The Riverside City Council has taken their first steps toward construction for an improvement project at Railroad Park.

During their regular meeting on Monday, Axiom Consultants presented the council and members of the public with the final outline for the plans and specifications of new amenities at the park. They include a soft-fall material on the playgrounds, updates to playground equipment, additional parking along River and Hickory streets, and a six-foot wide perimeter walking path with mile markers. Following a public hearing, the council voted to move forward with the plans and with construction anticipated for March or April, weather permitting. 

City Administrator Christine Yancey says that the council began meeting with the Planning and Zoning Committee over a year ago to begin working on the plans. One item the council is still working on is determining what trees to remove and leave at the park. She added that the biggest concern is a birch tree on an island in the parking lot and removing the tree would add additional parking spaces. The council hopes to have the project finished before Trekfest in June. If it is not completed by that time, construction will clear the area for the event and wrap up by August 18th. The council is currently putting the project out for bid. Axiom Consultants estimates the total project cost at around $367,500 coming out of the city’s capital project funds.