Oronoco parks panel sends trail paving and court projects to city budget workshop

At its meeting, the Oronoco Parks & Trails Committee voted to forward a package of near-term and multi-year park projects to the city’s upcoming budget workshop. Members agreed the committee should prioritize trail paving in Riverwood Hills and River Park, short-term fixes and possible resurfacing for the River Park tennis courts, and concept planning for a basketball court at Memorial Park.

Committee members said Joe Palin will complete cost estimates and the group agreed to provide Jason a short summary of priority items before the workshop. The committee discussed organizing projects by 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year horizons to make budgeting recommendations clearer to council staff and councilors.

The motion to bring the projects to the workshop was moved and seconded and passed by voice vote. The meeting record shows members asked the chair to follow up with Kane in Public Works for short-term feasibility at River Park this summer and to confirm whether a temporary striping or painting solution is appropriate while larger resurfacing work is scoped.

Katie Dudley opened the meeting by reading the committee’s mission statement, noting the committee’s role “to protect and showcase the natural beauty of Oronoco, its green spaces, playgrounds, ball fields, and riverside areas while promoting outdoor recreation, environmental stewardship, and community well-being.”

Why it matters: the items the committee sent to the budget workshop include capital work that may require city funds, potential CIP allocation or grant support. Committee members referenced an earlier estimate in the roughly mid-five-figure range for similar paving work and asked staff to refine numbers for the council workshop.

Next step: the committee will deliver a brief written package for the June budget workshop and the chair will contact Public Works to confirm short-term options for River Park this summer.