River Access Master Plan presented; council and residents press for prioritization and safety measures

DuBois & King landscape architect Dan Mallach presented the Barre City River Access Master Plan, describing a community‑driven process that identified 10 potential access sites, offered design templates for four illustrative locations, and provided planning-level cost estimates for paths, benches and signage.

"The goal of this Barrie City River Access Master Plan is to remove barriers to the enjoyment of our rivers for all Barrie residents and visitors," Mallach said, summarizing the project’s inclusive outreach and design principles. He told councilors the firm prepared cost estimates and a toolkit so sites can be implemented incrementally; Mallach noted a sample planning estimate of roughly $134,000 per site for paths, plantings and furnishings, while stressing that initial steps could be signs and benches rather than full buildouts.

Councilors and residents asked for a prioritized short list tied to funding opportunities and FEMA buyout timing; several members urged focusing first on city‑owned properties such as Spalding High School and Scampini Square. One councilor raised safety concerns about remote access points on Rotary Park and other secluded spots, saying, "I don't wanna bring my kids, because it's just not safe," and asked planners to factor maintenance and safety into prioritization and design. Friends of the Winooski and the River Access Collective pledged to help fundraise and support implementation.

Presenters said the VORAC/VOREC grant will support continued outreach through March and noted coordination with SLR engineers and FEMA buyout work could unlock early implementation opportunities.