If you’ve been down along the river or at Riverview Park recently, you may have heard some rumbling along the riverbanks. The city has been clearing the thick willows and alders along the embankment.
City Manager Pete Williams said that one reason for clearing out the thick tree brush along the river embankment is because the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the city need access to the riprap for maintenance. Riprap refers to the large boulders along the riverfront.
Riprap helps with erosion control, but Williams gave another reason for cutting the brush.
“There were some encampments. People walking along here have been bothered,” said Williams.
Williams said that the city didn’t have a goal of where those camping along the embankment should go, he just said that he wanted the area clear.
“I don't think I really go into that with a goal on where the homeless are going to go. It's not just homeless, it's people drinking,” said Williams.
He said that trash and vandalism have been a big problem in that area. Williams also added that people like to “hot rod” around there, saying that five people have been killed in the area from recklessness involving four-wheelers.
Williams said that visibility will help solve a lot of these issues. He also said that he’s adding park patrolling to police officers’ duties. With the cleared trees, they’ll be able to more easily see down along the embankment. Plus, Williams added, the city got a new machine that can easily clear the brush.
“We never had one before. Otherwise we would have had to send somebody sitting there with a chainsaw, and try to clear all that by hand, and that wasn't gonna happen,” said Williams.
Williams said that the machine turns the trees into mulch, but the city doesn’t know if or how it will use that mulch yet. He added that the brush will grow back quickly.
