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Park committee approves MOUs with Geneva Lakes Conservancy and Friends group; discusses memorialization thresholds and plaque rules
Summary
The committee unanimously approved five‑year memoranda of understanding with the Geneva Lakes Conservancy and Friends of White River County Park and discussed commemorative naming and plaque policy, including a $2,500 minimum for plaques and prohibition of logos on memorial plaques.
The Walworth County Board Park Committee on May 19 voted to approve two five‑year memoranda of understanding: one renewing cooperation with the Geneva Lakes Conservancy and another establishing a formal agreement with the Friends of White River County Park.
A parks staff member summarized the Geneva Lakes Conservancy MOU as a resource agreement: county staff will lead park planning and use the conservancy as a partner to “bounce ideas back and forth.” The memorandum has been reviewed by county staff and approved by the Geneva Lakes Conservancy board; a committee motion to approve was seconded and carried unanimously.
The committee then approved a five‑year MOU with the Friends of White River County Park. The staff summary said the Friends will assist with fundraising, promotion and donated improvements; staff noted the Friends had already completed plantings and stone seating donations.
Committee members also discussed memorialization and naming conventions for donated items. Staff highlighted ordinance and policy language (chapter 16‑4 and an administrative appendix, plus references to chapter 30 on donations), and said the county’s minimum threshold for an accepted plaque or memorial is a donation of $2,500 or more. Staff noted plaque options are limited by size restrictions and that current rules explicitly prohibit plaques on trees and disallow logos on plaques.
Committee members raised examples and questions about cumulative donations, corporate sponsorship, and whether plaques should be allowed on donated tables or other non‑bench amenities. Staff said larger naming requests (for example, naming a facility or natural area) typically require a county resolution and board approval. The discussion did not result in an amendment to the existing policy at the meeting.
