The Albany Riverfront Park now has a new name! A portion of The Corning Preserve formerly known as Riverfront Park was renamed Jennings Landing last week in honor of Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings.
The official dedication ceremony was held last Thursday, July 18th, in the middle of a special Alive at Five concert celebrating Mayor Jerry Jennings and all he’s done for Albany. The concert included a special dedication ceremony, fireworks, live entertainment, t-shirt giveaways, a photo booth, and a signing of the commemorative mural for the Mayor.
City workers installed the new Jennings Landing signs on the premises the day before, in a press event.
After 20 years of Mayor Jerry Jennings’ dedicated service to the City of Albany, common council members adopted a resolution to recognize him and “rechristen” Albany Riverfront Park as Jennings Landing. It’s a fitting touch, since Mayor Jerry Jennings himself led the development of this 5-acre area of the Corning Preserve before its opening in 2002.
Ever since, Riverfront Park been a hub of cultural events including the Alive at Five Concert Series, the Albany Riverfront Jazz Festival, and the Albany Father’s Day Concert.
It’s a very nice gesture but often hard when popular places are renamed. Remember how long it took us all to convert from calling the Pepsi Arena the Times Union Center? Do you think the name will stick, or will creatures of habit continue to refer to the park as Riverfront Park? What do you think?
