(KLZA)--The Falls City Council approved more than $83-thousand in park improvements Monday night.

The first project will be a new walking path around Pioneer Park.  City Administrator Gary Jorn noted the park gets lots of use from residents of Pioneer Plaza as well area residents.  The Summer Meal Program for Falls City children is held across the street at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.

Three companies submitted bids for either asphalt or concrete sidewalks.  Wile the bid for a 4-inch thick asphalt bid was $8-thousand less, Council members felt concrete would hold up better and last longer.

The bid for the sidewalk replacement was awarded to Handley Construction at a cost of $36-thousand. The new walk will be more of an oval instead of having squared off corners. 

The other project approved was an overlay of the parking lot at the Aquatic Park.  Jorn said the project, will include replacing asphalt on the northwest portion of the parking lot. 

The hope was for a reduced bid from the company hired to widen and overlay Old Highway 73 this fall. Herzog Construction will put a 2-inch overlay the parking lot. The cost will be $47,385.  

Work on the Pioneer Park sidewalk replacement project started Thursday.  The park will not be closed but residents are asked to avoid areas that are under construction.