Letter to the Editor

Improvements ahead at Riverbend The Oxbow Bend Activity Area Improvement Project at Riverbend Recreation Area is scheduled to begin in June and be completed by Dec. 31. This project is consistent with the Hancock Park District's commitment to replace, upgrade and modernize facilities within an aging park system, a goal that was contained in the last two Strategic and Comprehensive Plans in 2014 and 2023. Project components include: • A new parking lot, curbs, and drainage • Veterans Pavilion to replace Shelter No. 5, which was constructed in the 1980s • A new playground with better accessibility, high play value and play components for children ages 2 to 12 • New pedestrian walkways within the improvement area. A portion of the Loop Trail will be closed during construction. Trail users are asked to exercise caution and safely detour around the construction zone. The Hancock Park District is fortunate to have received state and local grants and private restricted donations to serve as a form of supplemental revenue and help fund the project. Restricted donations are for the playground and Veterans Pavilion. Grants and donations will fund 93% of the total design and development cost. The probable cost estimate to demolish and then redevelop the parking lot, shelter/pavilion, and walkways and demolish the playground was $815,500. That cost estimate was public information and advertised in the bid notice. The low base bid of $544,988 was submitted by Schimmoeller Construction, Inc. from Kalida. Hancock Park District Board of Park Commissioners Edward Ingold Scott Younger Richard Kidwell