New London Cemetery, Parks committees hold joint meeting
By Robert Cloud
Members of the Cemetery Commission and the Parks and Recreation Committee reached a consensus after a joint meeting on Tuesday, March 2.
The joint meeting focused on a possible site for off-road bicycle trails.
On Feb. 2, the Parks and Rec Committee discussed several sites, including approximately 10 acres located adjacent to Floral Hill Cemetery.
City Administrator Chad Hoerth said the Cemetery Commission was reluctant to have bike trails adjacent to the cemetery.
“We watched your last meeting and we just feel there’s a ton of misinformation out there,” according to Laurie Shaw, a member of the Cemetery Committee.
“We never voted,” Shaw said at the joint meeting. “We never said we are not willing to partner on that property. I think people have talked about it, but it was never a formal thing.”
Shaw said the Cemetery Commission is concerned how public bicycle trails would affect the sanctity and solidtude of the cemetery.
Jason Bessette, general manager of the city’s utilities, said there is a water tower and a compost pile on the land.
“The reason we picked some of those sites is because they’re not so accessible to the public,” Bessette said. “My concern is that every 18-year-old in New London wants to climb the water tower.”
Bessette noted people have broken into the secured area around the water tower because they have access to the compost dumping site.
He said police, utility and cemetery staff cannot adequately monitor the site and protect city property and equipment there.
Concern for those visiting cemetery
In addition to safety concerns, Bessette described a conversation with a coworker who said she did not want to give directions to the bike trails while visiting her late husband’s grave.
Bessette said the concern for solitude “really hit home” after he spoke with his coworker.
Shaw asked that the Parks and Rec Committee seek public input and delve into the issue before making a decision.
Rob Way, another member of the Cemetery Commission, said Outagamie County has a parcel east of the city of New London where bicycle trails could be developed.
The 34-acre View Ridge Natural Area is near Mosquito Hill Nature Center.
Parks and Rec Committee member Dave Dorsey said the land adjacent to the cemetery already has bike trails that just need to be cleared for public use.
Shaw said she was not concerned about the handful of people who use the trails now, but the larger groups if the trails become a destination.
Ald. John Faucher said a gas-powered lawn mower can be just as distracting as a pedal bike.
After further discussion, members of both committees agreed the issue needed further research and more public input before proceeding.