Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks And Trails topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
County seeks state and federal grants for Interurban Trail; project already has $1.4M in TAP funding
Summary
Jefferson County authorized seeking Knowles‑Nelson stewardship and federal Recreation Trails/Land and Water Conservation grants for the final phase of the Interurban Trail between Watertown and Oconomowoc; total project cost estimated at $1,710,725 with prior TAP funding of $1.4 million.
Jefferson County authorized the Parks Department to apply for state and federal grant funding to complete the final phase of the Interurban Trail, a 10.96‑mile paved trail on former We Energies right‑of‑way between Watertown and Oconomowoc.
Supervisor Christensen, presenting the parks committee recommendation, said the county seeks funds through the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Knowles‑Nelson Stewardship grant program, the Federal Recreation Trails program and the Land and Water Conservation Fund. He said the county already has a Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant of $1,400,000 for this phase, and that the total estimated project cost is $1,710,725.
The Knowles‑Nelson grant could provide up to $179,806.07 toward construction; the resolution authorizes the Parks Department to seek those funds and to amend the 2025 parks budget if grants are awarded. The parks committee recommended forwarding the application and the board approved the request.
Supervisor Christensen also presented a separate parks resolution to seek grants for the 0.8‑mile Court Park Connector Trail in the town of Lake Mills. The county seeks Recreation Trails Program funds and other donations to pave the existing recycled‑asphalt trail; estimated cost for that connector is $142,085 with up to $100,000 possible from an RTP grant and the remainder from fundraising and donations.
The county also approved acceptance of a land donation on Marsh Lake from Groundswell Conservancy, a roughly 42‑acre parcel intended as a low‑impact public access site and to be incorporated into the Lake Mills Wildlife Area. The parks committee reported $46,393.48 in donations listed in the parks budget for remediation and site development.
The board recorded approval of the grant applications and consented to proceed with budgeting steps if grants are awarded; the parks committee and county board recommended moving forward with grant applications and associated budget amendments.
