Flooding seen north of the city has found its way to at least one city park.
Amid high water volumes, eroded banks along Root River have led to downed trees in Wishart Park, located in the city’s north end with numerous walking trails through natural scenery.
With less than optimal conditions at the park, its entrance is currently blocked off with orange fencing and caution tape.
City staff confirmed flood damage in the area, and said there are downed trees along the park’s trails.
“The high water eroded some of the banks, which resulted in some of the trees falling into the water,” said Travis Anderson, the city’s director of tourism and community development.
The plan is to get the trails cleared by the summer, Anderson said.
“Some of the trees that are down along the trails are a result of the heavy snowfall this winter,” he said.
“They will be cleared early summer to ensure the trails are walkable.”
The park’s new recreational steel bridge, which crosses Root River, is also blocked off – but Anderson said the bridge has not yet been opened for public use since installation.
The plan is to have the new bridge operational by the summer, too, as the city expands the area's trail network.
“The bridge has been closed since its installation. We will continue to keep it closed until we complete the trail to Third Line, which is estimated to be complete by early July,” he said.
“We had planned to begin construction in May. However, with snow still remaining in some sections of the woods, we need it to melt as well as time to dry out, which is why the trail won’t be done until early summer.”