Recent City Projects

City of River Falls Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan 

Throughout 2020, the City of River Falls will be drafting a citywide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan. The plan will identify existing park conditions, look ahead to future population growth, evaluate recreation opportunities in the city and recommend long range improvements to the City’s park system over the next few decades. The plan also allows the City to receive grant funding to build desired park improvements. Look for an upcoming community survey and outreach later this year! Contact the City’s Community Development Department for more information.

Cooperative Plan Between the City of River Falls and the Town of Kinnickinnic

On November 14, 2014, Jerry Olson, Kinnickinnic Town Chair, met with City of River Falls Mayor Dan Toland to discuss a Boundary Plan between the Town and the City. The Cooperative Boundary Plan Negotiating Committee created a Cooperative Boundary Plan between the City of River Falls and the Town of Kinnickinnic. The Plan has been approved by both municipalities and has been forwarded to the Department of Administration for review and approval. The Department must make a written determination on the Plan within 90 days (mid-May 2019). The Department may approve, disapprove, or return the Plan with comments to the participating municipalities for further revision and resubmittal.
Cooperative Plan 2-7-2019

Kinni Corridor Project

The City of River Falls has embarked on a three-year, multi-phased process that will lead to a comprehensive long-term plan for the Kinnickinnic River Corridor. Visit www.kinnicorridor.org for the latest information on Kinni Corridor planning, reports and assessments, timelines, links to stakeholder groups, feedback opportunities, event calendar and more.
Kinni Corridor Plan 1-22-2019

Trail Plan

The City continues to maintain and enhance the trails along the Kinnickinnic River. In 2015, the City acquired property, and in 2016 completed the trail from the University Falls to Family Fresh. 

In 2013, the City acquired property between Family Fresh and the Kinnickinnic River. In 2015, the City received a grant from the Department of Natural Resources Stewardship Program to construct a paved trail between Heritage Park and Division Street. This trail was completed in spring 2018. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on May 8, 2018, with the First Lady of Wisconsin, Tonette Walker, doing the honors.

The City’s future plans also include construction of a pedestrian bridge on railroad abutments across the Kinnickinnic River that would connect the Kinnickinnic River Trail near Family Fresh to the Kinnickinnic Trail near Heritage Park. The Downtown Design Plan adopted in 2002 anticipated a trail bridge connecting from West Walnut to the Old Rail Trestle Bridge. This construction will occur after construction of the Old Rail Trestle segment, possible as early as 2022.

Glen Park Master Plan

Improvements to Glen Park include new parking, expanded pool deck and splash pad, new playground, new event building, new ball fields, upgraded trails and other amenities. The estimated cost of the project is $4 million funded by the City’s capital budget. Preliminary design plan will begin in the fall of 2017 with estimated construction in 2018.

Wayfinding

In May 2017, the City began work to develop a Community Signage and Wayfinding Master Plan to provide a framework to develop an attractive signage system for city-wide wayfinding and signs for municipal buildings and recreational facilities. Attractive wayfinding adds value to a community. Through this project, the City seeks to:

  • Create community gateways that are welcoming, memorable, and set a positive tone for those entering the City for the first time.
  • Develop a wayfinding system that allows visitors to comfortably navigate their way around the community.
  • Establish an enduring design for municipal buildings, recreational facilities, and the city-owned corporate parks.
  • Eliminate sign redundancy and reduce visual clutter created by unneeded signs.  

The City Council approved the community signage and wayfinding master plan at the April 10, 2018, meeting. Staff is excited to begin the implementation phase of the project when signs will be installed throughout the community. The City is working with project partners to help with implementation, including the Business Improvement District, River Falls Chamber of Commerce, University of Wisconsin - River Falls, Chippewa Valley Technical College and the River Falls School District. Sign installation will occur over a number of years, but residents can expect to see directional signs later this year.

Grants

2017 Glen Park Safe Room
2016 Swinging Bridge National Register Nomination
2015 DNR Lake George Trail - Heritage Park to West Division
2014-2015 Intensive Architectural and Historic Survey
2014 Hoffman Park Safe Room