The re-imagining of Munn Park is inching forward, but more than a year after the city unveiled concept renderings, progress is slow. City Manager Shawn Sherrouse said design work is continuing and the costs will be discussed during the city’s strategic planning retreat in May.
City leaders have considered multiple ideas for amenities in the city’s revamped central square, including possible game zones, an entertainment pavilion, a food truck parking area and a fountain. The city has also discussed closing off certain streets, returning them to brick and making them pedestrian-only.
However, it’s been more than a year since the city presented design concepts at a public workshop and asked for input. And the last public conversation about the park took place in August.
Some business owners have privately told LkldNow that they are anxious for work to get started and for the city to provide a real solution for the people experiencing homelessness and who hang out in the park each day.
One business owner dubbed the park “Bum Park,” while another said some people feel intimidated to enjoy the benches or even cut through the park.
At Thursday morning’s Historic Preservation Committee meeting, committee member Melynda Rinker asked Emily Foster, a senior planner on the historic preservation staff, where things stand.
“Do we have an update on it because it kind of got removed from here to elsewhere and then would it have to come back to us?” Rinker asked. “Where are we on that?”
Foster said a subcommittee made recommendations to the City Commission and the city manager.
“There were a series of public hearings or public meetings about getting input of what the public would like to see in Munn Park,” Foster said, pointing to “further planning efforts at the City Commission level, that they wanted to further discuss the park and its potential future design improvements.”
City Manager Sherrouse emailed LkldNow to say they listened to input from residents to come up with several designs.
“The City has continued to work with our consultant to provide multiple design options for consideration,” Sherrouse said. “This effort is ongoing and there will, likely, be related discussions during our strategic planning process this year. Funding considerations are unknown until a design option has been determined.”
The strategic planning retreat will take place May 13 and 14. The all-day sessions cover every facet and every department of the city, including goals, plans and budgets.
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