Birding groups and residents urge caution on Shoup Park plan, cite wetlands and erosion

Several public commenters and expert witnesses told the council the Shoup Park project requires additional environmental review before committing to a long-term lease. Commenters said Wind Point and Shoup Park are a major migratory stop with more than 270 species documented and warned that tree removal and engineered shoreline armoring could harm habitat.

"Shoup Park has been a place where they find safe harbor," said Michael Burke, speaking for an Audubon organization, noting the area's role on a north–south migratory route. Christine Kern (reading Abigail King's submission) urged the council to pause and said a Wisconsin DNR determination on Nov. 14, 2025 found six wetlands could not be classified as artificial and remain protected, meaning individual wetlands permitting and avoidance/alternatives analyses are required.

Parks director Kepnick explained the shoreline stabilization work is being treated as a resiliency and infrastructure issue, tracing risk to the January 2020 storm and describing species and tree inventory on the course. He said equipment access and limited tree removal may be necessary for stabilization work and that different habitat types (open water, shoreline beach, meadow, trees/woodland) are affected differently.

Opponents asked the council to delay action until permit and deed questions are resolved; proponents and the city attorney countered that the proposal preserves public ownership and that private management of city recreation facilities is a recognized public park use under Wisconsin law. The council approved the agreement but left permitting and environmental approvals as prerequisites to shoreline work.