that Rose says the city made three years ago.

Visitors like Matt and Kathy Young say they like the location as it is where they can walk their dog.

“Maybe an extended trail to Parkville,” Matt said. “A walking trail all the way to join the Parkville Trail.”

That is one of the big ideas in the works but Rose knows the clock is ticking to connect the trail and attract other big development.

The KC Current Training facility is favored to be picked as a basecamp for a World Cup Team in 2026, drawing in that country’s fans for a month.

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