Regarding the suggestion from Steve Johnson, DNR, about closing County Road NN through the New Glarus Woods State Park, I have an alternative to consider.
Closing NN to expand the park, add campsites, and have New Glarus reap the benefits of increased tourism sounds great. But, so far I don't see a resounding mandate or justification for the intended permanent change. Apparently 400 to 800 vehicles a day use the road. These people (like me) surely are coming and going from residences and businesses in the surrounding area. Going into New Glarus from County N, I tend to use County H in the summer. But in the winter when County H is snowy, icy, and slick, its mostly downhill grade with frequent twists and turns becomes more treacherous and I feel much safer driving on NN. Personally, I wouldn't want to see 400 to 800 more vehicles a day on County H at that time of year.
I think I have a workable solution to offer. In the summer months, there is a lot of activity in the state park. But, from November through March or April THERE'S NO ONE THERE! I rarely even see a DNR vehicle. So, why close the road during the six months of the year that it is most helpful to area residents by providing a safe, relatively level, sheltered, well-plowed road between County N and Wisconsin 69?
Why not, instead, post road signs as to the time of year the road is open? In the spring, install concrete planters or some other such devices in the roadway at the west edge of the woods that could be removed in the fall when the road reopens. The DNR can add campsites south of the road and install other upgrades (maybe even a "street basketball court" on the blacktop) since the only traffic would be from those using the park.
The result is more park patrons during the "camping season" who won't have to worry about through traffic, while in the winter, area residents will continue to have a safe and convenient road to travel.
Closing NN to expand the park, add campsites, and have New Glarus reap the benefits of increased tourism sounds great. But, so far I don't see a resounding mandate or justification for the intended permanent change. Apparently 400 to 800 vehicles a day use the road. These people (like me) surely are coming and going from residences and businesses in the surrounding area. Going into New Glarus from County N, I tend to use County H in the summer. But in the winter when County H is snowy, icy, and slick, its mostly downhill grade with frequent twists and turns becomes more treacherous and I feel much safer driving on NN. Personally, I wouldn't want to see 400 to 800 more vehicles a day on County H at that time of year.
I think I have a workable solution to offer. In the summer months, there is a lot of activity in the state park. But, from November through March or April THERE'S NO ONE THERE! I rarely even see a DNR vehicle. So, why close the road during the six months of the year that it is most helpful to area residents by providing a safe, relatively level, sheltered, well-plowed road between County N and Wisconsin 69?
Why not, instead, post road signs as to the time of year the road is open? In the spring, install concrete planters or some other such devices in the roadway at the west edge of the woods that could be removed in the fall when the road reopens. The DNR can add campsites south of the road and install other upgrades (maybe even a "street basketball court" on the blacktop) since the only traffic would be from those using the park.
The result is more park patrons during the "camping season" who won't have to worry about through traffic, while in the winter, area residents will continue to have a safe and convenient road to travel.
