Escanaba council postpones Ludington Park nature-walk decision after maintenance, ADA questions

The Escanaba City Council on April 3 postponed approval of an agreement with Enhanced Escanaba to install a nature walk in Ludington Park until its May 1 meeting and requested a recommendation from the Recreation Advisory Board.

The project, proposed by Enhanced Escanaba and supported by an America in Bloom grant (funded by Canadian National), would build a roughly 7-foot-wide compressed-trail “nature path” along the lakeshore with planting areas, boulders bearing QR codes describing plants and local history, and interpretive elements about purple martins. The city is contributing $10,000 in-kind toward the project; Enhanced Escanaba said it also has $25,000 available for trees and shrubs related to the work.

Proponents said the surface will be three inches of gravel topped by three inches of compressed trail mix and that planting beds are designed to be low maintenance and mower-friendly. An Enhanced Escanaba representative said the organization would reserve some grant funds for long-term maintenance and that volunteers — including a Boy Scout Eagle project to build kiosks and manage QR content — would help with installation and interpretation.

Public Works staff warned the proposed trail would add recurring maintenance and watering duties. Kent DuBour, Public Works (city), said, “Oh it 100 increases our maintenance,” and raised concerns about long-term weed control, staff capacity and seasonal watering costs. Council members also asked whether the compressed-trail surface meets ADA requirements; Councilor Rocha asked, “Is this pathway going to be ADA compliant?” The Enhanced Escanaba representative said the trail is generally accessible to wheelchairs but that she was not certain whether it is certified ADA-compliant.

Councilors raised additional operational questions: whether the grant could be redirected to repair the existing asphalt loop that circles more of the park and Aronson Island; the project’s placement near fluctuating shore conditions; and the potential need for future replacement or upgrades if the asphalt path requires work. The presenter said the grant was awarded for the lakeshore routing because the trail was included in the city recreation five-year plan and that changes to location or surface could jeopardize the award.

After discussion, a motion to postpone consideration of the agreement until the May 1 council meeting, pending a recommendation from the Recreation Advisory Board, passed by roll call. The posted Recreation Advisory Board meeting is next Tuesday; council members said they would review the board’s recommendation and the finalized design before taking final action.

The council did not approve the agreement on April 3; the item will return to the council agenda on May 1 for further consideration.