Parks group proposes river access, disc-golf trail fixes and low-cost amenities

Cindy Powers, representing the Parks Project volunteer group, briefed council on proposed improvements that grew from an earlier parks master-plan survey. Powers said river access and trails were consistently ranked high by residents and described a rough draft trail alignment to improve circulation around the disc-golf area while avoiding vulnerable drainage corridors.

Powers identified several washouts and missing disc-golf markers and tee boxes that the group wants to restore, and she proposed adding benches and a pet waste station at mid-trail locations. She said the group walked the proposed trail with Commissioner Jeri Don Moss and a landscape architect would be used to flag low spots to avoid future washouts.

Council and county staff discussed maintenance logistics. A county representative said the county can schedule up to $15,000 of maintenance work per project if the city provides a formal request, and county crews can help with erosion repairs and limited grading. Council members asked about trash pickup and long-term maintenance; Powers said the group will look for a closer location for a waste station if truck access is a problem.

Powers noted a preliminary cost estimate for the trail-related items was roughly $25,000 for the specific park additions discussed, and that prior full proposals had previously been estimated higher (near $95,000) because older designs assumed larger-scale work. Council asked staff to coordinate designs and funding options and to include the park items in upcoming capital planning discussions.