DAYTON — Construction and landscaping crews are working six days a week to transform the vacant asphalt lot at East Monument Avenue and North Patterson Boulevard into the final phase of RiverScape MetroPark.

The $6.5 million project to open June 28 will include a pavilion with a stage and covered seating for festivals and community events. The pavilion also will house an ice rink that is 50 percent larger than the one at RiverScape’s plaza and allows for an expanded skating season.

A new bicycle hub will include secure bike storage, showers and lockers.

“It really contributes to the quality of life in Dayton when you can offer something like this,” said Lydia Sowles, a park planner for Five Rivers MetroParks.

RiverScape has become a “gathering place for the city,” averaging around 400,000 visitors a year since 2001, said Charlie Shoemaker, MetroParks executive director.

The expansion will allow for more consistent programming because of the roof structure, and encourage use of the bike trail system for both commuters and recreational cyclists, Shoemaker said.

The project was largely funded by a $5.18 million federal transportation grant secured in 2005 by U.S. Rep. Mike Turner.

“RiverScape has been an important asset to downtown Dayton and our riverfront,” Turner said.

Construction will be completed in May, but the final phase won’t open until June 28 to allow the landscaping to establish.

The CityFolk Festival on July 2-4 will be the pavilion’s first big public event.

“Any community would be proud to have a facility as useful and as attractive as this one is going to be,” said John Harris, Cityfolk executive director.

Cityfolk will use the new structure in place of both the festival’s family stage and dance pavilion, saving the nonprofit group thousands of dollars in tent rental fees, Harris said.

Previously, Cityfolk didn’t start main stage performances until 4 p.m. because the open blacktop was “blazing hot,” Harris said. “Now we’ll be able to start programming earlier and the audience members will obviously be a lot more comfortable,” he said.

MetroParks’ Ranger Law Enforcement Division will have an increased presence at RiverScape. “They will have an outpost on site so that we can protect the community’s investment and make sure that people feel safe,” Shoemaker said.

Shoemaker hopes RiverScape’s final phase will help spur further economic development downtown. “We know it’s not the savior in and of itself, but it’s very much a key part of creating an environment that’s attractive for business, for residents, to retain some of the young talent that we have in this community,” he said.