Community input sought for proposed park near Eel River
The first of two public outreach meetings were held in Fortuna last week to gather ideas from the community for a public park next to the Eel River in the Riverwalk area of the city.
The city is in the process of acquiring an approximately sevenacre parcel of land between the Eel River and Riverwalk Drive, near the River Lodge Conference Center, and will be applying for grant funding to create this recreational area.
“The prospect of a public park along the Eel River will make for a very unique setting for citizens and tourists to enjoy,” said Fortuna Parks & Recreation Director Cameron Mull. “We look forward to making this vision a reality.”
Fifteen people attended the Oct. 11 meeting and suggestions for the Riverwalk recreational area included a seasonal dock on the Eel River, stage area for events and shows, picnic area, bathrooms, food truck/farmers market area, dog park, as well as natural resources and cultural interpretive signage.
Public outreach meetings are a must when applying for the grant funding being sought which is aimed at creating new recreational features in rural areas to support economic, tourism and health related goals.
“We are asking for the community’s input, which is an essential component of the grant, to put together a project scope that is consistent with the citizen’s desires for a park at this location,” Mull said.
The city will submit an application for a Proposition 68 Rural Recreation and Tourism Program grant by the Nov. 5 deadline. The City of Fortuna’s General Plan includes a vision of a waterfront that is easily accessible, offers scenic and recreational activities, and provides development that is complementary to riverfront locations.
A powerpoint presentation shown at the Oct. 11 public outreach meeting noted that it has been a long-time unrealized vision to have a park on the Eel River for the public to enjoy.
The second of the two public outreach hearings is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 20, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the River Lodge
Conference Center in Fortuna.
Interested community members may also complete an online survey to include suggestions for the Riverwalk recreational area. The link to complete the survey online is available through the City of Fortuna Parks and Recreation Facebook page (https://forms.gle/EkSjwe37LUEoq1B5A.)
After the grant application is submitted, the city will find out in the spring of 2022 whether it will receive funding.