The Cottonwood City Council discussed the maintenance of Riverfront Park with Parks, Recreation and Library Director Jak Teel at its work session on Feb. 10.
Council spent over an hour on the item but postponed any major decisions pending the parks and recreation staff completing a five-year capital projects budget.
The city has slated $250,000 for the development of a master plan for Riverfront Park, which is currently guided by several documents, the most recent is the October 2020 Parks and Recreation Master Plan. However, Teel said the glossy Riverfront “design concept” often cited by residents was never adopted by council, is not budgeted nor construction‑ready and may be constrained by floodplain regulations and several conditions.
Council members decided they want to move that $250,000 “into future park funding for an unspecified project at this point,” Teel later said. He adding that projects will be better developed as part of the city’s forthcoming annual budget process.
City Manager Mario Cifuentez II also said an upcoming Old Town master plan could also affect priorities for the park.
Among the concept’s elements, Teel said staff does not recommend a proposed splash pad in its current location, which would grow from about $1 million to $5 million once restrooms, Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant access and parking are added; a pond in a Federal Emergency Management Agency flood zone with potential Verde River contact; and a pump track near a riparian area where eagles nest, triggering shutdowns by the state.
“My personal opinion is we need additional green space and athletic fields in this community,” Teel said. “That would be probably the No. 1 priority for myself as your director on what this community needs.”
Councilman Christopher Dowell said the absence of a Parks and Recreation Commission could be an issue, because “in my opinion, a commission would at least help guide us into something.”
As a 20-year member of the previous commission, Shaw it had fallen by the wayside because of the COVID- 19 pandemic response.
“One of the issues with our commission, and this was an issue with lots of commissions … I’m sorry to say it, we just could not get a quorum most days,” Teel said. “We went months without a quorum in parks and recreation, and so it wasn’t serving anybody. It was taking staff time during COVID.”
“I would be happy to run a commission or a committee,” Teel added, stating that his preference is a committee since it’s more flexible by allowing discussion of items that are not able to go on a commission agenda.
Cifuentez said he supported reestablishing the commission and has previously discussed the prospect with Shaw and Teel. No timeline or action on the creation of a new commission has been made.
Council also reviewed the financial performance of the Thunder Valley Rally, reporting visitation and costs. For that full story, visit journalaz.com.
