Thursday, October 3, 2024

Manawa approves snowmobile trail on trial basis

Posted

A group is looking to make improvements at Triangle Park in Manawa, including adding an electronic sign to inform community members about upcoming events in the city.

Holly Neumann Photo

New sign at Triangle Park discussed

By Holly Neumann

The Manawa City Council has approved the Winter Wolves Snowmobile Club’s request for a snowmobile trail giving the club access to the city of Manawa.

The trail, which was approved at the council’s Oct. 16 meeting on a one-year trial basis, would come off of the millpond to Beach Street, then Bridge Street and Lindsay Park.

The trail will have speed limit signs and be monitored. If the trail gets abused, it could be shut down mid-season.

The council will review the matter next year.

Triangle Park signage

Community members Mary Mann and Dave Sarna addressed the council about Triangle Park.

In addition to making improvements to the current sign at the park, they would also like to add a two-sided electronic sign with a 2-foot-by-8-foot viewing area. They would like to have the project completed by the first week of August 2024 in time for the city’s 150th anniversary celebration.

The total cost of the project is estimated at $42,000, with donors covering half the cost. The hope is that the city would cover the remaining half.

“If the city does not have the money for this, we would have to go back to the drawing board for more donors,” Sarna said. “There has not been much done at Triangle Park in 50 years. Do what you can to find the dollars. It would benefit the community to know what is going on and attendance at functions will increase.”
No decision was made on the matter.

Mary Mengert addressed the council about community members not taking care of their lawns.

“How many times does a person need to call per year to get something done?” she asked. “It’s a continual struggle.”

She said she wants to see a penalty put in place for habitual offenders.

Currently, a letter is sent out to owners of problem properties. Once the grass gets to 8 inches, the city mows the lawn. No letter is sent out the next time. The city goes and mows the area, charging the property owners.

The matter will be turned over to the council’s Protection and Welfare Committee to look at repeat offenders and make possible changes to the current ordinance.