Norwich — A draft master design plan to create the Uncas Leap Heritage Park on city-owned property along the Yantic River will be presented to the public Tuesday, seven months after park planners incorporated ideas from dozens of residents at a similar meeting.

The public meeting will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Slater Auditorium at Norwich Free Academy, with consultants from Milone & MacBroom and the Uncas Leap Steering Committee presenting an overview of the draft plan and seeking input from residents. The park mostly is proposed on a 1.2-acre property owned by the city on Yantic Street on the north bank of the Yantic River.

The city has a $570,000 grant for environmental assessment, cleanup and park planning and a $270,000 grant, both from the state Department of Economic and Community Development, for consultant services, environmental assessment and reuse of the former industrial property.

The city also has used $141,000 from the city’s Community Development Block Grant funding to work on the park plans. Project historical consultant Regan Miner said she already is identifying possible future grant sources for the project.

The draft plan envisions a multiphase development that could total $1.76 million, including creating a small amphitheater on property where the city tore down a dilapidated small former brick factory building. An adjacent 1837 granite mill would be partially demolished, leaving the walls and windows of the first floor as a “ruin,” with a handicapped-accessible path through the former building and display panels describing the mill.

Two overlooks, walking paths and a canoe landing and tie-down spot on the river below, with a steep walking path leading up to the park also are in the plan.

The plans were put together from three draft drawings developed from numerous comments and small-group work sessions held at the March 1 public meeting, also held at Slater.

Miner said the proposed master plan incorporates key popular elements sought by residents, while rejecting other proposals that either were deemed too costly or incompatible with the scenic, rustic setting.

Miner said the Uncas Leap Steering Committee has met with Milone & MacBroom several times since March to review proposed designs, revise the plans and work out a rough budget for the park. The committee includes staff from the city, Mohegan tribal representatives, members of the Norwich Historical Society and residents.

The committee rejected a large ramped overlook at the edge of the cliff as too costly with future maintenance concerns.

The committee also rejected an idea to completely renovate the granite mill into a museum. The plan to partially demolish the building would cost an estimated $250,000, with renovations after demolition estimated at $100,000.

Two overlooks are planned, one at the edge of the park closest to Yantic Falls and one near the proposed amphitheater. An old concrete platform now stands near the falls and often is used by visitors to view and photograph the falls.

Invasive plants that now dominate the riverbank would be removed and replaced with native plants and trees.

A parking lot, estimated to cost $50,000, would be created a short distance from the park at 232 Yantic St., where the city recently tore down a rundown modern duplex building taken for back taxes owed. Handicapped parking would be placed at the main park parcel, along with a bus drop-off site at the street.

A notation on the plan states: “Consider improvements to pedestrian bridge including new railings and lighting.” Otherwise, the bridge and wooded property on the southern side of the river gorge would be left for a possible future project, Miner said.

c.bessette@theday.com