Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks Operations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Parks staff give updates: Seaward Trail reconstruction, courts and playground projects, urban‑forest survey and memorial‑tree program
Summary
Staff reported Seaward Trail reconstruction begins next week, tennis/pickleball and playground projects are scheduled, Pollock Community Water Park closes Aug. 17, and the city will launch an urban‑forestry survey; staff also reported 46 memorial‑tree orders for fall planting.
City parks staff updated the advisory board on multiple projects and operational items during the Aug. 11 meeting.
Seaward Trail reconstruction: Engineering and parks staff said work will begin next Monday on Seaward Trail in front of the Lakefly Café and the zoo parking area and continue to the boat‑launch parking lot. The contractor will start near the zoo; staff expect substantial completion by mid‑ to late October and hope to finish before major fall events (weather permitting). Archaeology monitoring from UW‑Milwaukee cultural resource staff will be on‑site for required excavations near sensitive areas.
Court and playground projects: Construction is scheduled next week at Fourth Parallel Park to convert existing courts into a two‑pickleball / one‑tennis configuration (court refurbishment). Stevens Park will receive final court and basketball improvements this season. Pickard Park on Oshkosh’s west side will begin playground grading and site work in late August/early September to install new playground equipment.
Pollock Community Water Park: Parks staff noted the facility’s final operating day for the season is Sunday, Aug. 17; staff said it has been a strong season and revenue looks good to date.
Urban forestry and memorial trees: Forestry staff said the city’s canopy‑cover study (public and private trees combined) shows about 16% tree canopy. The urban‑forestry team will release a resident survey next week to gather public input on tree management and priorities; staff said a typical mature canopy goal is often in the 25–35% range but that the survey will guide local targets. The memorial‑tree program deadline for fall planting orders is Friday, Aug. 15; staff reported 46 memorial tree orders for this planting cycle, with installations planned for the last two weeks of October.
Staff noted the parkland‑dedication/fee‑in‑lieu review is on hold while multiple departments coordinate a consolidated proposal that will go to council, and that engineering staff are finalizing a press release and outreach for the Seaward Trail project.
