Planner presents Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan inventory, flags upgrades across Random Lake parks

At a March 10 joint Beautification/Lake, Parks and Recreation meeting in Random Lake, Lydia Bernhoft, environmental planner with the Bay Lake Regional Planning Commission, presented an inventory of village parks and vacant parcels as part of the village’s Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (CORP).

Bernhoft identified specific problems and opportunities at multiple sites. At Bertram Park she noted limited ADA-accessible parking and suggested a driveway west of the ballfield; committee members were also told there are estimates to rebuild the existing tennis and basketball courts and a potential to repurpose playground equipment from the school. At Bob McDermott Lakeview Park Bernhoft flagged a lack of playground equipment, parking-lot flooding and sand-quality concerns and listed opportunities including a bandstand, a kayak launch, expanded swimming area and an ADA path and gateway.

Kircher Park was noted for courts placed too close to a sandbox, parking constraints and restroom and concession-stand repairs; ideas discussed included removing the tennis courts, expanding the basketball court and adding batting cages or a winter ice rink. Burr Oak was described as damp and difficult to traverse, with a possible solution to fill a low section to create seating and passive nature space. Jacoby Memorial Park was described as underused; Bernhoft suggested public restrooms, a gazebo, multi-season activation and donation benches. At Memorial Park the planner cited adjacency to a snowmobile trail, limited seating and walking path needs, and potential utility relocation; suggested amenities included a pergola or gazebo, string lights, plantings and a water-bottle filler.

Bernhoft also reviewed Jessie Bay (noting unused green space and potential for kayak access and parking), Orth Drive (not ADA-compliant for park designation and currently limited to roadside parking, with opportunities for solar lighting and passive trails), Ernst Drive (parcel lacks road access and needs further study) and E Shore Drive (wetlands limit uses but the parcel offers lake access and a wooden boardwalk viewing bench).

The planner presented sample survey questions and solicited input from the committee on resident priorities — including interest in bike paths and urban-trail connectivity, playground locations and quality, and public bathroom needs. Bernhoft said she will produce a draft survey before the committee’s next meeting on April 28. The committee scheduled a public workshop on June 23 at 5:30 p.m. at the Library to gather resident input for the CORP.

Next steps recorded in the meeting minutes: committee members should visit parks to assess potential sign and amenity placements; Bernhoft will deliver a draft survey ahead of the April meeting; and the public workshop will be held June 23.