MONROE - It's not just overgrown brush, so what comes out and what must stay is a matter for the Department of Natural Resources to determine.
Monroe's Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners voted unanimously April 16 to pursue development of a Valley View subdivision neighborhood park.
Lot Eight, located at the end of 27th Street Boulevard, along 2nd Avenue, was set aside as park land after the subdivision was started in 1975. The park area is mostly grass, but some brush has grown between the back of the lot and the Badger State Trail, which is several feet above the park.
Steve Johnston, Green County property supervisor, told Paul Klinzing, Monroe park supervisor, that the city was welcome to take out anything that was "dead and down."
"I told him, after he did that, we'd have to take a look at what species of plants are there and what erosion might take place. We don't want to take out so much that erosion would take place," Johnston said.
Mayor Ron Marsh said a Boy Scout has volunteered to do the park work as his Eagle Scout project. Marsh would not say who the Scout is.
An Eagle Scout project requires a Scout put together a team to accomplish a civic project.
"The Park Department is waiting to see if the project qualifies, and the department will assist (with the cleanup)," Marsh said.
"You should soon see some activity out there," he said.
Johnston said the park has a natural creek and wildlife that must be considered.
Urban residents think a "nice, mowed area is beautiful; we don't agree," he said.
Residents along state trails tend to mow to the edge of the trail, and that's a problem for DNR, Johnston said.
About 200 trees planted by DNR along the Badger State Trail have been mowed down by well-meaning residents, trying to "keep the trail looking nice."
"We need to find a balance," Johnston said.
Another idea for the park is to have steps up to the trail.
Klinzing told commissioners in April that funds were available in the Park Department accounts to consider several pieces of play equipment, including a tot swing and a regular swing, a small slide, and benches - perhaps even covered benches.
However, Donna Cairy, president of the Morning Optimists Club, said they donated $2,000 to be used toward the park's needs.
Cairy said the Parks Department had a list of needed items, broken down by costs, but the group decided not to put any specifications on the funds they donated.
"The park is going for the kids, and that's what Optimists are all about," she said.
Alderman Charles Schuringa (Ward 10) first brought the idea to the commissioners after hearing numerous requests from the local residents.
"I'm not looking for anything elaborate," Schuringa told the board. "But for retired people with grandkids and new families with kids, safetywise and everything, I think it's a good idea."
Monroe's Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners voted unanimously April 16 to pursue development of a Valley View subdivision neighborhood park.
Lot Eight, located at the end of 27th Street Boulevard, along 2nd Avenue, was set aside as park land after the subdivision was started in 1975. The park area is mostly grass, but some brush has grown between the back of the lot and the Badger State Trail, which is several feet above the park.
Steve Johnston, Green County property supervisor, told Paul Klinzing, Monroe park supervisor, that the city was welcome to take out anything that was "dead and down."
"I told him, after he did that, we'd have to take a look at what species of plants are there and what erosion might take place. We don't want to take out so much that erosion would take place," Johnston said.
Mayor Ron Marsh said a Boy Scout has volunteered to do the park work as his Eagle Scout project. Marsh would not say who the Scout is.
An Eagle Scout project requires a Scout put together a team to accomplish a civic project.
"The Park Department is waiting to see if the project qualifies, and the department will assist (with the cleanup)," Marsh said.
"You should soon see some activity out there," he said.
Johnston said the park has a natural creek and wildlife that must be considered.
Urban residents think a "nice, mowed area is beautiful; we don't agree," he said.
Residents along state trails tend to mow to the edge of the trail, and that's a problem for DNR, Johnston said.
About 200 trees planted by DNR along the Badger State Trail have been mowed down by well-meaning residents, trying to "keep the trail looking nice."
"We need to find a balance," Johnston said.
Another idea for the park is to have steps up to the trail.
Klinzing told commissioners in April that funds were available in the Park Department accounts to consider several pieces of play equipment, including a tot swing and a regular swing, a small slide, and benches - perhaps even covered benches.
However, Donna Cairy, president of the Morning Optimists Club, said they donated $2,000 to be used toward the park's needs.
Cairy said the Parks Department had a list of needed items, broken down by costs, but the group decided not to put any specifications on the funds they donated.
"The park is going for the kids, and that's what Optimists are all about," she said.
Alderman Charles Schuringa (Ward 10) first brought the idea to the commissioners after hearing numerous requests from the local residents.
"I'm not looking for anything elaborate," Schuringa told the board. "But for retired people with grandkids and new families with kids, safetywise and everything, I think it's a good idea."