Forest Ridge Park is getting some improvements -- and it's not even built yet.

On Tuesday, the Raleigh City Council voted unanimously to approve additional design services for the planned Forest Ridge Park. Council members amended the design services contract with consultant Haden Stanziale in the amount of $68,700, bringing the total contract amount to $358,990.

The additional design services are needed to complete construction documents for permitting. This includes additional permit requirements, more detailed research of an ongoing environmental assessment of the park site, and more detailed and sustainable design aspects as a result of a new policy regarding Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).

In 2003, Raleigh voters approved funding for phase 1 development of Forest Ridge Park as part of a $47.25 million parks bond referendum.

Forest Ridge is a 586-acre peninsula of Falls Lake located between Falls Dam and Highway 98. The site is owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and managed by the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The City of Raleigh is partnering with these two agencies to develop the park.

In July 2006, the City Council approved a master plan for Forest Ridge Park. Phase 1 of the park development will include a park welcome center, shelters, parking, and restrooms.