Board hears positive public feedback on CIRPTA trail, reviews Southbridge trail punch list

Board members received updates Feb. 5 on two trail projects: the CIRPTA route and a large section of trail in the Southbridge Subdivision.

Parks Director Nick Schenck said a Jan. 20 public meeting about the CIRPTA trail route drew residents along the route and that public response was described as positive. He said the route has been revised three times at the request of the City Council and that the project includes a new trail section from Evans Park on 14th Street connecting to the Raccoon River Trail. Schenck said the project is expected to be bid in late June, with construction beginning after the Sweet Corn Festival in August.

On the Southbridge trail, Schenck reported staff performed a walk-through with contractor McAninch Corporation and identified remaining punch-list work: dirt piles leftover from initial excavation, grading touch-ups and some tree trimming. Schenck told the board it is important to complete those items before the city takes ownership of the trail.

Non-agenda items raised at the meeting included heavy recent use of the ice rink and a broader conversation about possible uses of the Water Tower Park site, including whether ball fields or an indoor community/recreation center would better serve year-round demand. City Administrator Tim Vick asked for additional time to work through the budget process and said he was optimistic progress could be made in the coming months.

Board members did not take separate formal action on the trail items at the meeting.