Cheetah Lake work to start in late October; North Shore bank repair will close trail for about a week

City staff told the Parks Advisory Committee that construction at Cheetah Lake is scheduled to start in late October and will focus on utilities, sidewalks and internal trails, with some scope reduced to fit the budget.

“Work will be starting late October. We've already, awarded the, CMGC contract in Knife River,” a city staff member said.

The work plan calls for bringing utilities from Wyrick into the park, installing a restroom, constructing accessible (ADA) parking spaces on the park’s north lot and converting planned concrete multiuse paths to asphalt to reduce costs. Staff said much of the visible work will be surface-level, but a large share of spending will be underground for utilities and storm drainage preparation; the city intends to leave some parking areas as gravel and prepare the site so paving can be added later if funds become available.

The project will include electrical work and site preparation for an eventual stage area. Staff said the plan will create a flat, serviceable pad and electrical hookups so organizers can bring a portable stage for concerts and events, but full stage construction is not in the current budget.

The committee also heard details about a separate North Shore bank repair. City staff said the City of Albany submitted drawings to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and received approval for a bank repair blueprint. Albany will supply some materials; Lebanon will provide other materials and labor. The repair is scheduled to begin the week of Oct. 6 and could take about a week, but may spill into the following week. During that time the trail section from Teeter Lake Park to the fingers will be closed and machinery will be moving on site.

City staff said they will coordinate fencing, signage and other means to discourage people and pets from entering the canal, and will try less intrusive measures before installing signs. The staff member noted the city must keep lake and canal levels coordinated with Albany to avoid bank pressure.

During public comment, resident Sharon Franklin raised park maintenance concerns, including fireworks debris after July 4 and an overhanging fruit tree that blocks a trail entrance. She also noted vandalism costs to equipment. Franklin said, “It would be lovely if there was a play structure there,” when discussing Porter Park, and separately told the committee the fireworks debris problem persists.

Staff warned that some elements, such as lighting and paving, may be reduced or phased because bid prices came in higher than expected. They said the team is using value engineering with the contractor-manager-at-risk structure to refine what will be built now and what can wait for later grants or capital budgets.

The city also acknowledged ongoing maintenance challenges on park trails and amenities and said volunteers and partners have helped with cleaning and repairs. Staff thanked local volunteers and noted a donated, self-propelled leaf blower will be added to the city inventory for trail maintenance.

The committee asked for updates on schedule and closures; staff said they will provide follow-up details as construction approaches.

Less-critical details: staff said paving of the River Park Trail is scheduled in phases (paving one week and concrete the next) and that some storm-drain infrastructure may be installed now so paving can occur later.