FLG Riverside Park Bank Stabilization Update
Press Release: 4.23.08

On Earth Day, April 22nd, Members of Friends of the Looking Glass (FLG) and the Millennium Garden Club (MGC) met with the DeWitt Parks Commission members and City Administrator Brian Vick for a 2-hour discussion of the three plan options to repair the bank erosion in DeWitt's Riverside Park at Bridge Street. Over a dozen trees are in immediate danger of falling into the river, with badly exposed roots, undermined by muskrats boroughs and are leaning over the river. 31 trees in all are in danger if the bank is not stabilized.

Environmental engineer Scott Dierks from JF New in Ann Arbor projected the 15 page report on the wall and discussed the various construction approaches to reestablishing, seeding and planting the south bank. The area of concern stretches from the observation / fishing deck just east of the remnant InterUrban Railroad berm, to approx 165 yards downstream (West) to Bridge Street. Project objectives include stabilizing the eroding bank, narrowing the river to increase flow, improve aquatic habitat, use bioengineered techniques, provide a canoe/kayak launch, and opportunities for community volunteers to get involved in a rare and fun outdoor activity. The plan costs, based on the use of some volunteer labor from local groups including FLG and MGC, range between $22,000 to $29,000. Additional costs to engineer and complete a canoe/kayak launch on the South side of the stream at the bridge is thought to cost an additional approx. $5,000. Although the Looking Glass River flows through the city for several miles, there is no designated public access to the river. FLG and MGC pledged to design and fund interpretive signage as well as provide volunteer labor for the project.

The Parks Commission is expected to recommend a course of action to the Finance Committee and the DeWitt City Council for inclusion in the FY2008-09 budget in the next few weeks, and pending that approval as well as MDEQ permitting, the project could start in Sept or Oct, and take approx. two weeks to complete, according to Dierks and Vick. The bank stabilization plan options report with costs, graphics and photos of similar projects, bioengineered products and related information, is available at: www.lookingglassriverfriends.org.

FLG also announced a special community meeting for people in the watershed who might like an explanation of the problem and the optional fixes. A JF New engineer, City of DeWitt officials, FLG and MGC will project PowerPoint presentations on a screen in the Riverside Park Pavilion on Wed. May 14 at 7:00 pm and take all questions. Volunteers will also be able to sign up for the fall work party. A hotdog roast with lemonade will precede the meeting at 6:00 pm.

Bob Bishop
FLG Communications Dir.
907 E. Dill Dr., DeWitt, MI