Chippewa Falls (WQOW) - The city of Chippewa Falls hopes to add more green space, but getting there is no walk in the park. Plans for a new park have been in the works for five years, and tomorrow Chippewa Falls Vision 2020 will host a meeting for public input.
"The idea of having a nice welcoming area I think is wonderful," said Chippewa Falls Vision 2020's Debra Johnson.
The city has been buying land along the Chippewa River, from Bridge Street to Main Street, and the plan is to use that land for a new park.
"Something like a Phoenix Park in downtown Eau Claire, which has been so popular, and so embraced by the community is something we'd like to see here in Chippewa Falls," Johnson said.
Because of the location next to the river, the land Chippewa Falls plans to use for its new park comes with a few limitations.
"It's all on the floodplain, so we're not going to be building buildings down there, or a lot of structures. It's going to be more trails, access to the river that we haven't enjoyed to date," said Chippewa Falls City Planner Jayson Smith
The city is hoping that by having residents fill out an online survey or come to a meeting, the community will be able to decide how the new recreational area can best be used.
"We're going to be hiring a consultant to work with us that does landscape architecture and riverfront planning, things like that. We will be inviting the public to participate, give us their ideas and everything, and ultimately the result will be adopted at some point by the city council," Smith said.
"We have Irvine Park, which is fantastic. But a little extra park here, a little more green area and welcoming, a nice look to the city as you come in is a brilliant way of improving Chippewa Falls," said Johnson.
The public meeting will be tomorrow at the Chippewa Falls Visitor Center from 4 to 6 p.m. There is also a survey you can fill out online before you go. Click here for the survey.
