MONROE - A twist in the discussion about parks and recreation for the city's comprehensive plan centered on residents' attitude toward money - which some believe may cause future problems when attempting to put the plan into action.
Bikes, dogs and fiscal conservatism became the focal points Wednesday as 12 community members met at the University of Wisconsin Extension office to voice opinions about parks and recreation issues in the city. The meeting, hosted by the Southwestern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, was part of a series of ongoing discussions to help shape the city's comprehensive plan.
Savannah Ernzen, an associate planner for SWWRPC, said the plan will help set a foundation for goals needed to address the issues facing Monroe.
"Together," she said, "we can use each other's resources and connect" to solve these problems.
Ernzen said addressing issues centered on parks and recreation is important because the number of parks and playgrounds available in a community can affect physical activity levels.
Community members attending Wednesday said the city should make more bike lanes around the city and add more parks that allow dogs.
However, some believed Monroe residents may not welcome these changes because it would cost money. They said the city's historically fiscally conservative approach may affect the decision to build more parks, including baseball or soccer parks, or buy land.
In the end, some of those attending felt residents will not be happy with any projects from which they do not personally benefit.
While the city may struggle with convincing residents to move forward with changes, the meeting stressed the importance of parks in Monroe.
In research compiled by the commission, citizens in less urban communities such as Monroe tend to be happier, Ernzen said.
"It's also about mental health," Ernzen said, adding that older adults who walk in more natural environments are less likely to have anxiety issues.
She said while the city has many challenges and weaknesses, it also has a lot of opportunities and strengths.
"(The commission and the city) want to fill that gap," Ernzen said about how to bridge the span between the city's weaknesses and strengths.
Many at the meeting suggested that while the city has a lot of free or affordable outdoor activities, such as the Badger State Trail, connecting the trail with the downtown area or other residential areas poses problems.
"(The city) should be able to connect people who are biking from their houses to the trail safely," said Dana White-Quam, a parks and recreation specialist from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
She said the city should look into creating a map system, much like the ones in Dane County, to allow bicyclists to navigate easier throughout Green County.
While connecting bicyclists from trails to different areas around town is a concern, some felt bicyclists should be given a clearly marked route, much like ATV drivers have.
"(The city) needs the same thing for bicyclists," said Jerry Guth, a retired teacher.
He added that some people, like himself, would rather ride their bicycles on the street than the trails, which means the city should look into establishing a better biking route through town.
Perhaps the biggest issue is the attitude the city has toward change.
"(Monroe) doesn't welcome change and new innovation," Guth said, citing the city's long history of fiscal conservatism.
Guth said many citizens would argue not to fix something that isn't broken, so the city can preserve its local traditions and heritage.
City Administrator Phil Rath said another issue is finding the money and space to implement the changes.
"If you build a new subdivision," he said, "you'll need space for a park."
Some suggested that is true in terms of allowing dogs in more of the city's parks.
"Monroe is not welcoming to dogs," Ernzen said.
She said citizens who do not have dogs may not want dog parks or dogs in city parks while dog owners want more dog-friendly parks.
Currently, Forest Prairie is the only one of Monroe's 16 parks that allows dogs.
Some community members have said they don't believe dog owners will pick up after their dogs in the parks. Other suggested that dogs are either annoying because of their barking or too aggressive for children to be around.
"People who don't have dogs won't want (dog-permitted parks)," Ernzen said.
The commission will meet for a second meeting focusing on establishing goals to address these issues from noon to 2 p.m. July 30 from noon to 2 p.m. at the Green County Humane Society building near the Pleasant View complex.
Bikes, dogs and fiscal conservatism became the focal points Wednesday as 12 community members met at the University of Wisconsin Extension office to voice opinions about parks and recreation issues in the city. The meeting, hosted by the Southwestern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, was part of a series of ongoing discussions to help shape the city's comprehensive plan.
Savannah Ernzen, an associate planner for SWWRPC, said the plan will help set a foundation for goals needed to address the issues facing Monroe.
"Together," she said, "we can use each other's resources and connect" to solve these problems.
Ernzen said addressing issues centered on parks and recreation is important because the number of parks and playgrounds available in a community can affect physical activity levels.
Community members attending Wednesday said the city should make more bike lanes around the city and add more parks that allow dogs.
However, some believed Monroe residents may not welcome these changes because it would cost money. They said the city's historically fiscally conservative approach may affect the decision to build more parks, including baseball or soccer parks, or buy land.
In the end, some of those attending felt residents will not be happy with any projects from which they do not personally benefit.
While the city may struggle with convincing residents to move forward with changes, the meeting stressed the importance of parks in Monroe.
In research compiled by the commission, citizens in less urban communities such as Monroe tend to be happier, Ernzen said.
"It's also about mental health," Ernzen said, adding that older adults who walk in more natural environments are less likely to have anxiety issues.
She said while the city has many challenges and weaknesses, it also has a lot of opportunities and strengths.
"(The commission and the city) want to fill that gap," Ernzen said about how to bridge the span between the city's weaknesses and strengths.
Many at the meeting suggested that while the city has a lot of free or affordable outdoor activities, such as the Badger State Trail, connecting the trail with the downtown area or other residential areas poses problems.
"(The city) should be able to connect people who are biking from their houses to the trail safely," said Dana White-Quam, a parks and recreation specialist from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
She said the city should look into creating a map system, much like the ones in Dane County, to allow bicyclists to navigate easier throughout Green County.
While connecting bicyclists from trails to different areas around town is a concern, some felt bicyclists should be given a clearly marked route, much like ATV drivers have.
"(The city) needs the same thing for bicyclists," said Jerry Guth, a retired teacher.
He added that some people, like himself, would rather ride their bicycles on the street than the trails, which means the city should look into establishing a better biking route through town.
Perhaps the biggest issue is the attitude the city has toward change.
"(Monroe) doesn't welcome change and new innovation," Guth said, citing the city's long history of fiscal conservatism.
Guth said many citizens would argue not to fix something that isn't broken, so the city can preserve its local traditions and heritage.
City Administrator Phil Rath said another issue is finding the money and space to implement the changes.
"If you build a new subdivision," he said, "you'll need space for a park."
Some suggested that is true in terms of allowing dogs in more of the city's parks.
"Monroe is not welcoming to dogs," Ernzen said.
She said citizens who do not have dogs may not want dog parks or dogs in city parks while dog owners want more dog-friendly parks.
Currently, Forest Prairie is the only one of Monroe's 16 parks that allows dogs.
Some community members have said they don't believe dog owners will pick up after their dogs in the parks. Other suggested that dogs are either annoying because of their barking or too aggressive for children to be around.
"People who don't have dogs won't want (dog-permitted parks)," Ernzen said.
The commission will meet for a second meeting focusing on establishing goals to address these issues from noon to 2 p.m. July 30 from noon to 2 p.m. at the Green County Humane Society building near the Pleasant View complex.