The National Aquarium in Baltimore, US, is to build a US$5.4m waterfront park.

The aquarium, in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), announced its plans for a publicly-accessible waterfront park on its property on the Patapsco River.

When purchased in 2007, the 12.5-acre development site was a brownfield site, created by filling a shallow flat in the river with construction and demolition debris from various projects around the city. The remediation work was the first of a phased development process slated for the property.

“Just over two years ago, we stood in this same spot to present the National Aquarium with a US$200,000 EPA Brownfields check,” said EPA regional administrator Shawn Garvin. “Here we are today with our partners recognising that this site — instead of languishing as a polluted, empty lot — will now become part of a growing economy and a true asset for the community.”

The work will continue with the development of a publically-accessible waterfront park. The park will include public access to the waterfront with native plantings, trails, a pier, and four overlook areas where people can sit and view the Patapsco River.

The trails will eventually connect to the Gwynn’s Falls hiking and biking trail, providing a link between this waterfront and downtown.

The park will be developed by the City of Baltimore, and is expected to be completed by Spring 2011.