MONROE - After more than 30 years, a little neighborhood plot finally is starting to look like a park.
Valley View Subdivision Park, at the end of 27th Street Boulevard along 2nd Avenue, was a three-lot section set aside and deeded to the city when Werner and Marleen Zimmerman started the 100-lot subdivision in 1975.
The Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners voted unanimously in April 2008 to pursue the park project. Alderman Charles Schuringa (Ward 10) brought the idea to commissioners after hearing numerous requests from local residents.
The park is 160 feet deep and 190 feet across. The Badger State Trail runs past the southwest edge of the park, several feet above it.
"When we did the park, it was wetlands. Ducks built their nests there," Marleen Werner said. Today, its gleaming jewel is a natural stream trickling out from the end of a culvert installed when an open ditch was filled. Water flowing to the southwest joins Hawthorne Creek.
Last summer, Daniel Becker, Monroe, took up the work of designing some landscaping for the park as part of his Eagle Scout project. Daniel is the son of Gary and Susan Becker.
Becker said he asked city Parks Supervisor Paul Klinzing about any possible projects after helping another Boy Scout, Lucas Koch, clear brush.
Koch spent several days last summer and fall clearing dead trees and brush along the trail and stream.
With Klinzing's help, Becker added two trees and a perennial garden to the park.
Monroe's Morning Optimists Club donated $2,000 to be used toward the park's needs, said Donna Cairy, president of the club last year.
"The park is going for the kids, and that's what Optimists are all about," she said.
Last week, the Parks Department erected a mini shelter covering a picnic table and benches. Becker's trees stand on either side of the shelter, sure to give shade when they mature.
Play equipment was ordered last fall and was stored after delivery for installation this spring.
Klinzing said the swing set with regular and infant seats, a slide and spring animals will be installed after July 4th.
Marian Karlen, who has lived in the neighborhood for 24 years, said her children and grandchildren don't live nearby. But she thought she probably would enjoy using the park benches when she takes her walks.
"I think it's OK," she said about the park development. "If the children have some place to play, that's fine."
Most of Karlen's closest neighbors don't have small children who would use the park. But that situation may be changing.
Michael and Angela Hoeper, living just a block from the park on 27th Street, added quadruplets to their family just eight months ago. They joined a 2-year-old sister.
"Gosh, that's great," Angela Hoeper said Wednesday when she heard about the park. "I didn't know anything about it."
Hoeper said the nearest park requires a drive in the car with the children.
"It's hard with five car seats. To go anywhere, it's not convenient," she said.
"This will be very, very convenient. It'll get utilized a lot," she said with a laugh.
The streets to the park all are dead ends, which limits through-traffic, and "are plenty wide for parking," Schuringa said. The neighborhood is quiet and most local traffic to the park area is "by foot or bicycle," he added.
Valley View Subdivision Park, at the end of 27th Street Boulevard along 2nd Avenue, was a three-lot section set aside and deeded to the city when Werner and Marleen Zimmerman started the 100-lot subdivision in 1975.
The Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners voted unanimously in April 2008 to pursue the park project. Alderman Charles Schuringa (Ward 10) brought the idea to commissioners after hearing numerous requests from local residents.
The park is 160 feet deep and 190 feet across. The Badger State Trail runs past the southwest edge of the park, several feet above it.
"When we did the park, it was wetlands. Ducks built their nests there," Marleen Werner said. Today, its gleaming jewel is a natural stream trickling out from the end of a culvert installed when an open ditch was filled. Water flowing to the southwest joins Hawthorne Creek.
Last summer, Daniel Becker, Monroe, took up the work of designing some landscaping for the park as part of his Eagle Scout project. Daniel is the son of Gary and Susan Becker.
Becker said he asked city Parks Supervisor Paul Klinzing about any possible projects after helping another Boy Scout, Lucas Koch, clear brush.
Koch spent several days last summer and fall clearing dead trees and brush along the trail and stream.
With Klinzing's help, Becker added two trees and a perennial garden to the park.
Monroe's Morning Optimists Club donated $2,000 to be used toward the park's needs, said Donna Cairy, president of the club last year.
"The park is going for the kids, and that's what Optimists are all about," she said.
Last week, the Parks Department erected a mini shelter covering a picnic table and benches. Becker's trees stand on either side of the shelter, sure to give shade when they mature.
Play equipment was ordered last fall and was stored after delivery for installation this spring.
Klinzing said the swing set with regular and infant seats, a slide and spring animals will be installed after July 4th.
Marian Karlen, who has lived in the neighborhood for 24 years, said her children and grandchildren don't live nearby. But she thought she probably would enjoy using the park benches when she takes her walks.
"I think it's OK," she said about the park development. "If the children have some place to play, that's fine."
Most of Karlen's closest neighbors don't have small children who would use the park. But that situation may be changing.
Michael and Angela Hoeper, living just a block from the park on 27th Street, added quadruplets to their family just eight months ago. They joined a 2-year-old sister.
"Gosh, that's great," Angela Hoeper said Wednesday when she heard about the park. "I didn't know anything about it."
Hoeper said the nearest park requires a drive in the car with the children.
"It's hard with five car seats. To go anywhere, it's not convenient," she said.
"This will be very, very convenient. It'll get utilized a lot," she said with a laugh.
The streets to the park all are dead ends, which limits through-traffic, and "are plenty wide for parking," Schuringa said. The neighborhood is quiet and most local traffic to the park area is "by foot or bicycle," he added.