The City of Riverside is growing, and as all communities in this situation is facing some growing pains.
The board of aldermen heard this message as part of the presentation of results from its citizen satisfaction survey given to the board Tuesday, Jan. 15. According to the survey, 94 percent of respondents said Riverside was a good or excellent place to live and 90 percent said the city was a good place to raise children. City services, including fire, police and snow removal were also ranked highly by residents.
Only half of respondents said the community was a good place to work and play. There were other areas where the public felt there was room for improvement. Citizens felt the city was not doing a great job communicating with the public, and that the city should direct more resources to storm water control. Satisfaction with community development and codes enforcement was also down.
Mayor Kathy Rose said for newer residents it may be difficult to understand that the city has come a long way within the last 20 years. Aldermen also pointed out that the city has purposely focused commercial development in the Horizons area to leave the downtown corridor free for a different sort of growth.
Also, in a community known for the sale of fireworks, the survey found that citizens are just fine with that distinction.
The survey was last conducted in 2014, and aldermen suggested the city conduct surveys more regularly, as the five-year gap between surveys didn’t give city leaders a complete picture of progress within the community.
In other news, E.H. Young Riverfront Park has closed to begin construction of a new entryway and pickle ball courts. Phase one of the park’s renovation is budgeted at about $1.3 million and is expected to be completed later this year.