Liability concerns prompt proposed road closure near historic Bala stone arch bridge
Riley County will hold an April 30 public hearing on vacating a county road used to access the former Bala Park.
MANHATTAN, Kan. — Public access to the historic Bala stone arch bridge may soon be restricted following liability complaints from adjacent landowners about unauthorized visitors.
The Riley County Commission on Monday unanimously accepted a legal petition from two property owners seeking to vacate a portion of a county road near the former Bala Park site. Public Works Director John Ellermann told commissioners the landowners requested the closure due to insurance and liability concerns over people accessing the old park property. It was not immediately clear whether vacating the road would eliminate all public access to the bridge or whether alternative routes to the structure would remain available — a question likely to factor into the April 30 hearing.
Commissioners scheduled a public hearing on the proposed road vacation for April 30, at which residents can voice support or opposition to closing the public right-of-way.
In other road news, the public works department closed a section of Stockdale Park Road to through traffic Monday for a culvert replacement project, according to a county public works notice. The closure spans from Blue River Hills Road to the Stockdale Park Campgrounds entrance. Officials expect the road to reopen by Friday, weather permitting.
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