Park improvements OK'd
Bayside — The village will move ahead with the first phase of improvements for Ellsworth Park, hoping to add a sidewalk and landscaping before the annual picnic in September.
Village Manager Andy Pederson said $13,000 is available for the work, including money raised from the sale of commemorative bricks.
The brick sales began when the village anticipated the creation of a landscaping feature at Brown Deer Road and Lake Drive. Construction changes in the intersection eliminated the possibility but the village had money from the brick sale, originally intended for landscaping at that intersection.
In February, landscape architect Margarete Harvey brought a plan to the Village Board for improvements to Ellsworth Park. The board decided to use the plan for the park and will incorporate the bricks into a sidewalk connecting the pavilion to the playground area.
"There are also other places where we can use the bricks if people want to buy them," Pederson said.
The second phase could include water fountains, flagpoles and other features. The third phase would include the park pavilion.
The village did a survey of residents late this winter to determine preferences for the pavilion, the location of the park restrooms.
Pederson said the building, used in the past as a warming facility for skaters, has a rubber floor. The village rents it out for events, but in recent years has closed it from November to April because of the high cost of utilities.
Forty-one percent of those answering the survey indicated a preference for a proposal to remove walls of the pavilion and create a covered gazebo.
Pederson said staff would develop alternatives and costs for both phases.
"Money will be the driving force," Pederson said of the future phases. "Residents can again buy bricks to offset some of the costs.
Bricks range in cost from $50 for a 4-inch by 8-inch brick to $1,000 for a 16-inch by 16-inch brick. Pederson said some residents have expressed interest in donations for other features, such as park benches. Anyone interested in purchasing bricks or making other donations should contact Village Hall at (414)351-8811.
.jpg)
Five North Shore police departments are teaming up on a new blog that provides residents with the crime prevention and safety tips, and news about community service projects and events throughout the area.
We encourage your comments but will strive to remove discussion that contains personal attacks, racial slurs, profanity or other inappropriate material as outlined in our guidelines. We post-moderate comments on most content, but may choose to pre-moderate some comments so please be patient if you don't see yours appear right way. We also ask for your help by reporting comments you think are inappropriate.
Please login or register to post a comment.