Saline Parks Commission Proposed Mill Pond Park Plan

A visioning plan for Mill Pond Park was presented by the Saline Parks Commission to the city council at the March 16 meeting. According to Mayor Brian Marl, updating Mill Pond Park has been a priority for both City Council and the Parks Commission since late 2024.

“We’ve incorporated ideas from regional parks, along with the parks national plan, to develop a prioritized list of recommendations,” Parks Commission Chair Joe Smith said.

Marl emphasized the importance parks can have on a community, stating that “some of the things that neighbors are doing are really transformational” and have “profoundly impacted the quality of life for their residents.”

Currently the Commission recommended a potential plan that broke the park’s construction into three steps.

1. Top priorities, such as seating, play structures, a dog park, a pavilion and restroom
2. High priorities, such as a kayak launch, expansion of the sledding area and fishing access
3. Low priorities, such as additional pavilions, parking and a volleyball court

Items were prioritized through a decision matrix weighing community feedback with the cost of planned implementations.

“Our vision is a community along the Saline River Valley with historic charm, quality, public services and amenities, where all are welcome, safe and engaged,” Parks Commission Vice Chair Jill Estrada said.

At this time, no funding decisions have been made based on the presentation.