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Oshkosh parks board backs Concept 1 for Clearwells site, asks for street-design flexibility
Summary
The Oshkosh Advisory Parks Board recommended Concept 1 for the Clearwells/water-plant site on Lakeshore Drive, prioritizing larger green space and tree preservation while asking staff and Public Works to retain flexibility on Washington Avenue street design.
The Oshkosh Advisory Parks Board on Aug. 11 recommended Concept 1 for the Clearwells project, the proposed redesign of the water intake/filtration plant site on Lakeshore Drive, citing greater contiguous green space and tree preservation.
The recommendation followed a presentation by Julia Shilling of Psyche Design and staff from the water utility and public works. Shilling said “both of these concepts... have a 10 foot multi use path,” and outlined differences between the two final options, including tree impacts, parking layouts and how the roadway aligns near the new clearwell structures.
The board and staff emphasized several project features: a 10-foot multiuse path along the north edge of the site; preservation of existing trees where possible; relocated memorial benches along the new path; two winter lake-access ramps that will be maintained; and planting plans that include roughly 21 new trees and native prairie/low-mow fescue plantings near the lake. Shilling said Concept 1 preserves slightly more existing trees (13) and all five on-site memorial trees.
Staff and water-utility representatives said the project requires installing a new intake pipe under the redesigned roadway. That pipe is in the city’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and staff said they plan to install the intake ahead of other significant roadway work. Public Works and water staff said there is no plan to add sanitary sewer or water main beneath the existing roadway as part of this project.
Board members and staff raised operational and maintenance concerns: notification and relocation of families that paid for memorial trees if trees must be removed; snow‑plowing and snow storage challenges around perpendicular parking bays; and vehicle‑turning needs for service vehicles and semis that access the plant, especially during future construction on Merritt Avenue. Staff asked that the street department keep some flexibility in finalizing the Washington Avenue geometry so truck turning movements can be confirmed.
After discussion, the advisory board moved to recommend Concept 1 for the Clearwells site while explicitly leaving the street-design details along Washington Avenue flexible for Public Works. The voice vote recorded Amy Davis, Becky Metz, Tim Franz and Steve Herman as voting in favor (4–0).
