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Commission favors spillway/levee crossing for Greater Pond trail rather than a ford or costly bridge
Summary
After design review, staff recommended a spillway/levee-style paved crossing for the Greater Pond trail because a forward/ford crossing could be inundated for extended periods; commissioners flagged ADA and permitting questions and asked for final cost comparisons.
Staff gave a design update on alternatives for a trail crossing at the downstream outlet of Greater Pond and recommended a spillway/levee-style paved crossing over a forward (ford-type) crossing or an expensive bridge.
"Assuming it's already filled up to the top, if we get a one‑year storm event and we have a forward crossing, the path would be inundated for 60 or more hours straight," the staff member said, explaining why a spillway/levee crossing would keep the trail more usable in common storm scenarios.
Staff said the bridge alternative, while it would avoid temporary inundation, was not included in the earlier $300,000 cost estimate and could substantially increase construction and future maintenance costs. Commissioners raised ADA accessibility concerns and asked staff to return with a final cost recommendation and confirmation of DNR permitting constraints before moving to final design.
Staff said 30% plans from MSA are under review and that the project will return for further Commission review as design advances. No final commitment was made at this meeting; staff will bring refined cost estimates and a recommended preferred alternative in a future packet.
