Check Out the Approved Plans for Owen Park
Owen Park is officially getting a facelift after City Council approved a plan at their Oct. 9 meeting. The changes were prompted by the DNR, which directed Xcel Energy to remove contaminated soil from the park that was left after a gas plant occupied the space until 1902. After a couple of public input meetings, final plans were drawn up and approved by the Plans Commission, and then by City Council. The site plans show the park being replanted with new trees (some will be removed with the dirt removal). Other improvements include a new restroom and pavillion, which would have a trail connection, bike parking, and an expanded parking lot with handicapped access. One of the most exciting additions is natural stone steps that lead down to the Chippewa River and provide access that previously wasn’t there. Some of the building is still subject to flood plain regulations, but other than that the plan looks to be implemented between now and June 2013, just in time to use next summer.
