RIVER FALLS — An extension of mountain bike trails from Whitetail Ridge Park to an easement purchased by the city from the Fox family was on the agenda for the April 8 River Falls City Council meeting. Members discussed the proximity to residents, parking and safety before approving the extension.

“The Fox family owns several large parcels of land south of Whitetail Ridge Park and north of Powell Avenue. A significant portion of the property consists of steep slopes that while not suitable for development, may be used for open space and recreational purposes. The family offered the idea to create a larger easement that would cover the steep slope areas and allow for a significant expansion of the Whitetail Ridge Park mountain bike trails as well as bringing the trails closer to Tattersall Distilling and the retail area at Paulson Road and N. Main Street,” city documents state.

A primary concern was the 50-foot proximity to surrounding residents.

“I think that the Kinnickinnic Off-Road Cyclists [KORC] are a good-faith community partner and have acted in good faith,” Alderperson Sean Downing said. “I believe they have the ability to work with our staff in developing a plan that is enjoyable for cyclists and is inclusive to our community as a whole.”

Downing laid out concerns that he believes city staff and the cyclist group should work together to address including establishing Whitetail Ridge/Highland Drive as the main entry point rather than the city parcel off of Oak Ridge, mentioning this entry would likely have been the most used entry point anyways. He also asked that the trail is kept with a 75-foot setback rather than 50 feet.

“I understand that can’t apply to everything evenly because stormwater and other things such as slopes, rocks, big trees,” Downing said. “The reason I would ask this is privacy and respect for our residents.”

Troy Kusilek, a Riverside Drive resident, spoke during public comment about the safety for bikers on the steep slope of Riverside. Kusilek also mentioned the distance between the residences and the trail.
“At this point, we kind of feel like there’s encroachment,” Kusilek said. “You guys need to get on that trail, walk that terrain just to see what you’re doing there.”

Another neighbor said there has been a lack of communication with the neighbors, and the nearby residents should be participating in making this plan.

Alderperson Scott Morrissette requested that rather than putting distance requirements on the path, the city asks that KORC makes “every effort possible” to have the trail the furthest away from residences it can be. Two KORC Club board members said the group is willing to work with the city on the distance from residences.

“We want to be good neighbors. We appreciate the city giving us the opportunity to have this eight miles of trail that we already had and have worked on over the last 10 years,” KORC Board Member Josh Walter said. “We’re kind of satisfying a desire by Tattersall business to connect with them, so that’s been the driving force.”

City Administrator Scot Simpson stepped in to clarify that the 50-foot setback number was a guide between the neighbors and KORC, but the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the city did not include a setback requirement. He said there are portions of the easement with less than 100 feet of width, so a 50-foot setback would not leave room for a trail at all. Simpson said there would be a detailed trail plan later down the line that would have to go through the Park Board.

“Council has full authority to dictate a setback, you can dictate sections you don’t want to be used, you can dictate a number of things, but that’s not what this motion does,” Simpson said.

The April 8 approval extends the MOU to the entire easement. Simpson mentioned the city parcel has a steep slope, so there will not be much of an opportunity for parking development or a main access point, and it will instead be better suited for another location. The item is unlikely to return to council unless there is need for a financial commitment, but council motioned to solve their concerns in the final design.

Chamber Events

After a presentation from the River Falls Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau, council approved motions for city assistance, noise control exemptions, open container exemptions and street closure for 2025 special events.

Costs for the city assistance come in at $11,915 for River Falls Days, $9,720 for Bacon Bash and $1,490 for River Dazzle.

“The reason the chamber isn’t charged like the downtown business leaders, and I think we’ve worked through that whole thing with them as well, is because the chamber is the city’s designated room tax recipient, and we take 30% of that room tax to offset these charges,” Morrissette said. “Now, I don’t think for a minute that 30% of room tax is defraying 100% of our costs.”

Council discussed having this topic brought up at a retreat or a future meeting.

Other business

• Community members spoke during public comment asking the city to collaborate with them as they develop a mental health community response team. The mission is to reduce stigma surrounding mental health and suicide prevention.
• Simpson thanked Alderperson Alyssa Mueller for her time on the council during her final meeting.
• Brooks Ostendorf was appointed as the city forester after being hired as the conservation and parks manager in February.
• Approved 2025-27 agricultural leases.