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Board adopts Parks & Open Space Plan 2026–30 and approves DNR grants for trail maintenance and invasive species control
Summary
The board adopted the Door County Parks and Open Space Plan 2026–30 and approved several DNR grants: $28,633.60 for Onupute Trail culvert work, a European frogbit monitoring/control grant (no county match), and a DNR award (~$23,988) for spiny water flea and starry stonewort prevention.
The Door County Board of Supervisors on March 24 adopted the Door County Parks & Open Space Plan 2026–30 (Resolution 2026-17) and approved multiple DNR-supported grants to maintain trails and address aquatic invasive species.
Parks Director Wayne told the board the plan’s revisions are primarily reformatting to align with state SCORP guidelines so the county can improve its competitiveness for grant funding; the plan adds environmental and ADA-related elements and preserves the county’s existing operational and management goals. "The changes of the plan are really in the formatting of the plan that we follow the state guidelines to help us achieve these grants," he said.
The board approved a DNR Recreational Trails grant of $28,633.60 for Onupute Trail maintenance (Resolution 2026-13). Wayne said the majority of the work will fund culvert inspections, repairs and replacements along the trail and that there are about 28 culverts between Sturgeon Bay and the county line.
Separately, the board accepted a DNR grant to monitor and control European frogbit (Resolution 2026-14). Greg described the invasive as "basically a little tiny lily pad" that can float into backwater areas and reproduce asexually; staff have removed 200–250 pounds annually at sites and recently found two new locations, prompting continued hand-removal and DNR monitoring.
The board also approved Resolution 2026-15, a roughly $32,000 project with a DNR grant of $23,988 for prevention of spiny water flea and starry stonewort. Greg explained the spiny water flea is a small zooplankton (about 1/4" to 1/2" long) that can clog fishing gear and the starry stonewort is a macroalgae that forms bottom mats; county managers emphasized the goal of keeping these species out of inland lakes.
Why it matters: The plan adoption aligns county park strategy with state grant guidelines and the DNR-funded projects fund mitigation and infrastructure work (culverts, invasive-species prevention) that affect recreation, habitat and lake health.
Each resolution passed by voice vote.
