Wildwood draft master plan for Curtner Park recommends modest amenities, trails and limited parking
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
City staff and an ad hoc group presented a draft master plan for the donated 27-acre Curtner Park that prioritizes natural-surface trails, limited parking, ADA access and a small pavilion, officials said.
An ad hoc group and city staff presented a draft master plan for the donated park property (referred to in meeting materials as Curtner Park) that emphasizes preservation, modest amenities and mostly unpaved hiking trails. The staff presentation described the site as about 27 acres with two ponds, several outbuildings (a bank barn, chicken coop and sheds), and remnants of a demolished single-family home.
The draft plan centers on natural-surface trails, a small central parking area (staff estimated 7—69 spaces), ADA-accessible paths around the restored fields, a two-table pavilion and a dock on the larger pond. Director-level staff said most trails would remain unpaved; paved, ADA-compliant paths would connect the parking area to the pavilion and field overlooks.
The draft is slightly over the project budget: the plan's cost estimate is $1.045 million compared with a budgeted $1.0 million. Staff said that amount includes grading, an accessible restroom, the pavilion, paving for the parking and the ADA paths. The city's consultant suggested salvaging materials where feasible; staff said the bank barn is not structurally sound and likely must come down, although usable materials may be reclaimed for reuse.
Public and commissioner questions focused on trail uses and potential equestrian or bicycle access. Staff said the group currently leans toward hiking-only natural trails and that equestrian or cycling access has not been finalized. Commissioners asked whether the park would permit equestrian access if a connection to nearby Greensfelder/Gresnville Park were built; staff said any such connection would require signage and rules to prevent unintended uses.
Next steps: the planning-and-parks committee reviewed the draft and indicated it would forward the plan to city council provided no substantive objections are received during the outreach period. Staff also plans a targeted mailing to abutting property owners and will continue refining engineering drawings before putting the project to bid.