OUR PLACE
An overview and update at the Hillmoor Commission last week.
The consultant for the Hillmoor property, Michael Kojovic, gave a brief presentation on the property. The rest of the meeting was all about public input. For over two hours, the public spoke and shared their vision. There was a public comment sheet available for anyone who didn’t want to speak publicly. The city purchased about 189 acres in late 2022. The city already owned what is known as the disc golf area or the white river corridor and parcels along Sheridan Springs Road. If you add it all together, the boundaries encompass approximately 230 acres. Highway 50 or Main Street, but runs across the bottom going east-west edge.
Highway 12 is a barrier on the east side of the property. Mainly to the west is the residential portion and the downtown. This is where the corridor of the white river, starting at Flat Iron Park, goes through the Samuel Donian Preserve, and this is where a connection into Hillmoor Park could be established. When purchased, the property did come with a deed restriction limiting it to public use or use by a public charity. Development or private projects other than a charity organization is prohibited. The property has already seen some changes. Two new bridges were built over the White River this past year. New culverts were installed near the Utility Commission. An archeological study has recently been completed. Soon, the Highway 50 project scheduled for 2026-27 will also bring improvements along the property.
Currently, there are plans to continue working on the property. The Knowles-Nelson grant received approval, and implementation will soon begin. The commission will identify and complete small projects this year. There will be a lot of exploration determining building and site standards, ecological strategies, improving and beginning the project evaluation process, public engagement strategy, budget recommendations, and outside expert presentations, including site visits, will all be immediate goals. Of those who came and spoke at the meeting, the majority agreed the property needed to stay as green as possible with little development. Of course, this looks a little different to everyone, with so many ideas of what a park should include or not include.
There is no way to implement every idea and make everyone happy. The comments included the YMCA and its desire to inhabit a small portion of the property. Some residents are in favor of it coming to Hillmoor, and others are not. The YMCA CEO spoke to reassure the public that the YMCA is not interested in taking over the property but rather sharing a small portion near the Home Depot, which is the only developable portion of the land, offering the community many opportunities and serving the community as it has for over 100 years. Other members of the YMCA also came advocating for the Y and reminding the public that the YMCA has worked well with the city over the years and has always strived to be the best neighbor it can be. Not everyone in the audience was happy with the YMCA’s input. This Special Hillmoor Commission meeting was a great start implementing the public in the process of a master plan for Hillmoor with many more to come.
