Arrowhead Park, house improvements on track for completion

A long-vacant house at Arrowhead Park is getting major improvements and will be opened to the public.

The Arrowhead House is about 2,440 square feet, located within the park on the city’s eastern edge at 1710 S. River Bluff Road.

It used to be a private home on land that was donated for the park and hasn’t been available for public use.

As part of the city project, Hegg Construction is renovating the house’s main area to create two meeting spaces and a kitchen. On the other side, there will be a multipurpose room.

“These rooms will be separate so that two events can take place simultaneously. Our intention is to use the space just like we do with the Tuthill House — it will host recreational programs, or the public can reserve the spaces,” project manager Tyler Landry said.

“When the Arrowhead House is not being used for programming or reserved, it will be available to the public. As part of the renovation, we’re also adding a tiered deck of about 1,600 square feet to the outside of the house, offering visitors unique views of Arrowhead Park’s historic quarry.”

The house has been gutted to open the space and relocate the kitchen and bathroom. That opens up the structure for electrical and mechanical work.

Exterior and HVAC improvements are underway, including roofing and deck removal. Then the new deck will be built, epoxy floor will be installed in a classroom space — the former garage — and exterior siding will be repaired.

The project is expected to be completed later this year.

This year also has brought trail upgrades at Arrowhead Park.

“Trails are getting new concrete surfacing and spot repairs to portions of the existing trail,” Landry said. “The south parking lot, south walking loop and restroom facilities are closed until early September until the work is completed.”