Shorewood Park Commission outlines 2025 work-plan priorities, flags gaps in IPM oversight

Chair Wenner opened the Shorewood Park Commission meeting on Jan. 14, 2025, and led a detailed discussion of the Commission’s proposed 2025 work plan, focusing on a Parks Master Plan update, CIP prioritization for playgrounds and rink repairs, and the Commission’s newly assigned oversight role for the City’s integrated pest management program.

The conversation centered on whether the $40,000 listed in the 2025 CIP for a Master Plan update is adequate. Parks and Recreation Manager Czech said staff intends to update the existing plan rather than start from scratch and that larger design funding for projects such as Southshore reconstruction appears in later CIP years. Council Liaison Gorham said he was skeptical $40,000 would be sufficient for a robust Master Plan and suggested the Commission present the proposed work plan for a Council work session to align priorities.

Commissioners pressed staff on several capital priorities. The CIP includes $200,000 for new playground equipment at Cathcart Park; Commissioners discussed whether Freeman Park, which they said gets heavier use, should be prioritized instead. The commission also discussed a $150,000 CIP line linked to rink repairs and fencing. Czech said some rink fencing materials may be repurposed from other parks as a cost-saving step.

Commissioners proposed concrete steps to improve planning and public engagement: use of consultant support for the Master Plan update, proactive community outreach and surveys in spring, rotating park inspections with inventory sheets, and early-year budget discussions to surface alternative funding (sponsorships, fundraisers, grants). Chair Wenner offered to help with grant-writing and urged the Commission to identify a clearer process for public input.

A central theme of the meeting was the Commission’s oversight responsibility for the City’s integrated pest management (IPM) program, assigned in April 2023. Chair Wenner said the Commission has struggled to obtain timely information about treatments and vendors; she cited a recent Greener Blade spraying event at Freeman Park that drew resident complaints and left commissioners unsure which chemicals vendors used. She urged creating an annual IPM report that lists chemicals and vendors, maps bee-safe areas, and provides transparency for residents. Council Liaison Gorham agreed the Commission needs a clearer structure and tools to perform that oversight role.

Parks and Recreation Manager Czech said he would compile the input from the discussion and return to the Commission with a proposed 2025 Work Plan for review. Gorham said he would raise the idea of a Council work session to discuss alignment with Council goals and guiding principles. The Commission did not vote on any policy changes at the meeting.

Next steps: staff will prepare the draft 2025 Work Plan and supporting materials (including inventory templates and suggested outreach approaches) for the Commission’s review; the Council liaison will seek a work session slot to discuss priorities with the full Council.