Council has responded to a community demand for riverfront park and trail improvements with funding for two projects in 2017.
Upgrades are in the works for Cottonwood Island Park at a cost of $350,000 and $50,000 for upgrades to the Heritage River Trail.
The projects are funded from the City's Capital Expenditure Plan.
The first project includes the development of sustainable options for both Cottonwood Island Park and the HRT west to the Cameron Street Bridge.
"This summer, the city will be working with a consultant to expand the Heritage River Trail," said Dave Dyer, general manager of engineering and public works for the City of Prince George.
"The trail is eroding very quickly and having a consultant to provide us with options will be huge."
The second project covers the construction of a new pedestrian bridge at the northwest end of Cottonwood Island Park.
A number of options will be considered in the construction of the new bridge in order to be able to create a safe quality crossing able to withstand a one-in-200-year flood event on the Nechako River for both freshet and ice-jam conditions.
Much of the riverfront trails and park infrastructure at Cottonwood Park and along the Nechako River portion of the HRT experienced substantial damage due to a severe ice jam during the winter of 2007-2008.
Cottonwood Island Park remains a popular travel destination situated at the confluence of the Fraser and Nechako Rivers, open to the public year round.
The Heritage River Trail System is a seven kilometre multi-use trail that extends through a number of parks including Lheidli T'enneh Memorial Park and Carrie Jane Gray Park.
The demand for upgrades was identified through a number of engagement sessions with the public including the 2014 Community Recreation Services Plan which received feedback from 1,830 residents as well most recently, assessments from the development of the 2017 Park Strategy.
Projects are set to begin this summer.
