Shorewood moves to strengthen park data, planning and reporting as part of 2025 priorities

Shorewood’s City Council and Park Commission used their April 28 work session to scope a Parks Master Plan, seek better park‑use data and clarify the Commission’s oversight role for trail, tree and pollinator policy.

Parks and Recreation Manager Czech told the council the City expects a busy 2025 and that a consultant would help with demographics and community outreach. Councilmember Sanschagrin said more granular usage data — counts at different times and seasons and information on nonresident users — would help prioritize limited resources and asked whether commissioners and partners could help gather it. Mayor Jennifer Labadie noted the City already uses people counters at large events and that tournament organizers like Tonka United can provide entrant-based attendance estimates; Czech confirmed those sources exist but said the Master Plan consultant would consolidate and expand the information.

Why it matters: councilmembers said a clear data baseline will guide capital decisions and maintenance priorities across Shorewood’s seven parks, and will provide context for contentious topics such as playground replacement and trail upgrades. The council will consider a $40,000 Parks Master Plan contract on the regular meeting agenda tonight; staff and commissioners described that work as the best path to a unified ten‑ to fifteen‑year plan.

On playground timing, Czech noted the Cathcart playground "will be thirty years old in August," and said typical playground life is about 15–25 years, arguing that planning first would help avoid a rush purchase. Some councilmembers favored delaying significant replacement until the Master Plan and updated usage data confirm need; others urged evaluating worn equipment now rather than replacing on schedule alone.

Trails and tree policy came up repeatedly. Park Commission Chair Hirner said the Commission has not thoroughly discussed the City’s trail network and asked for Council guidance on trail direction and maintenance expectations. Mayor Labadie and staff identified Appendix H (the 2011 trail plan implementation report) as outdated and recommended updating trail guidance, potentially tied into the city’s 2050 Comprehensive Plan process. Commissioners also asked for access to the Tree Preservation Policy, the Tree Replacement Policy and the Davey Resources tree plan to reconcile apparent differences between development practice and plan language.

The Bee Safe program and the Commission’s reporting role were another point of clarification. Park Commissioner Wenner quoted ordinance language saying the City "shall communicate to residents the importance of creating and maintaining a pollinator habitat and shall publish a Bee Safe City progress report on an annual basis," and asked staff and the Council how the Commission should assemble and present that progress report. Councilmembers suggested a concise, resident‑focused scorecard showing easily measured items (for example, treatments purchased or acres managed) rather than a long technical document.

Commissioners also raised operational issues including interest in dog play areas, recent vandalism and whether security cameras should be prioritized. Mayor Labadie cautioned that surveillance decisions require balancing privacy and cost and suggested staff coordinate with Public Works and Police on proposals.

What’s next: staff said the consultant-led Master Plan would answer many outstanding questions — from classification of parks (destination, community, neighborhood) to prioritization for CIP — and would supply materials commissioners could use in community outreach. Councilmembers asked staff to bring the Parks Master Plan contract to the regular meeting for a vote and to provide the Commission with the requested policies and documents.

The work session ran until 6:54 p.m., when the Council adjourned the meeting.