Riverton is conducting a formal public input process to develop recommendations for City Park improvements.
The Riverton City Council directed staff to initiate the process after hearing a citizen proposal for the park during a regular meeting this week.
The proposal came from the Central Wyoming Skateboarding Association, which wants to repurpose the City Park tennis courts and horseshoe pits to allow for a beginner skate park, basketball court and parking lot.
But there are other ideas for the space, city administrator Tony Tolstedt said, and the city should “make sure that the use of the park – and the significant use of the park – is discussed” through a formal public input process.
“As you add something, it removes space, and it kind of locks in use,” Tolstedt explained. “We would like to be thoughtful about how we move forward.”
Pickleball
After the CWSA presentation, two local residents – June Bailey and Josephine Gilpatrick – also addressed the council with an idea for City Park.
“I really do like your idea for the skate park,” Bailey said. “But I was thinking the basketball court we could utilize (to) do both basketball and pickleball. We’re trying to get a league here in Riverton.”
Pickleball is becoming “very popular,” Gilpatrick said, with lessons drawing up to 15 people last summer in Riverton.
In the future, she said, the group could even host tournaments in town.
Basketball
The Riverton Parks Committee expressed a desire to bring three-on-three basketball tournaments back to town, too, Council Member Karla Borders pointed out, recalling an informal survey she helped conduct at City Park.
“We sat down there one time by the skate park, and we asked the kids … ‘What would you like to see here?’” she said. “Overwhelmingly they wanted basketball courts. …
“I think it’s an asset that we could really use.”
More ideas
City Park’s concert venue could also use improvements – like additional power in the bandshell, local business owner Jason Hawk said.
He suggested a barrier around the concert area as well, which would make it easier to charge admission to events.
A space for food trucks would help too, Hawk continued.
“Food trucks could be down there on the regular during the summer,” he said. “You could go down there with your kids (and) spend your lunch hour at the park. …
“It’s such a nice park, I just want to see just a little bit of a push that direction.”
Mayor Richard Gard said a committee would likely be formed to gather input, discuss possibilities for the park, and make recommendations to the city.
“We want a public discussion of what other people would like to see in the park to see what we can do to make those things work,” he said.
For more information visit the city website or call 856-2227.