Eagle council pauses Heritage Park renovation after months of design work, schedules follow-up meeting

Eagle City Council on March 11 paused a planned decision on the proposed renovation and expansion of Heritage Park — a project that city staff estimates at roughly $3 million — after sustained public comment and questions from council members about tree removals, loss of downtown parking and the cost and scope of a new splash pad.

City staff led by Nicole Baird Spencer presented a 90%-complete design on the downtown park at State Street and Second Street, describing a rebuilt restroom and mechanical building, a new shaded plaza area, relocation of park signage, rescaled and replaced trees, and an updated splash pad. “We are replacing 18 trees at this time in this concept onto the site,” Spencer told the council during the presentation, referring to trees that would be removed and a larger replanting plan intended to restore canopy over time.

The project has been in the city capital program since 2021 and the city has set aside $3 million in the capital projects fund for construction. Staff said the splash pad alone is currently budgeted at about $630,000. Staff presented a tentative schedule that included advertisement for bids in late March, a bid opening April 15, a notice to…