Council tables Riverside Park $500,000 grant request over flood, maintenance concerns

Councilors on Monday discussed a $500,000 Outdoor Recreation grant application for Riverside Park in Elgin and agreed to postpone action while staff provides more detail on design, maintenance and match obligations.

Staff said the grant request totals $500,000 and that the city match was listed as $185,000 in cash and $185,000 in staff time. A council member raised concerns about how proposed park features would survive high water, saying, “we’re gonna wipe out our part, and we’re gonna have to start all over.” Another member urged clearer plans for ongoing upkeep and coordination with Public Works before committing funds.

Supporters noted the park would increase river access and attract visitors. “I mean, I think river access is important to the public,” one council member said during debate, adding that limited public access exists along much of the valley’s riverfront.

After questions about whether the city would need to buy equipment to meet the in‑kind match and whether county or TRT funding could count toward the match, a motion to table the request and revisit it in six months passed. The motion was made by Committee member (S1) and seconded by Committee member (S4). The council did not adopt any design or funding commitments at the meeting.

The council directed staff to consult with Public Works and county partners, clarify which expenses count as in‑kind match, and return with engineering and maintenance plans before the application proceeds.