Parks and Rec committee discusses three potential sites
By Robert Cloud
The city’s Parks and Recreation Committee is looking at several possible sites for locating bicycle trails in or near New London.
Zack Howard has asked the city if it would consider providing bike trails for local residents.
Areas under consideration include land near Floral Hill Cemetery, city-owned land behind Walmart and the View Ridge Natural Area north of Allcan Road.
View Ridge is a 34-acre parcel that belongs to Outagamie County.
City Administrator Chad Hoerth told the committee at its Feb. 2 meeting that he spoke with Outagamie County Parks Director Loren Dieck about placing bike trails in View Ridge.
While the site can be developed for bike trails, the land is not under city jurisdiction.
Hoerth said a Fox Valley group has shown interest in the development of bike trails and the New London group could work with it.
Committee member John Faucher noted the land behind Walmart is flat and does not have many large trees.
Site near cemetery
Hoerth said he, Mayor Mark Herter and Howard met with Rob Way, a member of the Cemetery Commission, and Jamie Walbruck, the contracted cemetery sexton, to discuss placing the bike trails on a 10.25-acre wooded parcel adjacent to the cemetery.
The land has been seen as an area for expanding the cemetery for many years, Hoerth said.
Hoerth said the Cemetery Commission is concerned the bike trails would generate increased traffic driving through the cemetery, disturbing the cemetery’s serenity.
Faucher said the land was used for years as a dump site for yard waste and brush.
Although the city has discontinued using the site for dumping brush, it still owns the parcel, Faucher said.
Ald. Dave Dorsey said trails are already located on the land and merely need to be cleared to be used again.
He said the cemetery could close its drives to traffic during a funeral to avoid traffic.
The Parks and Recreation Committee decided it needs to hold a joint meeting with the Cemetery Commission to work out details regarding possible bike trails.