<P> In March 1989, Tempe adopted the Rio Salado Master Plan which represented the culmination of more than 20 years of environmental land planning . Studies of water quality and usage, the Mill Avenue Bridges and ASU recreation ensued and programming began . A groundbreaking ceremony near Tempe Beach Park marked the beginning of construction of the river channelization . The Rio Salado Master Plan showed a Town Lake concept with a continuous body of water between the north and south shores . Previously, the lake concept included islands; this concept was modified to meet the flow capacity of the river channel . </P> <P> In 1995, the City added more staff to the team dedicated to the Rio Salado project and began construction of a mile long bike path along the south bank of the river . The path features public art at a number of spots along the way . The city began the Town Lake design report and completed another financial capacity study and landscape designs for portions of the parks . The next year, the consultant completed construction drawings for the Tempe Town Lake and the City designated 800 acres (3.2 km) of area including the lake as Rio Salado Park . On March 19, 1997, requests for bids were sent out for the lake construction . The city awarded contacts for construction of the lake on June 12, and groundbreaking ceremonies were held on August 8 . </P> <P> Water from the Central Arizona Project (CAP) started flowing into Tempe Town Lake on June 2, 1999, and by July 14, the lake was declared full . On November 7, Tempe Town Lake was opened to the public . </P> <P> Originally built in 1931, Tempe Beach Park was completely renovated in 1999 as part of the construction of Town Lake . The park connects to the five miles (8.0 km) of paths for bicycling, jogging or in - line skating that circle Town Lake . </P>

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