improving parks
“.. I am grateful for his proven leadership in ensuring parks are well maintained and new nature preserves like Cedar Gorge can become a reality”.
- Tom Stolp, local conservation leader
In addition to keeping taxes low, in a recent poll Ozaukeeans told us that one of their top priorities is improving the quality of our parks. Maybe that reflects their relative satisfaction with other county functions, but it’s clear that countians use their parks and have high expectations. Especially with increased use over the COVID years, the county park system is truly a ‘Treasure of Oz’.
Over the past six years, in addition to self-funding park infrastructure improvements, we were awarded over 100 grants and nearly $8.5 million to improve the county’s 12 parks and trail system. This allowed the county to made significant improvements at every single county park in the past 6 years---WITHOUT RAISING TAXES. Given that we have 13 county parks, this is a pretty phenomenal accomplishment. Most of the credit goes to a creative and energetic parks department, but the Natural Resources Committee is the critical enabler.
A few of those improvements over the past four years include…
·Removed over 3,500 dead or dying ash trees–victims of emerald ash borer, and replaced with over 30,000 med-sized, sapling, or seedling trees.
Established two brand-new parks: Cedar Gorge and Little Menominee River Park.
Cedar Gorge Clay Bluffs is a uniquely phenomenal addition to our park system, and will become a regional economic contributor in time. Bruce fought against anonymous private developers and nefarious backroom political dealing to help bring this gem of a property into the public domain where ALL residents can enjoy the fields, forests, wetlands and Lake Michigan views.
Little Menominee River Park, restoring wetlands, creating a meandering stream bank with improved stormwater management features and fish spawning functionality, and established prairie plantings.
Built public facilities at Covered Bridge Park: Created a permanent restroom, septic system and event pavilion (completed in May).
Established new kayak and canoe launch at Ehlers park, to create better connectivity on the Milwaukee River urban water trail.
Made significant improvement to the safety of the interurban trail and have applied for a major grant for the resurfacing of all county sections, expected in 2022.
Improved fish passage on most Ozaukee streams, for improved spawning, fishing, and stormwater management.
Established innovative bluff stairway system to allow beach access at Virmond park, established migratory bird habitat, established native prairie.
Improved Lion’s Den Gorge public facilities, parking, boardwalk and roadways: replaced porta-potties with permanent restroom facilities (to be finished by summer) and expanded over-taxed parking.
Mee-Kwon Park and Golf Course: Improved tee-time scheduling system, replaced and expanded golf carts, planned and funded a wetland restoration, all while maintaining a profit and supporting record use. Established a boardwalk for improved accessibility.
Expanded River Oaks Park by purchase of neighboring properties.
Established native prairie at Tendick Nature Center, with planning and funding for barn replacement.
Removed invasive species throughout our park system.
· And so much more!