Iowa City officials have patched some trails in Hickory Hill Park where park supporters warned ofsafety concerns because of erosion.

Zac Hall, Iowa City’s park superintendent, said after assessing trails and bridges in the 185-acre park, asphalt milling was used to fill some sections washed away by flooding the past couple of years.

“We just went out and hit the spots we felt needed to be done immediately, high traffic sections on the east side of the dam,” Hall said, noting the work was planned before concerns were raised.

The uneven terrain posed a risk, particularly to older park users, some said. Hall said more trail sections should see work this fall. Friends of Hickory Hill Park, a volunteer group that helps maintain the park, had brought concerns to Iowa City’s City Council on Aug. 19. The Friends group requested $50,000 for a design study for a new trail layout that would help protect trails from flood events.

John Kardos, a board member for the group who spoke at the meeting, said he is pleased to see the city get started on the trails, but stressed there’s more work to be done.

“Those huge six-inch washouts are gone, in that particular section at least,” he said. “We are making progress.”

Kardos said the group will be meeting with the city on Sept. 7 to discuss other repairs, and they are also waiting for a response to the financial request.

The money would be an advance from a three-year, three phase plan worth $750,000 for park upgrades. That was supposed to begin this year but was pushed back a year to address this summer’s flooding.

Friends of Hickory Hill Park said getting $50,000 immediately for design work would help avoid delays.

Hall said the city has not been neglecting Hickory Hill Park.

The city has allocated $60,000 to replace a bridge ripped off its creek bank on the east side of the park. That should be completed this fall, and specific dates should be set in the next two weeks, said parks director Mike Moran.

“I know everyone is antsy for us to get things done, and I am too, but we not far off the timetable,” Hall said.