City of Oak Creek

Common Council Report

Meeting Date:  12/21/04

Item No.:         2

Recommendation:  That the Council approve the installation of a bike trailhead parking lot in Greenlawn Park, and where feasible overhead electric line(s) to be buried.

Background: In June of 2000, the City of Oak Creek received an award of $70,000 from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for a recreation trail development grant application.

On April 30, 2002, the DNR approved a request by the City to amend the scope of the project to include the development of the Manitoba Avenue to Marshall Avenue and Shepard Avenue to Oak Creek Parkway parking lot bike trail segments.  Included in their approval to amend the scope of the project, the DNR suggested development of an accessible parking area in Greenlawn Park and where feasible, overhead electric line(s) to be buried.

At that time, the Oak Creek-Franklin School District was considering Greenlawn Park site for a future early childhood education center or elementary school and the development of the bike trailhead parking lot was not pursued.

Development of the two bike trail segments was completed by June 30, 2004.  The DNR has reviewed the grant payment request for the recreational trail development grant and has informed me that there is a $20,179 grant balance remaining.  The DNR would like the City to use the grant balance toward development of the accessible parking area in Greenlawn Park.

I have enclosed a diagram of the proposed parking area with development cost estimates and cost estimates to bury the overhead electric line(s).  

If approved, the development of the bike trailhead parking lot could be included in the 2005 paving program.

At their November 8, 2004, meeting, the Parks, Recreation & Forestry Commission unanimously recommended that the Council approve this project.

This item was held at the November 16, 2004, meeting so area residents could be notified of the proposed project and given a chance to respond with questions or concerns. As of Friday, December 10, 2004, there have been no responses.

Fiscal Impact: 

The cost of the bike trailhead parking lot, and to bury the overhead electric line(s) is estimated at $22,079. Grant reimbursement would be 50%.  Currently, the City has approximately $210,277 in bikeway escrow funds and $50,000 in approved stewardship grant funds.

Prepared by: Doug Schachtner, CRPR	Respectfully submitted, Barbara S. Blumenfield, Ph.D City Administrator
Director of Parks, Rec & Forestry
Fiscal Review by: Beverly A. Buretta, CMC City Clerk