City completes bank-stabilization projects at Sunflower Park and Walnut Creek; Gulfview and North Walnut slated for winter work

Kristen, a staff member, reviewed recent and planned bank-stabilization work along Walnut Creek and at Sunflower Park. She said RW Excavating completed the Sunflower and Walnut Creek bank work in early spring, addressing vertical banks close to trails and sanitary sewer infrastructure and employing methods including bendway weirs, longitudinal stone toe protection and seeding for vegetative stabilization. The combined cost for those completed sites was about $400,000, Kristen said.

Staff provided before-and-after photos showing reshaped banks, riprap at the channel bottom, and vegetative seeding at the top of slopes; Kristen said some trees near the edge had to be removed at Sunflower Park but that efforts were made to keep root structure where possible to stabilize banks and provide habitat. She explained that low flows deposited fine sediment where water energy had been redirected toward the banks; the installed features aim to push main flows toward the channel center and reduce undercutting.

The city also issued bids for additional stabilization at Gulfview Park and Walnut Creek (North Walnut). Nagel Construction won those bids; the combined work was budgeted at just over $500,000. At Gulfview Park the plan includes "tree topping" for trees nearing end of life so their stumps and roots remain to help bank stability while removing canopy risk. Staff said they will send neighborhood notices explaining the tree work and the rationale for preserving root structure.

Kristen said bank-stabilization projects are technically challenging, often dependent on seasonal conditions, and sometimes require deferred work (e.g., trail realignment or delayed planting) until spring. No council votes occurred; staff said pre-construction meetings and winter scheduling are expected for the newly awarded contracts.