Consultants with the Barry Dunn team presented final recommendations for Riverside’s parks and a natural resource management plan at the Village Board meeting Thursday, outlining eight goals that will be phased into a multi‑year implementation plan.

The presentation, given by Elsa Fisher and consultant Steve (Barry Dunn team), followed a year of public engagement, surveys and a February visioning session. Fisher said the recommendations are intended to be implemented by village staff and that, “This is your project. These are your recommendations. Your staff is gonna implement them.”

The nut graf: The plan groups actions around improving park access and amenities, prioritizing replacement of aging playgrounds, reimagining indoor programming spaces, evaluating a future community hub, tightening programming priorities before adding new offerings, and adding a part‑time marketing and communications position to improve outreach. It also includes a supplemental natural resource management document with guidelines for Swan Pond and Indian Gardens and village‑wide sustainability initiatives.

Consultants highlighted four park‑related goals first: 1) improve access through trail connections and clearer definitions of active versus passive spaces; 2) add amenities such as picnic shelters and consider higher‑cost items (spray pads, pickleball) where demand and budget align; 3) prioritize playground replacements (consultants noted “your four primary playgrounds” are largely past useful life under state criteria); and 4) pursue external funding, including the state Open Space Land Acquisition Development grant referenced in the presentation, to support capital work.

On facilities, the consultants recommended updating the Scout Cabin with accessibility improvements (work that staff said is already budgeted) and conducting a feasibility study to reconfigure underused spaces at the water tower. They also recommended evaluating larger recreation or community hub opportunities tied to the village’s planned public safety building and the future release of Fire Station 2.

The natural resource management plan segment categorized existing conditions—emphasizing Swan Pond and Indian Gardens as riverfront natural areas with floodplain, wetland and upland woodland components—and provided a table of management guidelines to be applied flexibly year to year based on resources and changing site conditions. Steve noted the plan also “expands out beyond parks and recreation” to recommend sustainability measures such as dark‑sky compliant lighting, energy efficiency, and green infrastructure (rain gardens, bioswales, permeable pavement).

Consultants asked the board for feedback and recommended the full report be finalized in Word, circulated to the Parks and Recreation Board for review, then formatted for presentation; they expect final approval in June. Fisher and consultants said the report will be phased into a 10–15 year implementation timeline depending on funding and priorities.

Ending: Trustees praised the work and involvement of the parks and recreation board and staff; staff said they will route feedback through department leads and return with a phased implementation plan and finalized report for board approval in June.