Norwalk to get public restrooms, food truck park, accessible playground

NORWALK — Norwalk Mayor Dave Light announced plans to install a public restroom uptown, an all-abilities playground and a food truck park. Light also brought forth legislation to city council that would allow golf carts within city limits. Light told city council Tuesday he hopes to give something for residents to look forward to. The city plans to apply for a 2021 Community Development Block Grant that will be the primary source of funding for the public ADA compliant restroom and an all-abilities playground and equipment. Light said he has received many complaints about a lack of public restrooms and thinks it will be a great addition to the city. The restroom would be located in the parking lot next to Suhr Family Park and is estimated to cost $113,020. Earlier in the year community members reached out to Light about installing more all-ability playground equipment. With the grant funds, they hope to install equipment at McGuan Park, with an estimated cost of $149,000. Light said the city already has started receiving donations from the community and would use $37,000 from the grant and the rest of the estimated cost will come from donations and city funds. Councilwoman Deb Lucal praised Light on his initiative to provide more accessible playground equipment, saying it should have been done 20 years ago. Light also announced plans to install a food truck park on vacant city property, behind the new fire station. The lot would allow for five or six food trucks to rent spaces. Light estimated the installation of utilities and costs will be about $5,000. The city will need to obtain an easement from the owners of the property and negotiations are pending due to the recent sale of the property. Light also brought new legislation to allow golf carts on Norwalk streets. There was a previous attempt to allow golf carts on the roads that failed, but the new legislation has differences. Golf carts would not be allowed to travel on U.S. 250, only to directly cross the road and the legislation includes a "no impede" or yield and pull over clause. It requires golf carts to pull over and allow traffic to pass if the cart is causing congestion. The new legislation will also require registration, the same safety equipment as cars and bi-annual inspections to be done by the police department. Light said he reached out to nearby cities with similar legislation and all had positive things to say about their golf cart programs and reported no accidents. Councilman Steve Schumm said he could see this legislation causing problems. The legislation will be on the agenda at the next council meeting at 7:30 p.m. April 21 at the Ernsthausen Recreation Center.