MONROE - A large empty lot in the Valley View subdivision will be developed into the neighborhood park it was meant to be.
The Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners voted unanimously Wednesday to pursue the project.
Alderman Charles Schuringa (Ward 10) brought the idea to 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, safety wise and everything, I think it's a good idea."
Park Supervisor Paul Klinzing said funds are available in Parks and Recreation Department accounts to consider several pieces of play equipment, including a tot swing and regular swing, a small slide and benches - perhaps even covered benches.
Lot Eight, located at the end of 27th Street Boulevard along Second Avenue, was set aside as park land after Werner and Marleen Zimmerman started the subdivision in 1975. The land set aside for the park was deeded to city. The lot, originally three lots, is 160 feet deep and 190 feet across.
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.
"It's really a nice little park," Mayor Ron Marsh told the board.
The Zimmermans started the 100-lot subdivision, "because people wanted to buy, and were calling me to build out here," Werner said.
"When we did the park, it was wetlands. Ducks built their nests there," Marleen said.
The Zimmermans bought the land in 1969 as a farm. Werner built his house in 1975 on land now west of the Gasthaus; his folks built on the south side of railroad tracks.
The railroad track that went through his land is now the Badger State Trail southwest of the park. The trail is raised above the park level.
"Kids get a kick out of watching bikes go by," Schuringa said.
The streets are all 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 said.
The park area is mostly grass, but some brush, which has grown between the back of the lot and the bike trail, will need to be cleared.
"It'd only take a good morning to clear the brush out," Marsh told the board, and said the Friends of Badger State Trail may be willing to help clear the brush along the trail.
Because the land abuts the trail, DNR right-of-way needs to be considered.
Klinzing said the DNR would be contacted.
"We would find out what we can do there, and make them aware of our plans," he said.
Community service organizations that want to get involved in the project can contact the Parks and Recreation Department.
Schuringa said the neighborhood residents also would like to get involved.
"I've been getting input already," he said. "I'm sure my phone will be ringing."
Council representative Paul Hannes, Gail Murray and Barb Gelbach were absent.
The Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners voted unanimously Wednesday to pursue the project.
Alderman Charles Schuringa (Ward 10) brought the idea to 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, safety wise and everything, I think it's a good idea."
Park Supervisor Paul Klinzing said funds are available in Parks and Recreation Department accounts to consider several pieces of play equipment, including a tot swing and regular swing, a small slide and benches - perhaps even covered benches.
Lot Eight, located at the end of 27th Street Boulevard along Second Avenue, was set aside as park land after Werner and Marleen Zimmerman started the subdivision in 1975. The land set aside for the park was deeded to city. The lot, originally three lots, is 160 feet deep and 190 feet across.
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.
"It's really a nice little park," Mayor Ron Marsh told the board.
The Zimmermans started the 100-lot subdivision, "because people wanted to buy, and were calling me to build out here," Werner said.
"When we did the park, it was wetlands. Ducks built their nests there," Marleen said.
The Zimmermans bought the land in 1969 as a farm. Werner built his house in 1975 on land now west of the Gasthaus; his folks built on the south side of railroad tracks.
The railroad track that went through his land is now the Badger State Trail southwest of the park. The trail is raised above the park level.
"Kids get a kick out of watching bikes go by," Schuringa said.
The streets are all 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 said.
The park area is mostly grass, but some brush, which has grown between the back of the lot and the bike trail, will need to be cleared.
"It'd only take a good morning to clear the brush out," Marsh told the board, and said the Friends of Badger State Trail may be willing to help clear the brush along the trail.
Because the land abuts the trail, DNR right-of-way needs to be considered.
Klinzing said the DNR would be contacted.
"We would find out what we can do there, and make them aware of our plans," he said.
Community service organizations that want to get involved in the project can contact the Parks and Recreation Department.
Schuringa said the neighborhood residents also would like to get involved.
"I've been getting input already," he said. "I'm sure my phone will be ringing."
Council representative Paul Hannes, Gail Murray and Barb Gelbach were absent.