Neenah outlines Arrowhead Park implementation steps; council OKs geotechnical oversight contract
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Summary
City staff told council that Arrowhead Park remains a conceptual, phased vision while it secures DNR approvals and completes required remediation and infrastructure; council approved a $27,255 Stantec geologist contract to guide soil testing and remediation oversight, 8–1.
City officials on Wednesday gave the Neenah Common Council a progress report on implementing the 2024 Arrowhead Park conceptual master plan and secured a consultant contract to guide geotechnical work needed before large-scale construction can begin.
Director Nyforth, joined by Director Kading, reviewed the site’s history and regulatory constraints, saying the property — granted to the city by the state in 1951 as marsh and submerged land — carries long-term maintenance obligations. Nyforth emphasized the plan approved as a vision by staff and the community is not a construction blueprint: "This is a conceptual plan. This is not a construction plan," Nyforth said, adding that the city will not build exactly what the plan shows but will use it as a guide.
Staff listed several factors that must be resolved before major amenities can be built: DNR approval of proposed public uses on former lakebed under the public trust doctrine; approvals through DNR waste and materials management (for landfill remediation) and waterways/stormwater programs; groundwater monitoring; a methane migration prevention action plan the DNR requires; and engineering reviews to ensure structural loads are appropriate for areas of contaminated soil.
Nyforth summarized 2017–2025 funding and expenditures related to Arrowhead, saying about $1.7 million in grants and other alternative funding has been used alongside prior council-authorized borrowing, and that the Arrowhead fund balance stood at just over $1,000,000 at the end of 2025. Recent 2025 accomplishments included an internal access road and parking lot, prairie plantings, pier access made possible by a donation from the Nelson Family Fund, and preliminary grading and utility submissions to the DNR.
Public commenters at the meeting expressed both caution and enthusiasm: Scott Becker noted the site’s long planning history and the potential for environmental litigation; Frank Cuthbert urged investment, citing studies that argue park spending delivers local economic benefits.
The council then considered a Public Services & Safety Committee recommendation to hire Stantec for professional geologist oversight of the Arrowhead Park geotechnical investigation at a cost of $27,255. Chairman Lundrum moved the agreement and Alderman Weber seconded. Alderman Palmeaux said he would vote no, arguing that cumulative spending on Arrowhead projects had become large and competing capital needs (streets, other infrastructure) should be considered. The motion passed 8 to 1.
Next steps for Arrowhead staff include awaiting formal DNR responses to the revised plan, completing the methane migration prevention action plan, and preparing the site to be "shovel ready" for utilities and basic amenities. Nyforth said staff will return to Parks Commission and council to prioritize specific improvements and discuss funding strategies, including potential borrowing or public–private partnerships.
The Stantec agreement was funded from Arrowhead Park carry-forward funds included in the 2026 capital improvement budget; the council recorded the vote as 8 yes, 1 no. The council also discussed parking impacts as the park develops and staff said Plexus’ current use of the Arrowhead lot was intended to be temporary and would be addressed in future planning.
