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Parks director reports fish survey, Sunnyview delays, new hires and trail planning
Summary
Director (Speaker 1) told commissioners the DNR fish survey shows good stocks in four of five ponds, Sunnyview Expo work is on hold pending electrical work and permits, the Butamore boat landing was put out to bid, and two new parks caretakers were hired (Jeff and Terry Krause); staff expect to publish an annual report in February.
Director (Speaker 1) updated the commission on multiple operational items, including fisheries, bidding, facility repairs and staffing.
On fisheries, the Director said DNR fish survey results show ponds are well stocked and that staff are reviewing whether to allow limited take to diversify pond populations; she cautioned that any change would require careful coordination with DNR guidance. "It has plenty of fish," the Director said of the report she received from the DNR.
The Butamore boat landing project went out to bid and a pre-bid meeting is scheduled in two weeks; the Director said the expected construction start is late July (subject to budget and permits). Sunnyview Expo work remains in a holding pattern pending electrical contractor scheduling and completion of permits; the department has coordinated with wildlife biologists to relocate and rebuild an osprey nest platform near the site.
On staffing, the Director said two new parks caretakers started (Jeff and Terry Krause, with Krause moving from part-time expo caretaker to full-time parks caretaker) and that seven of eight seasonal staff have verbally committed to return for the season. The department plans to publish an annual report (first since 2021) in the February packet.
Why it matters: The updates cover fishery management and planned capital work that affect public access and events, and the staffing changes affect operational capacity for maintenance and events.
Next steps: Staff will continue DNR coordination on fishery management, proceed with the boat-landing bidding timeline, and publish an annual report in February.
