Plans progressing for park in Altoona’s River Prairie Development

Thursday, November 12, 2015
Amanda Tyler, WEAU

ALTOONA, Wis. (WEAU)-- Plans are coming together for a new park in Altoona's River Prairie Development. That nearly seven acre park is planned as part of the northwest quadrant.

Altoona's mayor calls the development Altoona's front porch to the city. Thursday night city leaders heard more on what could go in the central gathering spot.

Phil Johnson with Ayres and Associates has been helping the city plan out this project. He says the park echoes some of the features of Eau Claire's Phoenix Park but with a new twist.

"The park design creates many reasons for people to come there and it's not just something you come and experience at once you'll want to come back again and again because there is so much to do," Johnson explained.

With a $6-million price tag, the plans for the park call for an interactive man-made stream, pavilions, a performance area, a splash pad and a discovery play area.

It will be surrounded by shops that are already in the works, along with the Staybridge Hotel and other future development. Johnson has no doubt that the newest piece of the River Prairie project will take Altoona to the next level.

"The dynamics of this site will create housing opportunities and retail opportunities plus restaurants and other things there. It will become a destination for the Chippewa Valley," he added.

The City of Altoona has plans to take bids on the project this spring and begin construction in May or June of 2016 with park completion by late 2016 or the first half of 2017.

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