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Village receives Goldendale Creek parcel from MMSD; staff outlines access and low‑impact trail options
Summary
The Village of Germantown completed transfer of a parcel known as Goldendale Creek from the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District and staff described near‑term access improvements tied to High Point Pass road work and longer‑range trail planning that could connect to regional trails.
Village staff reported that transfer of the Goldendale Creek parcel from the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) is complete and that deed restrictions previously placed by the DNR have been removed, making the land available for village management and passive recreational uses.
Staff said construction of High Point Pass — a road from Holy Hill Road to the railroad tracks — will include a contractor staging area on a small section of the new parkland; the contractor will build a gravel access and parking area as part of the arrangement. Staff is also requesting a cost estimate for a contract change order to pave that small parking area while the road contractor is mobilized, which could create a modest, improved trailhead by the end of summer.
The village and parks & recreation commission described the parcel as heavily wetland‑impacted and suited to low‑impact uses: nature preserve trails, viewing areas and potentially small picnic or parking nodes rather than intensive park development. Staff noted federal, state and MMSD wetland considerations; the DNR restrictions cited in the transfer were removed in the conveyance paperwork.
Funding for initial access and improvements is available in previously approved TID7 allocations (about $700,000 set aside for improvements), and staff said they are exploring grant matches and local private contributions to leverage those funds. Staff also noted that an extended trail link from Goldendale Road to Maple Road — roughly a mile and involving wetlands — could cost on the order of $1 million if a mostly boardwalk solution is required; staff said they are exploring lower‑cost alternatives to connect to existing paths.
Trustees and staff discussed the long‑range opportunity to connect Germantown trails to the regional Bug Line and other county trails; staff said MMSD properties are one of several corridor opportunities to preserve green space and achieve longer trail connectivity. Staff will return with mapping of MMSD parcels and options for phased trail connections.
