BATH — A waterfront park is coming to Bath in the spring of 2017.

Historic Bath Foundation board members met Friday morning for the official groundbreaking of the Bath Creek Public Park. The future park will occupy the vacant lot located at the foot of the Bath Creek bridge, abutting the restaurant Blackbeard’s Slices & Ices.

Bounded by water on two sides, the park will feature a fishing pier, a kayak launch, meandering paths and benches beneath the shade of live oaks.

Historic Bath Foundation members became concerned about the future use of the land after a commercial project — a multi-storied building with stores, motel rooms and offices — was proposed, according to Gene Roberts, HBF vice president.

“We had long been worried about this lot,” Roberts said. “There was a lot of concern, a lot of discussion eight years ago to turn this land into a strip mall.”

When the property, appraised at $175,000, came on the market two years ago, HBF stepped in.

“Our aim, in addition to the recreational value, is to ensure forever that Bath has a scenic entrance when you come across the bridge from Washington,” Roberts said.

North Carolina’s oldest town is undergoing several beautification projects. In addition to HBF’s park, the Greater Bath Foundation, in partnership with the Town of Bath and North Carolina Department of Transportation, spearheaded the planting of live oaks and crepe myrtle trees on the main thoroughfare though town.

TJ’s Marina Construction has been contracted to construct the piers; Garden Classics, the walkways and landscaping. Both businesses are based in Beaufort County.

“The plan is to have it fully constructed this year,” Roberts said.

HBF President Surry Everett thanked fellow board members for seeing the project through.

“We hope that this will help the town and the people in it,” Everett said.

A celebration is being planned for the park’s opening next year.