Consultants to tour river parks; public meeting scheduled for master plan

Staff updated the board that the River Parks master‑planning consultant team will be in town for site tours (trolley stops and walking visits) and for a public meeting to gather initial input. The board was encouraged to attend the public meeting scheduled Tuesday 5:30–8:00 p.m. at the convention center/city council chambers. SKG was identified as the survey lead and the team includes a partner focused on ecology and waterlands, the Black Land Conservancy.

Why it matters: The master plan will shape long‑range decisions for the riverfront, including how flagship amenities such as Kids Kingdom fit into a broader vision for park investments and maintenance.

What to expect: The upcoming public meeting is an early engagement session; consultants will later return for further outreach as the plan advances. Staff asked board members to forward any available meeting format information to the board and to participate in the site tour and public meeting if possible.

What’s next: The board may use consultant outputs to refine the Kids Kingdom recommendation and the proposed capital package to present to city council.