Commission reviews Tanner Ridge park: accessibility, signage and limited parking cited as constraints

Commissioners reviewed Tanner Ridge Park and identified accessibility, parking and signage as the primary constraints to increased public use. Staff told the commission the 9.1-acre neighborhood park currently has a playground installed in 2005, a soccer net, a ball field and a public trail that connects the development to the downtown area. The commission discussed potential upgrades, ADA access improvements, and outreach to the homeowners association.

Why it matters: staff said Tanner Ridge ranks as the 10th-largest of 27 city parks and that limited parking and a private HOA trail segment constrain future large-scale upgrades. Adam said the park's playground is scheduled for replacement in 2030 in the city's parks master plan and recommended making the playground area ADA-compatible by extending the hard border to the trail and reconfiguring surfacing where feasible.

Details of the discussion: - Park size and features: staff said Tanner Ridge is about 9.1 acres, with a playground (installed 2005), a ball field and a soccer net. Parking is limited to street stalls and several parking stalls in the lot; staff estimated short parking capacity at each end of the site (about five cars on each end) and noted roughly one acre was used for a city well house. - Accessibility and ADA: staff suggested moving the playground perimeter to provide a concrete trail access that meets ADA recommendations, and adding benches and seating where space permits. - Signage and wayfinding: multiple commissioners said the park is difficult to find from the street and recommended better wayfinding (entrance signs, trail connection markers and a clearer parking-area sign on the north side). One commissioner reported talking with the HOA representative Lucas and said HOA feedback was generally positive. - Use levels and alternatives: commissioners said the park appears underutilized; staff said a local soccer group uses the net occasionally. Commissioners suggested that, if the city's larger sports complex is completed, the city should review whether all existing small ballfields remain necessary.

Next steps: staff will continue outreach to the Tanner Ridge HOA, include potential signage and ADA adjustments in the city's parks work plan, and revisit the private trail connection with the landowner in about two years or if ownership changes. Commissioners emphasized public engagement when the playground replacement (planned for 2030) moves into design and budget phases.