New London to seek DNR trail grant

By Robert Cloud

The boat launch at Riverside Park in New London will have two electronic pay stations this summer.

New London City Council members voted unanimously to purchase the two pay stations at its May 12 meeting.

The two pay stations will cost a total of $22,730 and be delivered within six weeks.

The city will save $3,750 per machine by not including a change-making option with the machines.

The daily fee for using the boat launch is $5.

The pay station was one of three recommendations the Parks and Recreation Committee forwarded to the council after its May 5 meeting.

The other two recommendations involved seeking a grant and changes in the city’s agreement with the Wolf River Art League regarding murals on city-owned buildings.

The council passed a resolution on May 12 authorizing city staff to apply for a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Stewardship Grant.

Grant funding would go toward developing the Newton Blackmore Trail Extension into the city.

Opened in the summer of 2015, the 22-mile trail runs along an abandoned railroad corridor, connecting New London, Shiocton, Black Creek and Seymour.

Currently, the trail starts at the corner of House Road and State Highway 54 one mile east of New London.

If New London is awarded the grant, the trail will extend to Pfeifer Park.

The project is estimated at about $1 million, with the DNR Stewardship Grant covering the majority of the cost.

Council members also voted to add language to its agreement with the Wolf River Art League.

Earlier, the council agreed to a contract that gave the art league permission to paint murals on city-owned buildings.

The new language requires the city to keep the murals in place for five years.

However, the five-year term is excluded if the building is damaged by fire, natural disaster or if the building is sold.