Minocqua board approves north-side bike/ped path on Highway 70 West in 3–2 vote

The Minocqua Board of Supervisors voted 3–2 on June 2 to place a new bike and pedestrian path on the north side of Highway 70 West and to designate the south side for ATV/UTV and snowmobile use.

Director of Public Works Mark Pertile reviewed options for north- versus south-side alignments, telling the board the north side would be less costly and would require crossings at Morgan Road and Camp Pinemere Road. Pertile said the town plans to request a Department of Transportation study once an alignment is selected and that annual maintenance of the trail would be about $10,000, which the town would pay.

Resident Judy Domaczak addressed the board in favor of the north-side alignment for the bike/ped path and opposed placing ATV/UTV traffic on the north side, saying it would disrupt her zoo business and create conflicts with vehicles entering her property. Supervisor Brian Fricke said he opposed developing the trail now, arguing the town has other priorities. Chairman Mark Hartzheim said he preferred the south-side option because it would continue the Bearskin Trail and avoid highway crossings.

Supervisor Billy Fried moved and Supervisor Erika Petersen seconded a motion to develop the bike/ped path on the north side and locate the ATV/UTV and snowmobile trail on the south side. The motion carried by voice vote, 3–2; Hartzheim and Fricke voted no.

The board did not adopt a final design at the meeting; Pertile said selecting a side was necessary to keep a grant application moving forward and that the town would seek a DOT study and factor ongoing maintenance into budgeting.