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Portage board begins process to name Highway 33 wayside; deed restricts overnight-parking bans
Summary
Board members discussed naming the Highway 33 wayside and reviewed deed language that requires the parcel to remain a highway wayside and limits the city's ability to prohibit overnight parking unless the state transfers ownership.
The Portage City Park and Recreation Board began a preliminary discussion about naming the Highway 33 wayside and the legal limits on restricting overnight parking at the site.
Parks staff reported the parcel’s deed includes language that the Highway 33 East Wayside “shall continue to be used and maintained as a highway wayside” and noted that the city may petition the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to reclassify the parcel as excess land and transfer it to municipal park ownership. The city attorney recommended a multi-step process: have the park board propose a name, get a planning commission recommendation on park designation, then have the common council adopt a resolution designating the parcel for park purposes and revise the city ordinance (ordinance 54-50) to specify special rules for the site.
Staff and board members discussed that, because the parcel is a state wayside, the city’s ability to restrict overnight parking is limited; staff said the city could still prohibit overnight camping (tents), but not necessarily sleeping in a vehicle unless the state transfers the property. The board asked members to think of potential names and to return the topic for further action and formal recommendation steps.
Chair Sulik noted historical markers adjacent to the site and the nearby Fort Winnebago historic area while discussing potential naming themes. No formal motion or vote was taken at the meeting; staff will bring a process timeline and possible name recommendations to a future meeting.
