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Maumelle officials propose concrete boardwalk and pavilion upgrades at Lake Valencia
Summary
Design consultants and city staff said the Lake Valencia boardwalk and pavilion are in significant disrepair and proposed replacing the timber boardwalk with prefabricated concrete decking and a metal pavilion; the project is one of six on the bond ballot and would be funded only if voters approve Question 1 and the project question.
Design consultant Dave Roberts, who lives in Maumelle and works with Craft Hall, told residents that the existing wooden boardwalk and pavilion around Lake Valencia have required repeated repairs and partial replacement over three decades and are now in poor condition. Roberts said the boardwalk decking has been replaced "two and a half times" in the last 32 years and showed images of warped planks and spot repairs. "We have a problem with this boardwalk and something needs to be done," he said.
Roberts described a proposed upgrade to a prefabricated concrete deck with a single-side metal handrail, a metal pavilion with lighting and improved electrical service, and some site improvements such as fountain repairs. He said the proposed system would last about 50 years with minimal maintenance, contrasting with the regular man-hours required to maintain wooden decking.
During questions residents asked whether the estimated $3.2 million covers only the boardwalk or also trail extensions. City staff clarified the $3.2 million proposal covers replacement of the boardwalk, pavilion and associated site work (electrical, fountain, immediate connections) but does not include an extended trail across the road; connections from the new decking into adjacent parking and sidewalks are included. If approved in March, staff said funding would likely be available in July–August and prefabricated sections could be installed later that year.
Staff also cited safety incidents as justification for replacement: they reported at least one fishing-derby participant fell through the boardwalk and at least one child required stitches after tripping on a warped plank. The city framed the project as part of the active transportation master plan to improve pedestrian and bicycle connectivity in the civic core.
Next steps: the boardwalk project is listed as Question 6 on the ballot and will proceed only if voters approve both the refunding Question 1 and the specific project question; staff encouraged residents to review project images and FAQs on maumellebond.com and to attend upcoming meetings.
