POST FALLS — A scaled-back design for a future park along the Spokane River in Post Falls is moving from the public input phase to seeking match funding for the improvements.

The Bureau of Land Management has chosen a design for its undeveloped 2.5-acre site on the north side of the river along Maplewood Avenue just east of the Riverside Harbor subdivision.

Improvements will include a paved ADA-accessible trail to the waterfront, walking paths, picnic sites, a small watercraft/fishing dock, a buoyed-off swim area, a restroom and parking.

"We could begin some work in January because winter is actually a better time to work near the river because the water is lower," said Mitch Owens, BLM's outdoor recreation planner. "We hope to do some improvements before the runoff comes. But it will probably be next fall when we really get going on it."

Owens said the site is one of the few remaining public access points on the Spokane River for recreational activities. It is currently open to the public, but is undeveloped. Residents have used it for swimming and fishing.

The Bureau of Reclamation formerly used the site to pump water from the river. The pump house was removed several years ago.

Owens said BLM has about $100,000 in hand for the project and is now seeking about $200,000 in matching grants to leverage agency funds.

"Since we scaled down the improvements, the cost has gone down to where it will be about $300,000 compared to about $600,000 for the previous design," Owens said.

Per public input, the design, which initially included more improvements such as a retaining wall, was scaled back, Owens said.

"We had about 25 comments from the neighbors, city of Post Falls and others, so we had good public feedback," Owens said. "The desire was to focus more on the naturalness of the site, so we did that.

"Instead of building a retaining wall, which is expensive, we'll but the slope back near the water to reduce erosion and make it safer," Owens said.

Owens said 15 parking spots are planned. They will be along Maplewood similar to what parking is like at Coeur d'Alene Mill River Park east of the site.

"That should save more of the site (rather than having the parking area deeper into the property)," Owens said.

Owens said the design will become official when BLM Field Manager Kurt Pavlat will sign off on the project in the next two or three weeks.

Suzanne Endsley, BLM's public affairs officer, said BLM is working with the city of Post Falls to assist with maintenance and patrol for the park.

"At this time, there are not plans for the site to become a city park," she said. "It will be retained as BLM-managed lands."