Walworth County parks staff report trail repairs, staffing shifts and plans to trial robotic mowers

Walworth County parks staff told the Park Committee on June 15 that repairs to the White River State Trail are substantially complete and that staff will monitor the reopened sections for settling before removing advisory signs.

"The bridge itself right now is passable," a parks operations representative said, noting crews will watch for continued settlement and add edge work and riprap where needed. The committee was told additional bridge‑repair funding is expected in July.

At the start of the meeting staff announced a personnel change: Tanya was promoted to parks foreman effective June 15. "Today's her official first day," the parks representative said; Steve will continue in the groundskeeper role while the department recruits an additional groundskeeper.

Staff presented a list of top projects that also included a low‑mow/no‑mow native grass conversion trial at the DPW property using sheep's fescue; plantings at the Lakeland Healthcare courtyard and the sheriff's office; and the purchase and field testing of a robotic mower. "We're going to do a field test on that at the Paris office," a parks manager said, describing a trial area of roughly 1.5–2 acres with intent to scale in 2027 if results are favorable.

Committee members and staff discussed routine campus maintenance: replacing benches on new stone pads at the nursing home, adding mulch and edging ahead of July 4 events, and installing new trash and pet‑waste stations at all four county parks. Staff also described ongoing invasive species removal, trail work and oak pruning to prevent oak wilt.

On budget pacing, staff said project spending is concentrated in the warmer months and reported about 30% of the project budget has been expended year‑to‑date, with roughly "just a little over $87,000" available for materials and projects. "Labor is the one that I can't touch," a parks official said, explaining staff levels and LTE (limited term employee) counts affect the ability to execute planned work. The department reported six LTEs this year, down from a target of seven after one staffer accepted a full‑time job; a recent pay raise has helped recruitment.

Committee members asked staff to inspect weather‑damaged signage and a trailhead kiosk and to present options for repair or replacement. Staff said they would assess the kiosk, reuse salvageable parts, replace posts and repair shingles as needed.

The committee did not take formal policy action on these items; staff said they will return with follow‑up as projects progress.