The first part of a riverwalk in North Jefferson City is complete, and organizers plan now to create an overlook to view the Capitol from the Noren Access.
Early this summer, a plan was announced to develop the existing riverwalk on the north side of the river, from the end of the pedestrian bridge through the Noren Access and to Turkey Creek, put forward by Alan Mudd through a Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce initiative called the Big Idea Sharing network. Mudd also gave credit to Janet Gallaher and Terry Lyskowski, members of the riverwalk committee.
The plan involves a 10-foot-wide concrete trail broken into phases to extend all the way to Turkey Creek. The first phase included putting the trail up to the boat ramp at the Noren Access, which was recently completed.
Bill Lockwood, director of the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department, said that really has been "phase 1A," as some remaining funds are available to continue the phase further.
Mudd said about $3,000 of the initial $10,000 donated remains after the walk was completed up to the ramp. Mudd noted some concrete was donated and parks department staff was used to put in the new riverwalk, helping cut down on costs.
Mudd said the next step would be to use the remaining money to pour a new section toward the Missouri River bridge to create an overlook to view the Capitol and downtown area.
"I think it's going to be fabulous," Mudd said.
Lockwood said staff needs to look into any necessary permits for that location and wouldn't be able to get a crew back out to Noren for at least one month.
A future phase would put a concrete trail up to the first primitive campsite, but Mudd noted that will depend on how much money can be raised for the project. After that, the path would be about 6 feet wide and likely made of chat, which is ground limestone. It improves an already-existing natural trail Mudd has said can be difficult to walk on in inclement weather.
As for the completed portion, Mudd said it turned out great, thanks to the help of the parks staff.
"The people I've talked to that have seen it have been very impressed and very complimentary," Mudd said. "It's living up to my expectations."
Lockwood said so far, most of the feedback he has received on the riverwalk has been positive, noting some who may have been opposed to it before say it now looks very nice.
"I think it turned out better than a lot of people expected," he said.
Joe Wilson, who is known to many for his work at the Noren Access, has been a vocal opponent of the project, saying putting concrete on the nature trail will disturb the environment. Wilson said while the riverwalk is still unnecessary, at least it's not hurting anything and it does look nice.
"I can live with this," he said.
Wilson said the issue is people still are unlikely to use it, and those who made the decision to put it in are unfamiliar with those who frequent the access.
"It's a waste of concrete," Wilson said.