SB Parks & Recreation to hold community forum Thursday

South Bend Parks and Recreation has big plans for enhancing the Riverfront Parks & Trails, but they want to hear from the community first.

Thursday night is the kick-off to the design phase.

The public is encouraged to come out to Century Center at 5:30 p.m. and offer their thoughts and priorities for the area. The forum will run until 8:30 p.m.

Future designs aim at improving the Riverwalk from Darden to Mishawaka. The department plans to focus heavily on the area between Leeper Park and the South Bend Farmer's Market.

Department leaders say public art will play a large role in the additions.

"This is a chance for all of us to re-imagine how these parks and trails intersect with one another. What's the identity of each park?" explains Aaron Perri, executive director of Parks and Recreation. "We're very early in that phase, and we look forward to the public's feedback."

The design planning will last for about five months. They hope to get projects underway this time next year.

Thursday's forum is the first of four planned events.