The Bismarck Park Board will consider spending $1.24 million on a variety of improvements to district properties as it approved creation of Improvement District 2007-01 and a resolution of necessity at Thursday's meeting.

District director Steve Neu outlined a dozen projects for board members, most of which will be constructed in the spring of 2008. Projects include:

Pioneer Park - Lighting and signage, $48,761.33.

High Prairie Arts & Science Complex - Lighting and signage, $48,442.37.

Riverwood Archery Range - Sidewalk, striping, lighting and signage, $64,476.95.

Chief Lookings Village - Pavement repair, $89,533.41.

Clem Kelley - Bleacher pads, excavation and concrete paving, $123,690.06.

Tom O'Leary - Tennis courts, water and sanitary service, $36,125.15.

Igoe Park - Playground and access, $66,065.40.

Sertoma Park -Playground and access at Shelter No. 9, $79,878.24.

Expressway Trail Extension - Grading, graveling and overlooks, $51,609.63.

Burleigh Avenue west trail - Grading, paving and signage, $386,613.

Burleigh Avenue east trail - Grading, graveling and signage, $139,875.26.

Southland Recreational Trail System (phase 1 south Washington to Live Oak Lane) - Grading, paving, seeding, landscaping, $105,000.

Neu said that several of the projects have been around for several years, and many have to do with public safety involving providing of reliable hard surfaces and handicap accessibility.

"There are several big projects left out there, including Hillside Park renovation and work at Sleepy Hollow. Through this improvement district we're cleaning up several of the small projects," Neu said.

Playgrounds at Igoe and Sertoma have been in place since the early 1990s, assistant director Randy Bina said. Equipment has a life of 15 to 20 years.

"What really happens with equipment is that standards and safety concerns change," Bina said.

Board president Mark Zimmerman said that traffic along Burleigh Avenue is increasing as the residential area develops. He said he believes it's timely that the Burleigh trails are developed now, to keep pedestrians from having to use the road.

The project costs were provided through preliminary engineering report estimates that were received by the board. Neu said that the district has $370,000 available to supplement the projects, which leaves about $870,000 to bond for.

Neu said that the improvements will be published and a comment period will extend for 30 days following publication, with an improvement district hearing set for the board's meeting in September.