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September 14, 2026 Park Committee Agenda SEPTEMBER 14, 2026 PARK COMMITTEE AGENDA.PDF September 14, 2026 Park Committee Packet SEPTEMBER 14, 2026 PARK COMMITTEE PACKET.PDF 1. Documents: 2. Documents: County Board Park Committee MEETING NOTICE Monday, September 14, 2026 2:00 PM County Board Room 114 Walworth County Government Center 100 W. Walworth St., Elkhorn, Wisconsin Sheila Rieff, Chair Brian Holt, Vice-Chair Supervisor Rick Stacey Citizen Member Merilee Holst Citizen Member Mariette Nowak (Posted in compliance with Sec. 19.84, Wis. Stats.) A quorum of the Executive and Agriculture-Extension Education Committees will be in attendance. It is possible that a quorum of the county board or any of its other committees could be in attendance at this meeting. Agenda enclosures are available upon request from the County Administrator’s Office or on the County’s web page (www.co.walworth.wi.us). A G E N D A Note: all agenda items are subject to action. 1. Call to order 2. Roll call of committee members 3. Agenda withdrawals, if any 4. Agenda approval 5. Approval of minutes a) June 15, 2026, Park Committee Meeting (encl. pp. 1-2) 6. Public comment period 7. Consent Items a) Reports NOTICE: THIS MEETING IS PLANNED TO PROVIDE FOR REMOTE OR OFF -SITE ATTENDANCE BY COMMITTEE MEMBERS. THE PUBLIC CAN WATCH THE MEETING STREAMING LIVE AT https://bit.ly/2026SeptPARK Individuals wanting to provide a Public Comment can do so in person or remotely by telephone. Those wishing to comment by telephone must contact the County Administrator’s Office at 262- 741-4357 on the day of the meeting and at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the meeting to AGENDA – Walworth County Park Committee Monday, September 14, 2026, at 2:00 PM Page 2 of 2 1) Park Summary Report –September 2026 (encl. pp. 3-13) 8. New Business a) Veterans Park In-Focus (encl. pp. 14-18) b) Parks and Open Space Plan Chapters 3 & 4 Draft (encl. pp. 19-51) c) ATV Discussion (Multimodal Use) on White River County Trail (encl. pp. 52-53) d) Overview of the Park Division 2027 Operating Budget (encl. pp. 54-59) 9. Reports/announcements by Chairperson 10. Set/confirm next meeting date and time a) Monday, November 16, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. 11. Adjournment Submitted by: Sheila T. Reiff, Committee Chairperson Richard Hough, Public Works Director Posted: September 10, 2026 Public Works | W4097 County Road NN | Elkhorn, WI 53121 www.co.walworth.wi.us | (262) 741-3114 (o) | (262) 741-3117 (f) VN Memorandum To: Parks Committee Cc: Mark Luberda, County Administrator From: Vijay Narayanan, Parks Manager Date: September 2, 2026 Re: September 14, 2026 Park Committee Meeting The following is an overview of items scheduled for the Park Committee Meeting. Should you have any questions before this meeting, please get in touch with me at your convenience. Consent Items - Reports The following reports are included on the Agenda. No action is required unless you have questions that may be placed in the file. 1) Park Summary Report – September 2026 – Vijay Narayanan & Tanya Simek The General Park Manager and Director of Public Works request that you accept these reports; no vote is required. New Business Veterans Park In-Focus – Tanya Simek & Steve Messick Informational presentation on Veterans Park. Parks and Open Space Plan Chapters 3 & 4 Draft – Richard Hough & Vijay Narayanan Discussion and review of the Change Log, Executive Summary, Chapter 3 – Existing Park and Open Space Sites, and Chapter 4 – Objectives, Principles, and Standards; Parks and Open Space Needs Analysis ATV Discussion (Multimodal Use) on White River County Trail – Richard Hough Discuss considerations for allowing ATV multimodal use on the White River County Trail, including safety implications, trail compatibility, regulatory needs, and potential impacts on other recreational users. Overview of the Park Division 2027 Operating Budget – Richard Hough Public Works will present highlights of the Park Division 2027 operating budget to include supporting goals and objectives. /sa DRAFT Walworth County Board of Supervisors P ark Committee Meeting Minutes Monday, June 15, 2026 Walworth County Government Center, County Board Room 114 100 West Walworth Street, Elkhorn, Wisconsin Chair Sheila T. Reiff called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. R oll call was conducted, and the following members were present: Chair Sheila T. Reiff; Vice-Chair Brian Holt (remote); Supervisor Rick Stacey; Citizen Members Merilee Holst and Mariette Nowak (remote). A quorum was declared. O thers in Attendance County Staff: Walworth County Administrator Mark W. Luberda; Corporation Counsel/Director of Land Use and Resource Management Michael Cotter; Director-Public Works Richard Hough; Deputy Director-Asset Management (PW) Vijay Narayanan; Environmental Resource & Parks Foreman Tanya Simek; and Public Works Groundskeeper Steve Messick. Members of the Public: Geneva Lakes Conservancy; Executive Director Ashley Hatley Caruso, Land Protection Director Kiera Senese, and Community Outreach/Fundraising Manager Tai Thompson. O n motion by Supervisor Stacey, second by Citizen Member Nowak, the agenda was approved with no withdrawals. O n motion by Supervisor Stacey, second by Citizen Member Holst, the April 27, 2026, Park Committee meeting minutes were approved. P ublic Comment – There was none. Co nsent Items 7a. Reports 1) Park Summary Report - June 2026 Deputy Director-Asset Management (PW) Vijay Narayanan announced that Tanya Simek has been p romoted to Environment Resource & Parks Foreman. Narayanan reviewed the Top Five Projects on p ages 4 & 5 of the packet. Groundskeeper Steve Messick reviewed Upcoming Events or Work on page 5 of the packet. Citizen Member Holst inquired about the repair and replacement schedule for the signs at Natureland Park. Messick confirmed that staff are working towards its completion. Simek reviewed the Completed Events on page 6 of the packet. Narayanan reviewed the 2026 Parks Operating Budget on page 7 of the packet and the Department Capital Projects on page 8. A discussion was held on the department's budgetary goals. U nfinished Business 8a. Follow-up Discussion of Long-Term Planning: SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) Director-Public Works Richard Hough outlined the objective of expanding the use of robotic mowers to reallocate staff time from routine mowing to park improvement projects. 8b . Follow-up Discussion of Report of Polluted Bodies of Water in Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (p.24-28) Corporation Counsel and Director of Land Use and Resource Management, Michael Cotter, provided an overview of the memorandum found on pages 24-28 of the packet. During the discussion, Cotter clarified that the information referenced in the article was not new, despite being presented as such. He noted that guidance from the Department of Natural Resources has been limited; however, the County has been actively addressing these issues. He further highlighted that the County hosted a Keep it Blue: Reducing Phosphorus in Our Lakes seminar in 2019 to address these issues. 1 of 59 Walworth County Board of Supervisors June 15, 2026, Park Committee Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 2 N ew Business 9a. 2027 Budget Ideas or Considerations Walworth County Administrator Mark W. Luberda invited the Park Committee to share ideas or considerations for the 2027 budget. Hough emphasized improving the parks’ expenditure rate in 2027 and encouraged increased collaboration with the Highway Department. The strategy is still in development. Additional contracted services, such as mulching, are being considered to maximize available resources. Committee members suggested, among other considerations, lifespan schedules for sign repair/replacement and adequate funding for potential new park acquisition and maintenance. 9b . Geneva Lakes Conservancy (GLC) Annual Report Narayanan invited Geneva Lakes Conservancy (GLC) staff to give their annual report. Geneva Lakes Conservancy Land Protection Director Kiera Senese and Community Outreach/Fundraising Manager Tai Thompson presented their report found on pages 29-37 of the packet. They highlighted GLC’s own “Keep it Blue” pledge and introduced their new Executive Director, Ashley Hatley Caruso. 9c. P arks and Open Space Plan Chapters 1 and 2 Draft Hough noted that the Parks and Open Space Plan must be updated every five years to maintain eligibility for grant funding. He provided an overview of the revisions made to Chapters 1 and 2 and invited any questions or suggested edits. Members asked whether population figures account for year-round versus seasonal or vacation residents. Hough clarified that the calculation methods do include these distinctions. Hough plans to present Chapter 3 at the next Parks Committee meeting once Public Works has an opportunity to collect municipal input. R eports/Announcements by Chairperson – There were none. C onfirmation of next meeting date and time: The next meeting was confirmed for Monday, September 14, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. A djournment O n motion and second by Supervisor Stacey and Vice-Chair Holt, Chair Reiff adjourned the meeting at 2:57 p.m. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Submitted by Sarah Larsen Administrative Assistant. Meeting minutes are not considered final until approved by the Park Committee at the next regularly scheduled meeting. 2 of 59 Public Works | W4097 County Road NN | Elkhorn, WI 53121 www.co.walworth.wi.us | (262) 741-3114 (o) | (262) 741-3117 (f) VN Me morandum To: Parks Committee Cc: Richard Hough, Director Public Works Cc: Walworth County Administrator – Mark Luberda From: Vijay Narayanan, Parks General Manager D ate: September 2, 2026 Re: Parks Summary Report – September 2026 Top Five Projects Project Location Remarks 1 Storm Damage Clean-Up Ops WRST & WRP The July 3rd storm generated a ‘downburst,’ caused widespread tree damage, structural impacts, and significant power outages across Walworth County. 2 Mulching Operations GC & Campus DPW with vendor support completed mulching operations at the Government Center and along Country Rd NN at the County Campus. 3 Planter bed cleaning, trimming, and mulching LS C rews cleared debris, pruned vegetation, and re- mulched planter beds and courtyards to keep public spaces safe and tidy. 4 Robotic Mowing Trial SO Field testing of a robotic mower at the Sheriff’s Office 5 Campus & GC Herbicide/ Nutrition Campus & GC Fall herbicide and nutrition treatments are in progress (40% complete). White River State Trail (WRST), White River Park (WRP), Government Center (GC), Lakeland School (LS), Sheriff’s Office (SO) 3 of 59 Page Two Parks Summary Report U pcoming Events or Work Project Park/Location Remarks MOU Events PPC, WRP KMLT- PPC, Prairie seed collection 9/9. GLC- WRP, Invasive species removal 9/16. Maintenance Border/Picnic Table Pads GC Install a maintenance border to alleviate weed pressure along the sidewalk from winter operations. Install new picnic pads and secure the anchor benches. Highway/Park Collab PPC Main driveway culvert replacement. Natural Playscape PPC Glen Fern is currently installing a natural playground near the pavilion. Low Grow Conversion DPW Convert ~10 acres of lawn areas at DPW to low grow. Acreage has been sprayed and tilled with reseeding scheduled in the fall. Parking Lot Islands Campus Campus-wide rehab of all parking lot islands w/universal planting design. Park Amenities WRP, NLP, PPC, VET Install new trash cans and pet waste stations. Trail Signage WRP, NLP, PPC Replace trail markers and fix old kiosk signs that are faded and broken. Trail Work PPC Ongoing. Trail redirects and slope restorations. Fall/Winter Invasive Species Removal WRP, PPC, NLP Develop a forestry/vegetation management plan to start removing invasives. Bridge Railing NLP Repair/Replace bent bridge railing. Fall Overseed GC, JC Overseed all of GC and front of JC. Price Park Conservancy (PPC), White River Park (WRP), Kettle Moraine Land Trust (KMLT), Geneva Lakes Conservancy (GLC), Government Center (GC), Public Works (DPW), Natureland Park (NLP), Veterans Park (VET), Judicial Center (JC) 4 of 59 Page Three Parks Summary Report Co mpleted Events or Work (Past Two Months) Price Park Conservancy (PPC), White River Park (WRP), Kettle Moraine Land Trust (KMLT), Geneva Lakes Conservancy (GLC), Lakeland Health Care Center (LHCC), Sheriff’s Office (SO), Webster House (WEB), Government Center (GC), White River State Trail (WRST) Project Park/Location Remarks MOU Events PPC, WRP KMLT – NL, Fall Nature Art 9/12. GLC - WRP, Raptor Presentation 7/31. Replacement Benches LHCC Remove old broken benches from LHCC and install new pads with new benches. Volunteer Workday WRP Installed 20 oak trees with the help of volunteers. Courtyard Plantings LHCC/SO Courtyards were redesigned and completed with natural hardscape and native plantings. Historical Marker Refurbishment WEB The historical marker was repainted and reinstalled. Mulch Campus, GC Mulch was installed by a vendor around campus/GC. Parks installed mulch at Lakeland School and trimmed all bushes around the building to meet new standards. Continuous Pruning and Trimming Campus Prune and trim trees and shrubs on campus. Herbicide Treatment Campus, GC Spray herbicide to control aggressive weed species. Bat Boxes PPC Boy Scout troops installed two bat boxes at Price Park. Trail Work PPC Map and field locate trail redirects and slope restorations. WRST Bridge Repair WRST Bridges were repaired with the help of the Snowmobile Alliance, and trails were reopened. 5 of 59 Page Four Parks Summary Report 202 6 Parks Operating Budget: Monies reported via Munis as of 08/26/2026. A sset 2026 Revised Budget Expenditures & Encumbrances to date Remaining Balance County Complex $85,555 $21,415 (25.0%) $64,140** Parks & Trails* $108,568 $46,641 (43.0%) $61,927 Natureland Park $45,370 $12,359 (27.2%) $33,011 Price Park $62,875 $24,646 (39.2%) $38,229 White River Park $92, 140 $54,981 (59.7%) $37,159 White River State Trail $30,305 $34,524 (113.9%) ($4,219) Parks/Trails/ Complex $905 $802 (88.6%) $103 Total $425,718 $195,368 (45.9%) $230,350*** NOTE: Includes Asset Directed Labor & Benefits * Parks and Trails General (Non-Asset Specific Items) ** Includes DPW Funds Allocated to S/S Sewer Maintenance/ Repair - $24,055 (5.7%) 1. Initiate budget transfers against the $24k to reallocate to other accounts to support additional vendor services. *** DPW Labor + Fringe Available = $162,518 (38.2%) *** DPW Other Funds Available (not including labor + fringe) = $43,777 (10.2%) • 2026 Year-End Goal < 2.5% 6 of 59 Page Five Parks Summary Report 7 of 59 Page Six Parks Summary Report P arks Department Capital Projects Project CIP Budget Status Remarks Sheriff’s Office - Employee Courtyard Reno. (W2435) $40,000 95% Complete ($26,556) Misc plant material for planter stands – fall/ spring. White River – Park Dog Park (W2537) $36,000 Complete ($35,423) Amenities (benches/ dog stations, etc) are being installed in September. Price Park – Natural Playground (W2538) $90,000 Construction Phase (~$82,000) Construction In-Progress; Estimated Substantial Completion – Mid October Price Park – Disc Golf Course – Design (W2616) $20,000 Initial Phase Design – 2026 Construction 2027 Price Park – Parking Lot Replacement (W2615) $36,000 Initial Phase Design – 2026 – researching alternate design options Construction - 2028 8 of 59 Page Seven Parks Summary Report Pr ice Park – Natural Playground - Progress Photos – 09-01-2026 9 of 59 Jonah Kenth - Eagle Scout Project - Bat House @ Price Park 10 of 59 11 of 59 12 of 59 Price Park WALWORTH COUNTY, WISCONSIN Grid NorthGeodetic North Ö 0 100 200 300 400 50050 Feet Wisconsin State Plane Coordinate System, South Zone Horizontal Datum: NAD83-2011 Map Produced on: Walworth County Information Technology Department Land Information Division 1800 County Trunk NN Elkhorn, Wisconsin 53121-1001 DISCLAIMER: THE INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THIS MAP HAS BEEN PRODU CED AND PROCESSED FROM SOURCES BELIEVED TO BE RELIABLE. NO WARRANTY, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, IS MADE REGARDING ACCURACY, ADEQUACY, COMPLETENESS, LEGALITY, RELIABILITY OR USEFULNESS OF THIS INFORMATION. THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AS AN OFFICIAL DOCUMENT. Author: 8/7/2026 1:3,195 13 of 59 Veterans Park 14 of 59 Features • Total Size: 6.7 acr es • Park/Lawn ~ 4. 2 acres • Veterans Mem orial • U.S. M47 Patton Tank • Butterfly Garden 15 of 59 Current Amenities • Parking Lot • P icnic Tables/ Benches • Pet Waste Stations 16 of 59 Recent Updates • Trees & Planter Beds Edged & Mulc hed • Granular Base for Picnic Table/ Ben ches 17 of 59 Coming Soon Ice Rink 18 of 59 Public Works | W4097 County Road NN | Elkhorn, WI 53121 www.co.walworth.wi.us | (262) 741-3114 (o) | (262) 741-3117 (f) Memorandum To: Parks Committee Cc: Walworth County Administrator – Mark Luberda From: Director of Public Works – Richard Hough RAH Date: August 18, 2026 Re: Parks & Open Space Plan Chapter 3 & 4 Review Following our June review of Chapters 1 and 2 of the Parks & Open Space Plan, staff have completed the solicitation process and gathered feedback from municipalities and conservation groups. Draft updates for Chapters 3 and 4 are now finished. Meanwhile, the draft plan has been posted on our website, and we have promoted the solicitation for public comments via social media. To further encourage public participation, information will be distributed during the upcoming Clean Sweep event on October 2 and 3, ahead of our initial Public Information Meeting at Public Works from 3–5 PM on October 12. Tentative Timeline: • October 2 & 3: Clean Sweep – Solicitation for Public Comments • October 12: Public Information Meeting at Public Works (3–5 PM) • November 16: Parks Committee Review of Appendices • December (TBD): Public Information Meeting in Lake Geneva • January 18, 2027: Final Review and Comments on draft POSP by Parks Committee • March 15, 2027: Presentation and Publication of Completed POSP 19 of 59 Change No. Page # Change Type Description Recommended Changes Change Agency Change Agent Status Other Actions or Implications Identified Date Approved 1 Title Page Condition Changed Cover Page NA Walworth Hough Staff Approved 8/18/2026 2 Title Page Condition Edition Deleted Community Assistance Planning Report No. 135 (4th Edition) and Updated to Read "5th Edition" Walworth Hough Staff Approved Remove all similar references throughout document 8/18/2026 3 Title Page Condition SEWRPC Updated Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission to "Walworth County Department of Public Works" Walworth Hough Staff Approved Remove all similar references throughout document 8/18/2026 4 Official Page Condition Change in Commission and County Officials Removed SEWRPC officials and staff. Changed Ryan G. Simons, Vice-Chair to Sheila T. Reiff, Vice Chair and added Bud Wojcik under the Board of Supervisors. Also, replace Matt Mortwedt with Vijay Narayanan as Deputy Director - Asset Management Walworth Hough Staff Approved 8/18/2026 5 Prepared By Condition Change Prepared By Changed Prepared by to "Prepared by the Walworth County Department of Public Works, W 4097 County Road NN, Elkhorn, WI 53121" Walworth Hough Staff Approved 8/18/2026 6 Prepared By Condition Update Date Update Date to Reflect Potential Publication Date Walworth Hough Open Update upon Committee Plan Approval 8/18/2026 7 iii Condition Changed paragraph 2 Captured intent to conduct an internal update until new census data (2030) or a change in SEWRPCs major planning year (2050) Walworth Hough Staff Approved 8/18/2026 8 iii Condition Change Plan History (Final Paragraph) Change The plan… to "The plan was revised and updated in 2000, 2014, 2019, and 2022. The 2014 plan was amended in 2015 to include plan recommendations for the newly acquired White River County Park. This plan is the 5th edition and sustains the 4th edition's design year of 2050. Walworth Hough Staff Approved 8/18/2026 9 iv Condition Highlighted Park Committee Dates No Changes Made Walworth Hough Open Update upon Committee Reviews 8/18/2026 10 iv Condition Changed "in 2020" Update "in 2020" to 2026 for County Assets Walworth Hough Staff Approved 8/18/2026 11 iv Condition Need to Confirm Data Confirm number of conservation sites remains same Walworth Hough Open 8/18/2026 12 vi Strategy Confirm Plan Recommendation with Committee Determine if county-related items remain relevant, e.g., conoe access, etc. Walworth Hough Open Early Committee Discussion 8/18/2026 13 vi Condition Removed reference to SEWRPC online Walworth Hough Staff Approved 8/18/2026 14 vii - x Condition Update Table of Content Post Approval Update Walworth Hough Open 8/18/2026 15 1 Condition Update Paragraph 1.1 Changed current version date and report reference Walworth Hough Staff Approved 8/18/2026 16 2 Condition Updates 1st paragraph Added "and plan updates." Walworth Hough Staff Approved 8/18/2026 17 2 Strategy Updated 3rd paragraph Updated edition data and plan update strategy Walworth Hough Staff Approved 8/18/2026 18 2 Strategy Change title and paragraph 1.3 Changed from SEWRPC update strategy to capture counties strategy Walworth Hough Staff Approved Updated Table of Contents 8/18/2026 19 5 Strategy changes "existing" to "relevant" Word change to capture the fact that Walworth County population growth since 2022 has been on a low-growth trajectory with little impact on plan strategy. Walworth Hough Staff Approved 8/18/2026 20 5 Condition Update popultion and household references Captured low-growth conditions between 2020 to 2025 Walworth Hough Staff Approved 8/18/2026 21 6 Condition Update Table 2.1 Captured 2025 population data Walworth Hough Staff Approved 8/18/2026 22 7 Condition Update Age Distribution paragraph Captured critical changes since 2010 Walworth Hough Staff Approved 8/18/2026 23 12 Condition Updated 1st paragraph Changed sentence structure to reference both the 2014 and 2022 updates. Walworth Hough Staff Approved 8/18/2026 24 39 Strategy Update 3.1 Introductio, update dates and references to what the plan intended to update and what was kept from 2022 plan Changed 2020 to 2026; altered paragraph flow Walworth Hough Staff Approved 8/18/2026 25 41 Condition Updated paragraph 2 Deleted reference to canoe access point in parks. Walworth Hough Staff Approved 8/18/2026 26 41 Condition Updated paragraph 3 Change date from 2020 to 2022 Walworth Hough Staff Approved 8/18/2026 27 41 Condition Last paragraph Change the last paragraph to fit within page but kept the same context Walworth Hough Staff Approved 8/18/2026 28 41 Condition Change footnote Change footnote to fit within page but kept the same context Walworth Hough Staff Approved 8/18/2026 29 42 Condition Change dates Change date from 2020 to 2022 Hough 8/18/2026 30 42 Condition Need to Confirm Data Confirm number of public sites remains same Walworth Hough Open 8/18/2026 31 44-45 Condition Need to Confirm Data Confirm number of public sites remains same Walworth Hough Open 8/18/2026 32 46-47 Condition Need to Confirm Data Confirm number of public sites remains same Walworth Hough Open 8/18/2026 33 46,49 Condition Updated Bike Path Map Utilized Vision 2050 (Trans) Bike Map Walworth Hough Staff Approved 8/18/2026 34 50 Condition Updated number of historical sites Changed from 41 to 44 individual sites; listed the three new sites Walworth Hough Staff Approved 8/18/2026 35 54 Strategy Added date to text on Regional Plan Outlining last time region updated their plan Walworth Hough Staff Approved 8/18/2026 36 55 Strategy Update population forecast projects Removed intermediate population project to emphasis recent DOA projections that result in a decrease in county population by 20250 Walworth Hough Staff Approved 8/18/2026 37 55 Strategy Sustained high-growth strategy due to growth in touri Sustained high-growth strategy but added emphasis on tourism versus residential growth Walworth Hough Staff Approved 8/18/2026 38 55 Condition Update population forecast projects Clerks population est. 107,415 Walworth Hough Staff Approved 8/18/2026 39 56-57 Condition Date update Changed 2020 to 2025 Walworth Hough Staff Approved 8/18/2026 40 57 Condition Update parking accommodate sentence Change sentence to demonstrate updated parking accommodations at WRP Walworth Hough Staff Approved 8/18/2026 41 57 Condition Need picnic inventory count Determine if we have 3.8 tables per 1,000 Walworth Hough Open 8/18/2026 42 58 Condition Update Rustic Road Data Add a seventh road; updated mileage Walworth Hough Staff Approved 8/18/2026 43 60 Condition Disc Golf Updated Disc Golf Paragraph Walworth Hough Open 8/18/2026 44 60 Condition Dog Parks Updated information on Dog Parks Walworth Hough Staff Approved 8/18/2026 45 61 Condition Update SCORP Data Update applicable years of the current SCOPR Walworth Hough Staff Approved 8/18/2026 46 63 Condition PIM dates Documented Comments Update Section and Appendix C once PIM complete Walworth Hough Open 8/18/2026 47 63 Condition Final Plan Approval Date Update Date upon Plan Approval Walworth Hough Open 8/18/2026 48 64,66 Condition Update land conservation acreage totals and Table 5.1, by engaging GLC, KMLT and DNR for recent changes Change acreage total based on GLC, KMLT and DNR updates Walworth Hough Open NOTE: Piening Property is already accounted for in the totals from the 2022 POSP 8/18/2026 49 71-76, 78 Condition Update Table 5.2 by engaging municipalities Confirm table accuracy with municipalities Walworth Hough Open 8/18/2026 50 86, 89 Strategy Review on/off trail map Review and update map, potentially update highway or park strategies Walworth Hough Open See Also Table 5.5 8/18/2026 51 87-88 Strategy Proposed County Park Update Paragraph on Proposed Park Walworth Hough Open Following Committee Review of 4th Park 8/18/2026 52 89, 94 Strategy Update Table 5.5 with CIP data Update based on CIP and latest all-Parks plans Walworth Hough Staff Approved Update Table 5.6 based on Table 5.5 updates 8/18/2026 53 95 Condition Deleted paragraph on ARPA funding Deleted paragraph Walworth Hough Staff Approved 8/18/2026 54 TBD Strategy Incorporate Ice-Rink Details in Elkhorn If Ice Rink Donated Walworth Hough Open 8/18/2026 55 125 Condition Review County Plans with LURM Confirm Plans are accurate Walworth Hough Open 8/18/2026 56 126 Condition Update State Comprehensive Plan Data New Plan is 2025-2030 Walworth Hough Staff Approved 8/18/2026 57 127 - 131 Condition Replace all Comment Forms; Recreate Form Following PIM, Replace Form Walworth Hough Open New Form Created and In File 8/18/2026 58 135 - Condition Replace Adoption Resolution Replace Resolution upon approval Walworth Hough Open 8/18/2026 20 of 59 59 iv Strategy Add line or subsection to KMLT information about Lyons Biodiverstity Project Operating as a committee witin the volunteer structure of Kettle Moraine Land Trust, the Lyons Biodiversity Project educates landowners in cooperative land management practices that protect and ehnace bodidversity in Lyons Township. Walworth Narayanan Open 8/18/2026 60 iv Condition Correct # of parks to 'three' unless including Veterans Park in count, which would make 'four' correct. Use 'four' as the correct number fo parks owned by the County. Walworth Narayanan Open 8/18/2026 61 vi Condition Update # of parks owned by the County to match # stated on page iv. Update 'three owned' to 'four owned' Update 'six major parks' to 'seven major parks' Update 'five existing' to 'six existing' Walworth Narayanan Open standing; Confirm table and add to vi page sente 8/18/2026 62 7 Strategy Employment section - possibly add note about high cost variation intra-County Walworth Narayanan Open 8/18/2026 63 9 Condition Historic Urban Growth section Change 'opportunity' in 2nd paragraph to 'intention' Walworth Narayanan Open 8/18/2026 64 47 Condition Update totals from Table 3.5 in paragraph Added acreas and number of sites Walworth Hough Staff Approved 8/18/2026 65 47 Condition Update totals on Table 3.5 in paragraph Added acreas and number of sites to table Walworth Hough Staff Approved 8/18/2026 66 55, 70-71 Condition DNR transferred an additional 420 acres to the Turtle Valley Wildlife Area in 2024. Update total conservation acreage in Table 5.1; increase Turtle Valley WA by +420 acres; adjust county total acreage accordingly. Walworth Hough Staff Approved https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Lands/Wildlif eAreas/turtlevalley; Update paragraph summarizing land conservation to reflect the acreage increase and revised percentages. 25-Feb-26 67 69, 76 (Table 5.2), 78 Strategy Lyons Biodiversity Project (LBP), operated under KMLT and coordinated with public and private landowners, has expanded its role in habitat restoration. Updated table 5.2 (Page 76) with impact on Page 69, and included new bullet on project (Page 78) Walworth Hough Staff Approved Update relevant narrative in introductory and KMLT sections to describe LBP’s recent initiatives and committee structure.https://kmlandtrust.org/lyons- biodiversity-project/ 25-Feb-26 68 69 Condition Update acreas totals Updates to Table 5.2 and totals required changes to paragraph totals Walworth Hough Staff Approved 18-Aug-26 69 61 Condition Change in municipal ownership Change Town to Village of Bloomfield owners of Pell Lake on Table 4.2 Walworth Hough Staff Approved 23-Mar-26 70 75 Condition Change in municipal ownership Change Town to Village of Bloomfield owners of #87/88 on Table 5.2 Walworth Hough Staff Approved 23-Mar-26 71 72 Condition 4.2 - last paragraph - change year from 2000 to 2020 Changed Walworth Narayanan Staff Approved 8/18/2026 72 76 Condition 4.3 - Picnicking (pg 76) - # of parking spacing 24/18 is based on the # of picnic tables. Unable to source count on picnic tables? Include the current count of picnic tables at each park. Walworth Narayanan Waiting Feedback 8/18/2026 73 76 Condition Update Total Acres Table 5.2 Deleted acreage, reduced table summary total Walworth Hough Staff Approved 8/18/2026 74 77 Condition 4.3 - Standards for Trail Facilities (pg 77)- last paragraph - public nature study center Reference to Science Education & Nature Center at Timber Lee (privately owned and operated) in East Troy. Public programming for science/nature education is offered by the County through MOU partnerships. Walworth Narayanan Open 8/18/2026 75 80 Condition Other Recreation Needs - outdoor gym or senior fitness provisions. Check if park surveys (after 2026 poll) support any outdoor gym or senior fitness type needs. Walworth Narayanan Waiting Feedback 8/18/2026 76 84 Condition 5.3 - Cost to acquire additional 10,982 acres Update the estimated cost for land acquisition to $144M. Walworth Narayanan Waiting Feedback 8/18/2026 77 111 Condition Major Parks - note to acquire additional land at Price and/or Natureland Park? Eliminate verbiage "acquire additional lands'. Walworth Narayanan Staff Approved 8/18/2026 78 113 Condition Price Park - acquistion of additional land Eliminate verbiage "Under this plan… acquire an additional 189 acres". Walworth Narayanan Staff Approved 8/18/2026 79 113 Condition Natureland Park - acquisition of additional land Eliminate verbiage "This plan recommends… additional 158 acres". Walworth Narayanan Staff Approved 8/18/2026 80 113 Condition White River - barn renovations Eliminate paragraph #2 Walworth Narayanan Staff Approved Updated paragraph to only include repair and renovation work related to the preservation of the facility. 8/18/2026 81 116 Strategy Areawide Recreation Trails - Funding Possibly add verbiage that only feasible if 'grant' funded. Walworth Narayanan Waiting Feedback 8/18/2026 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 21 of 59 No. Municipality Page # Change Type Description Recommended Changes Change Agency Status Other Actions or Implications Identified Date Approved 1 V. East Troy 27 Condition Map 2.6 Removed dam NA V. East Troy Staff Approved 4-Feb-26 2 V. East Troy 104 Condition Schools Changes Table A.1 Line 194/195 Chester Byrnes school razed and replaced with Little Prairie Primary School. East Troy Elentary changed to East Troy Elementary. V. East Troy Staff Approved 4-Feb-26 3 V. East Troy 109 Condition Schools Changes Table A.2 Line 170 St. Peter's School closed V. East Troy Staff Approved 4-Feb-26 4 V. East Troy 105 Condition Schools Changes Map A.1 Delete Line 170 (Also, in wrong location) V. East Troy Staff Approved 4-Feb-26 5 V. Fontana 105 Condition Table A.1 Update date Table A.1 by adding .5 acres to Hildebrand Conservat V. Fontana Staff Approved 25-Feb-26 6 V. Bloomfield 17,21 Lower Right on Page Condition Update Map 2.5 and Table 2.6 (In East Troy Area) Update Table 2.6 by removing Thiede Road Tamarack Swamp. Remove #21 from Map 2.5. V. Bloomfield The swamp was taken over by an ogre. 23-Mar-26 7 V. Bloomfield 21-22 Condition Change in Municipal Ownership Update Table 2.6 by updating Town to Village V. Bloomfield Staff Approved 23-Mar-26 8 V. Bloomfield 28 Condition Change in Municipal Ownership Update Table 2.7 by updating Town to Village V. Bloomfield Staff Approved 23-Mar-26 9 V. Bloomfield 72 Condition Change in Municipal Ownership Update Table 5.2 by updating Town to Village V. Bloomfield Staff Approved 23-Mar-26 10 T. Sharon No Changes Required 11 C. Whitewater No Observable Changes 12 C. Delavan No Observable Changes 13 T. East Troy 59 Condition Update Parking Availability Army Lake: 32 Car/Trailer Parking. Beulah Lake: 30 Car/Trailer, 2 Handicap T. East Troy Staff Approved 27-Jul-26 14 T. East Troy 59 Condition Update Ownership Lulu Lake Not a Town Property; Wisconsin Conservation Commissioner T. East Troy Staff Approved 27-Jul-26 15 T. East Troy 75 Condition Remove 82 WisDNR Sold Property to Vortex T. East Troy Staff Approved 27-Jul-26 16 T. East Troy 75 Condition Add Town of East Troy Property h Bluff Preserve N9026 Bakavi Way, East Troy, WI 53120, 8 T. East Troy Staff Approved 27-Jul-26 17 V. Genoa City No Changes Required 27-Jul-26 18 T. Linn No Changes Required 27-Jul-26 19 V. Sharon No Changes Required 27-Jul-26 20 V. Mukwanago No Changes Required 29-Jul-26 21 T. Lafayette No Changes Required 29-Jul-26 22 T. Spring Prairie No Changes Required 29-Jul-26 23 V. Williams Bay 101 Condition Ownership #8 Williams Bay Elementary School has been sold and has joined #10 Williams Bay High/Junior High School parcel, no extra land purchased V. Williams BayStaff Approved 30-Jul-26 24 V. Darien 102 Condition Ownership West Park is Village Property V. Darien Staff Approved 10-Aug-26 22 of 59 Change No. Group Page # Change Type Description Recommended Changes Change Agency Status Date Approved 1 KMLT 48 Condition Table 3.5 Update Added Two Easements KMLT Staff Approved 11-Jun-26 2 KMLT 79 Condition Updated Update on Lyons Biodiversity Project Changes parcel count and acreage KMLT Staff Approved 11-Jun-26 3 GLC 21 Condition Table 2.6- #30 #30-Online listed as "Lake Ivanhoe Fen & Sedge Meadow", not sure if want that changed or not GLC Staff Approved 10-Jul-26 4 GLC 17 Condition Map 2.5- #5 #5- On document provided cannot see #5 on chart, but want to ensure that "Lulu Lake and Eagle Spring Lake Wetland Complex and Adjacent Uplands" shows partial ownership by GLC- High Trees Wildlife Preserve GLC Staff Approved 10-Jul-26 5 GLC 21 Condition Table 2.6 Do we want to consider under description and comments putting in if an organization holds a conservation easement on the property? Ex. #27 on Map 2.5 GLC Staff Approved 10-Jul-26 6 GLC 17 Condition Table 2.6- #63 #63- On document provided cannot see #63 on chart, but want to ensure that "Sugar Creek Wetlands" shows partial ownership by GLC- Hansen Preserve GLC Staff Approved 10-Jul-26 7 GLC 17 Condition Table 2.6- #70 #70- On document provided cannot see #70 on chart, but want to ensure "Nordic Trail Oak Woods" shows partial ownership by GLC- Bromley Woods GLC Staff Approved 10-Jul-26 8 GLC 72 Condition Table 5.2- #27 GLC should be listed as Proposed Acquisition Agency since we already hold CE on the property GLC Staff Approved 10-Jul-26 23 of 59 | A PARK AND OPEN SPACE PLAN FOR WALWORTH COUNTY – CHAPTER 3 39 Credit: Walworth County 3.1 INTRODUCTION A comprehensive areawide inventory of park and open space sites was conducted in 1973 under the initial regional park and open space planning program. 10 The inventory is updated periodically and was updated in 2020 2026 as part of preparing this new County park and open space plan. The findings of the 2020 2026 inventory are presented in this chapter. The 2020 2026 inventory identified all park and open space sites owned by a public agency, including Federal, State, County, or local units of government and school districts. Also identified in the inventory were lands held in conservation easements by organizations such as the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) and the Geneva Lake Conservancy. Sites owned by nonprofit conservation organizations, such as The Nature Conservancy and the Kettle Moraine Land Trust, were also identified. The 2022 inventory also included privately owned resource -oriented outdoor recreation sites such as golf courses, campgrounds, ski hills, boating access sites, swimming beaches, hunting clubs, and group camps such as Scout or YMCA camps, and special use outdoor recreation sites. Sites owned by nonprofit conservation organizations, such as The Nature Conservancy and the Kettle Moraine Land Trust, were also identified. The inventory of private outdoor recreation sites focused on resource -oriented sites because the County park and open space plan is most directly concerned with providing sites and facilities for resource -oriented activities. The inventory also identified such other recreation resources as existing trails and bicycle ways and historic sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 3.2 EXISTING PARK AND OPEN SPACE SITES Park and Open Space Sites Owned by Walworth County Park and open space sites owned by Walworth County in 2020 are shown on Map 3.1 and listed on Table 3.1. In 2020, Walworth County owned four such sites, encompassing a total of 419 acres. EXISTING PARK AND OPEN SPACE SITES 3 24 of 59 | 40 SEWRPC COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PLANNING REPORT NO. 135 (45TH EDITION) – CHAPTER 3 10 The regional park and open space plan is documented in SEWRPC Planning Report No. 27, A Regional Park and Open Space Plan for Southeastern Wisconsin: 2000, November 1977. 25 of 59 | A PARK AND OPEN SPACE PLAN FOR WALWORTH COUNTY – CHAPTER 3 41 Map 3.1 Walworth County, State of Wisconsin, and Federal Park and Open Space Sites: 2020 26 of 59 | 42 SEWRPC COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PLANNING REPORT NO. 135 (45TH EDITION) – CHAPTER 3 Table 3.1 Park and Open Space Sites Owned by Walworth County: 20202026 Number on Map 3.1 Site Name Locationa Size (Acres) 1 Natureland Park T3N, R15E, Section 3 104 2 Veterans Park T3N, R16E, Section 36 7 3 Price Park Conservancy T3N, R17E, Section 15 113 4 White River County Park T2N, R18E, Section 16 195 Total: 4 Sites 419 a Indicates location given in U.S. Public Land Survey Township, Range, and Section. Source: Walworth County and SEWRPC There are three existing major County parks11 encompassing a total of 412 acres: Price Park Conservancy in the Town of Lafayette; Natureland Park in the Town of Richmond; and White River County Park in the Town of Lyons. Selected outdoor recreation facilities within the County park system in 2020 2026 are listed in Table 3.2. As indicated in that table, all four parks within the County system currently provide picnic areas, three parks provide trails, and one park provides canoe access . The Both Price Park Conservancy and White River Park provide dog parks; Price Park Conservancy also provides a dog park; Natureland Park and White River Park provides a pavilions that can be rented by the public for group picnics or special events; and White River County Park provides a barn that has been secured structurally and had some exterior work completed, but the interior still needs to be renovated. Once the interior work is completed, it is envisioned that the barn will be used by the Friends of White River Park and Geneva Lake Conservancy for educational exhibits and purposes and organized events and meetings and will also be available (for a rented fee) to the public for special events and gatherings. A pavilion that can be rented for special events and group picnics is also located at White River County Park. The WDNR also allows hunting and trapping by permit in White River County Park with hunting allowed throughout the park and trapping limited to an area in the southeastern portion of the park. Park and Open Space Sites Owned by the State of Wisconsin As indicated in Table 3.3 and shown on Map 3.1, in 20202 there were 45 State-owned park and open space sites in Walworth County, encompassing 15,603 acres, or about 4 percent of the total area of the County. Of these 45 sites, 37 sites, encompassing 14,748 acres, were owned by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; one site, encompassing seven acres, was owned by the University of Wisconsin; and seven sites, encompassing 848 acres, were owned by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) has acquired large areas of park and open space lands in Walworth County for a variety of resource protection and recreational purposes. Sites acquired for natural resource preservation and limited recreational purposes include, but are not limited to, the Honey Creek Wildlife Area, Turtle Creek Wildlife Area, Turtle Valley Wildlife Area, Whitewater Lake Recreation Area, Kettle Moraine State Forest -Southern Unit, Kettle Moraine State Forest -Mukwonago River Unit, Lulu Lake Natural Area, Bluff Creek Fishery Area, Beulah Lake Remnant, and numerous scattered wildlife sites. WDNR-owned sites associated with more intensive recreational activities include Big Foot Beach State Park on the eastern shore of Geneva Lake in the Towns of Linn and Bloomfield and the Whitewater Lake Recreation Area, which is part of the southern unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest in the Town of Whitewater. Both sites provide swimming, picnicking, camping, and trail facilities. Map 3.1 also reflects project boundaries that have been approved by the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board for certain WDNR sites within the County. Lands within the approved project boundaries have been identified by the Board as appropriate additions to e xisting sites and are intended to be acquired by the Department of Natural Resources, on a “willing seller -willing buyer” basis, for recreational or open space purposes as funding permits. 11 Major parks are defined as large, publicly owned outdoor recreation sites containing significant natural resource amenities that provide opportunities for resource-oriented activities and are generally 100 acres or more in size. 27 of 59 | A PARK AND OPEN SPACE PLAN FOR WALWORTH COUNTY – CHAPTER 3 43 Table 3.2 Selected Outdoor Recreation Facilities Within Walworth County Parks: 20202026 Number on Map 3.1 Site Name Acres Playfield Golf Course Picnic Area Swimming Beach Trails Boat/ Canoe Access Campsites 1 Natureland Park 104 -- -- X -- X -- -- 2 Veterans Park 7 -- -- X -- -- -- -- 3 Price Park Conservancy 113 -- -- X -- X -- -- 4 White River County Park 195 -- -- X -- X X -- Total: 4 Sites 419 -- -- 4 -- 3 1 -- Source: Walworth County and SEWRPC University of Wisconsin In 20202022, there was one recreation site affiliated with the University of Wisconsin in Walworth County. That site was a seven-acre portion of the UW-Lawcon Fields. The majority of the site—108 acres—is located in Jefferson County. Wisconsin Department of Transportation The Wisconsin Department of Transportation, in 20202022, owned seven sites within Walworth County. This includes two highway waysides, three wetland mitigation sites, and two streambank protection sites. Combined, these seven sites encompass 848 acres. Federally-Owned Park and Open Space Sites Map 3.1 and Table 3.3 also identify one open space site in Walworth County owned by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, encompassing 86 acres, or less than 1 percent of the total area of the County. The open space site was purchased for the purpose of preserving and conserving environmentally sensitive lands that would be valuable for wildlife and is part of the Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge which is located in both southeast Wisconsin and northeast Illinois. The site is located northwest of the Village of Genoa City. Park and Open Space Sites Owned by Local Governments, School Districts, or Other Public Entities In addition to the County- and State-owned park and open space sites in Walworth County, in 20202022, there were 202 sites owned by local units of government or school districts. Those sites, listed on Table A.1 and shown on Map A.1 in Appendix A, encompass 2,831 acres, or about 1 percent of the total area of the County. Local governments own 162 park and open space sites, public school districts own 38 sites, and other public entities own two sites. The acreage attributed to school district sites includes only those portions of the site used for recreational or open space purposes. Private and Public-Interest Resource-Oriented Park and Open Space Sites Private Outdoor Recreation and Open Space Sites The 2020 2022 inventory of park and open space sites also identified a total of 173 privately owned resource-oriented recreation sites. Those 173 sites are listed on Table A.2 and shown on Map A.2 in Appendix A. Together they encompassed 10,898 acres, or about 3 percent of the total area of the County. Examples of privately owned recreation sites include hunting clubs, stables, golf courses, boat access sites, campgrounds, subdivision parks, and recreation areas associated with private schools. Private Resource Protection Sites In addition, the 2020 2022 inventory of park and open space sites identified a total of 19 sites owned by private organizations for natural resource protection purposes in Walworth County. Those sites are listed on Table 3.4 and shown on Map 3.2. The 19 open space area sites owned for resource preservation purposes encompass 1,964 acres. Those sites include seven sites owned by The Nature Conservancy, six sites owned by the Geneva Lake Conservancy, and four sites owned by the Kettle Moraine Land Trust. Commented [RH11]: Confirm totals by reviewing subsequent tables Commented [RH12]: Confirm totals by reviewing subsequent tables 28 of 59 | 44 SEWRPC COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PLANNING REPORT NO. 135 (45TH EDITION) – CHAPTER 3 Table 3.3 State of Wisconsin and Federal Park and Open Space Sites in Walworth County: 2020 Number on Map 3.1 Site Name Locationa Size (Acres) Department of Natural Resources Sites (WDNR) 5 Scattered Wildlife Area T1N, R15E, Section 4 71 6 Scattered Wildlife Area T1N, R15E, Sections 2, 11 97 7 Big Foot Beach State Park T1N, R17E, Sections 1, 12 265 T1N, R18E, Section 6 8 Scattered Wildlife Area T1N, R18E, Section 8 109 9 Extensive Wildlife Habitat Area T1N, R18E, Sections 4, 8, 9 637 10 Scattered Wildlife Area T1N, R18E, Sections 3, 10 386 11 Scattered Wildlife Area T1N, R18E, Sections 19, 30 132 12 Turtle Creek Wildlife Area T2N, R15E, Sections 2, 3, 10-13, 15-18, 20, 21 723b1143b 13 Delavan Lake Remnant T2N, R16E, Section 14 10 14 Statewide Habitat Area T2N, R17E, Sections 26, 27 178 15 Extensive Wildlife Habitat Area T2N, R18E, Sections 17, 20 135 16 Scattered Wildlife Area T2N, R18E, Section 34 44 17 Statewide Habitat Area T2N, R18E, Section 35 77 18 Turtle Valley Wildlife Area T3N, R15E, Sections 13, 14, 23, 24, 26 1,864 T3N, R16E, Sections 15-22 19 Extensive Wildlife Habitat Area T3N, R17E, Section 6 7 20 Scattered Wildlife Area T3N, R17E, Section 7 94 21 Scattered Wildlife Area T3N, R17E, Section 8 62 22 Honey Creek Wildlife Area T3N, R18E, Section 24 40b 23 Hoganson Preserve T3N, R18E, Sections 13, 24 216 24 Bluff Creek Fishery Area T4N, R15E, Section 14 39 25 Whitewater Lake Recreation Area T4N, R15E, Sections 26, 35 135 26 Scattered Wildlife Area T4N, R15E, Sections 20, 21, 28, 29 322 27 Scattered Wildlife Area T4N, R15E, Sections 19, 30 292 28 State Scientific Area T4N, R16E, Sections 4, 5 241 29 Scattered Wildlife Area T4N, R16E, Section 8 42 30 Kettle Moraine State Forest—Southern Unit T4N, R15E, Sections 13, 14, 15, 22-27 6,171b T4N, R16E, Sections 2, 3, 4, 7-11, 14-21 31 Lulu Lake State Natural Area T4N, R17E, Sections 1, 2, 3, 11, 12 987 32 Extensive Wildlife Habitat Area T4N, R17E, Sections 29-32 430 33 Kettle Moraine State Forest—Southern Unit – T4N, R17E, Section 1 417b Rainbow Springs T4N, R18E, Section 6 34 State Scientific Area T4N, R18E, Sections 7, 8 78 35 Beulah Lake Remnant T4N, R18E, Section 10 21 36 Stream Bank Protection T4N, R18E, Section 13 8 37 Potter’s Lake Access T4N, R18E, Sections 11, 14 1 38 East Troy Boat Trailer Parking T4N, R18E, Section 18 17 39 Extensive Wildlife Habitat Area T4N, R18E, Sections 13, 14, 24 356 40 Scattered Wildlife Area T4N, R18E, Section 29 22 41 Stream Bank Protection T4N, R18E, Section 29 22 Subtotal: 37 Sites 14,748 University of Wisconsin Site 42 UW Lawcon Fields T4N, R15E, Section 5 7c Subtotal: 1 Site 7 Department of Transportation Sites (WisDOT) 43 WisDOT Land (wetland mitigation site) T3N, R15E, Sections 22, 23, 26, 35 419 44 WisDOT Land (streambank protection) T3N, R17E, Section 11 17 Table continued on next page. 29 of 59 | A PARK AND OPEN SPACE PLAN FOR WALWORTH COUNTY – CHAPTER 3 45 Table 3.3 (Continued) Number on Map 3.1 Site Name Locationa Size (Acres) Department of Transportation Sites (continued) 45 Wayside T3N, R17E, Section 11 9 46 Wayside T3N, R17E, Sections 14, 15 18 47 WisDOT Land (wetland mitigation site) T4N, R15E, Sections 10, 15 110 48 WisDOT Land (wetland mitigation site) T4N, R18E, Sections 13, 14 269 49 WisDOT Land (streambank protection) T4N, R18E, Section 29 6 Subtotal: 7 Sites 848 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Site (USFWS) 50 USFWS Land T1N, R18E, Section 13 86 Subtotal: 1 Site 86 Total: 46 Sites 15,689 a Indicates location given in U.S. Public Land Survey Township, Range, and Section. b Includes only lands located in Walworth County. c Walworth County portion only; total site area is 122 acres. Source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and SEWRPC Table 3.4 Privately Owned Resource Protection Sites in Walworth County: 20202026 Number on Map 3.2 Site Name Owner Locationa Size (acres) 1 Helen Rohner Children’s Fishing Park Geneva Lake Conservancy T1N, R17E, Section 6 4 2 Maple Hills Property Geneva Lake Conservancy T1N, R17E, Section 18 1 3 Turtle Creek Preserve Kettle Moraine Land Trust T2N, R15E, Section 3 13 4 Stevens Property Geneva Lake Conservancy T2N, R16E, Sections 29, 32 4 5 Jackson Creek Preserve Kettle Moraine Land Trust T2N, R17E, Section 7 24 6 Hermansen Woods Geneva Lake Conservancy T2N, R17E, Section 32 16 7 Wings Over Wisconsin Land Wings Over Wisconsin T2N, R18E, Section 1 140 T3N, R18E, Sections 35, 36 8 Kenosha/Racine Land Trust – Seno Kenosha/Racine Land Trust T2N, R18E, Sections 24, 25, 26, 35 189b Woodland Education Center 9 Hansen Preserve Geneva Lake Conservancy T3N, R17E, Section 17 75 10 Bromley Woods Geneva Lake Conservancy T4N, R16E, Section 17 40 11 Petersen Island Woods Preserve Kettle Moraine Land Trust T4N, R16E, Sections 26, 34 34 12 Nature Conservancy Property The Nature Conservancy T4N, R17E, Sections 2, 11 544 13 Crooked Creek Preserve The Nature Conservancy T4N, R17E, Sections 3, 10 273 14 Baker/Chapman Hills Camp Properties The Nature Conservancy T4N, R17E, Sections 4, 9 173 15 Meyer Property The Nature Conservancy T4N, R17E, Sections 5, 6 130 16 Nature Conservancy Preserve The Nature Conservancy T4N, R17E, Section 9 117 17 Nature Conservancy Property The Nature Conservancy T4N, R17E, Sections 12, 13, 14 69 18 Pickerel Lake Fen The Nature Conservancy T4N, R17E, Sections 13, 14, 24 110 19 Beulah Bluff Preserve Kettle Moraine Land Trust T4N, R18E, Section 8 8 Total: 19 Sites 1,964 a Indicates location given in U.S. Public Land Survey Township, Range, and Section. b Includes only lands located in Walworth County. Extends into Kenosha County. Source: SEWRPC 30 of 59 | 46 SEWRPC COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PLANNING REPORT NO. 135 (45TH EDITION) – CHAPTER 3 Map 3.2 Privately Owned Resource Protection Sites in Walworth County: 2020 31 of 59 | A PARK AND OPEN SPACE PLAN FOR WALWORTH COUNTY – CHAPTER 3 47 Conservation Easements There are 35 privately owned open space and environmentally sensitive sites in Walworth County that are protected under conservation easements . In general, conservation easements are voluntary contracts between a private landowner and a land trust or government body that limit, or in some cases prohibit, future development of the parcel. The property owner sells or donates a conservation easement for the property to a land trust or government agency, but retains ownership. The owner is not prohibited from selling the property, but future owners must abide by the terms of the conservation easement. Conservation easements typically do not include any provision for public access. The 35 easements in Walworth County, listed on Table 3.5 and shown on Map 3.3, encompassed 1,935 acres in 2020. All of the conservation easements identified on the table and map provide for the permanent protection of resources on private land. 3.3 LAKE AND RIVER ACCESS SITES Lakes and rivers constitute a particularly valuable part of the natural resource base of the County. Lakes and rivers enhance the aesthetic quality of the County and are focal points for water -related recreational activities, including such active uses as swimming, boating, and fishing, and passive uses such as walking, or viewing along the water’s edge. Boat access sites, both public and non-public, provide opportunities for persons who do not own land on a body of water to participate in water-related recreational activities. The regional park and open space plan recommends that rivers and major lakes, defined as lakes with a surface area of 50 acres or more, be provided with adequate public access, including carry -in-boating and motor- boat access, consistent with safe and enjoyable participation in water-related activities. There are 27 major lakes located entirely or partially within Walworth County: Army Lake, Benedict Lake, Beulah Lake, Booth Lake, Lake Como, Comus Lake, Cravath Lake, Delavan Lake, Geneva Lake, Green Lake, Lake LaGrange, Lake Loraine, Lulu Lake, Middle Lake, Mill Lake, North Lake, Pell Lake, Peters Lake, Pleasant Lake, Potter Lake, Powers Lake, Rice Lake, Silver Lake, Tripp Lake, Turtle Lake, Lake Wandawega, and Whitewater Lake. As shown on Map 2.3 in Chapter 2, there are approximately 173 miles of major streams in Walworth County. Publicly owned access sites for motor-boating purposes in Walworth County are provided to all the major lakes except for Army Lake, Benedict Lake, Booth Lake, Lake LaGrange, Lulu Lake, and Peters Lake. In addition, there are numerous other sites that provide access to lakes and rivers for other recreational activities and passive uses. 3.4 TRAILS AND BICYCLE WAYS Existing bikeways and recreational trails in Walworth County are shown on Map 3.4. Those facilities accommodate a variety of users. On -street bikeways—consisting of striped and signed bicycle lanes and signed bicycle routes on existing streets —are intended to accommodate bicycling. Off -street bicycle - pedestrian trails can be used for bicycling and for pedestrian activities, such as hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. Off-street pedestrian-only trails can be used only for pedestrian activity. As shown on Map 3.4, there were 27 miles of existing off -street bicycle-pedestrian trails in the County in 2020, the longest of these being the White River State Trail. There were 35 miles of pedestrian -only trails, consisting of the Ice Age Trail, the Geneva Lake Shore Path, and the Duck Lake Nature Trail. In addition, there were are over 25 miles of on-street bikeways intended for bicycle use. 3.5 HISTORIC SITES Historic sites in Walworth County often have important recreational, educational, and cultural value. A number of inventories and surveys of potentially significant historic sites have been conducted by various units and agencies of government in Walworth County since the completion of the regional park and open space plan in 1977. The results of these inventories and surveys, on file at such agencies as The Wisconsin Historical Society, indicate that there are more than 3,900 historic sites in Walworth County. Commented [RH13]: Confirm totals by reviewing subsequent tables Commented [RH14]: Same 32 of 59 | 48 SEWRPC COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PLANNING REPORT NO. 135 (45TH EDITION) – CHAPTER 3 Table 3.5 Lands Under Conservation Easements in Walworth County: 2020 Number on Map 3.3 Holder of Easement Locationa Size (acres) 1 Geneva Lake Conservancy (Cobalt Farms) T1N, R16E, Section 10 35 2 Geneva Lake Conservancy (Love) T1N, R16E, Section 13 4 3 Geneva Lake Conservancy (Stenning/Driehaus) T1N, R17E, Section 3 37 4 Land Trust Network (Ryan) T1N, R17E, Section 3; T2N, R17E, Section 34 76 5 Geneva Lake Conservancy (Brownstein) T1N, R17E, Section 3 3 6 Geneva Lake Conservancy (Colman Woods) T1N, R17E, Section 5 28 7 Geneva Lake Conservancy (Griffith-East) T1N, R17E, Section 5 1 8 Geneva Lake Conservancy (Griffith-West) T1N, R17E, Section 5 1 9 Geneva Lake Conservancy (Windwood LLC) T1N, R17E, Section 5 5 10 Geneva Lake Conservancy (Petersen) T1N, R17E, Section 8 3 11 Geneva Lake Conservancy (Black Point) T1N, R17E, Section 8 7 12 Geneva Lake Conservancy (Geraldson) T1N, R17E, Section 9 2 13 Geneva Lake Conservancy (Mcessy) T1N, R17E, Section 9 6 14 Geneva Lake Conservancy (Wooddale) T1N, R17E, Section 9 4 15 Geneva Lake Conservancy (Styberg) T1N, R17E, Section 11 22 16 Geneva Lake Conservancy (Woodstone Prairie) T1N, R17E, Section 16 50 17 Geneva Lake Conservancy (Tameling/Newton) T1N, R17E, Section 18 1 18 WDNR T1N, R18E, Section 19 1 19 WDNR T1N, R18E, Section 30 1 20 Geneva Lake Conservancy (Piening) T2N, R15E, Sections 3, 4 556 T3N, R15E, Sections 33, 34 21 Geneva Lake Conservancy (Delavan N. Shore) T2N, R16E, Sections 29, 32 7 22 Geneva Lake Conservancy (Burlington Hills) T2N, R18E, Section 12 22 23 Geneva Lake Conservancy (Moelter Farm) T2N, R18E, Sections 32, 33 235 24 Kettle Moraine Land Trust (Schwartz/Adelman) T3N, R16E, Section 5 2 25 WDNR T3N, R16E, Sections 19, 20 23 26 Geneva Lake Conservancy (Sugar Creek) T3N, R17E, Sections 14, 23 183 27 WDNR T4N, R16E, Sections 10, 11 33 28 WDNR T4N, R17E, Section 2 2 29 The Nature Conservancy (Fields – Agricultural Institute, Inc.) T4N, R17E, Sections 11, 14 205 30 The Nature Conservancy (Boeing) T4N, R17E, Sections 13, 24 154 31 The Nature Conservancy (Emerich) T4N, R17E, Section 24 22 32 Kettle Moraine Land Trust (Hartranft Agricultural) T4N, R17E, Section 24 92 33 Kettle Moraine Land Trust (Hartranft Natural Area) T4N, R17E, Section 24 32 34 Geneva Lake Conservancy (Yggdrasil) T4N, R17E, Section 36 79 35 WDNR (Krueger) T4N, R18E, Section 17 1 36 Kettle Moraine Land Trust (Lauderdale Lakes Country Club) T4N R16E, Section 36 58 37 Kettle Moraine Land Trust (Benes Property – Whitewater) T4N R15E Section 22 176 Total: 35 Sites 1,9352, 169 Note: All of the conservation easements listed above provide for the permanent protection of resources on private land. There are some instances where a conservation easement is located on lands that are already owned by a public agency or a private conser vation organization, and those easements are not listed on this table. a Indicates location given in U.S. Public Land Survey Township, Range, and Section. Source: Geneva Lake Conservancy, Kettle Moraine Land Trust, The Nature Conservancy, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Land Trust Network, and SEWRPC 33 of 59 | A PARK AND OPEN SPACE PLAN FOR WALWORTH COUNTY – CHAPTER 3 49 Map 3.3 Lands Under Conservation Easements in Walworth County: 2020 34 of 59 | 50 SEWRPC COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PLANNING REPORT NO. 135 (45TH EDITION) – CHAPTER 3 Map 3.4 Existing Bicycle Ways/Trails in Walworth County (Vision 2050): 2024 Note: This map does not reflect mountain-biking trails on WDNR property in the Kettle Moraine State Forest. 0 1 2 3 Miles Source: Walworth County and SEWRPC 35 of 59 | A PARK AND OPEN SPACE PLAN FOR WALWORTH COUNTY – CHAPTER 3 51 Certain sites of known historic significance are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 20202026, there were 41 44 individual sites and seven historic districts12 within the County listed on the National Register. The location of sites and districts in Walworth County listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2020 are presented on Table 3.6 and on Map 3.5, respectively. Since 2020, the following sites have registered with the National Register of Historic Places (NOTE: Map 3.5 is not updated). • Henry D. L. and Jennie Adkins House, 24 North Church Street, Elkhorn. Listed January 4, 2024. • StreetHeart Prairie Norwegian Methodist Episcopal Church, N7372 County Road P, Richmond. Listed March 24, 2023. • Oak Hill Cemetery, 1101 Cemetery Road, Lake Geneva. Listed April 26, 2021. 3.6 STATUS OF 2035 PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS The 2035 park and open space plan for Walworth County adopted in 2014 (and amended in 2015 to incorporate the White River County Park Master Plan ) contains a number of recommendations regarding the development and acquisition of park and open space lands. The inventory of park and open space sites and facilities described in this chapter include development and acquisition activities that have occurred since the adoption of the 2035 plan. Some of these activities represent progress made in implementing specific recommendations included in the 2035 plan. Examples of 2035 plan recommendations that have been implemented include: • Developing picnic facilities, restrooms, hiking/cross country skiing trails, pedestrian bridges, canoe/ kayak access, a shelter/pavilion, some barn restoration, and prairie/grassland restoration at White River County Park • Developing trail facilities and a dog park at Price Park Conservancy • Permanently protecting environmental corridor lands associated with Geneva Lake through conservation easements acquired by the Geneva Lake Conservancy • Acquiring and restoring significant lands by the WDNR within the Turtle Valley Wildlife Area • Acquiring environmentally significant lands by the WDNR and Geneva Lake Conservancy within the Kettle Moraine State Forest (KMSF) – Southern Unit Project Area and by the WDNR within the Lulu Lake Project Area • Acquiring environmentally significant lands by The Nature Conservancy within the Lulu Lake Project Area and the Pickerel Lake Fen State Natural Area 12 A historic district is a geographically definable area, urban or rural, that contains a concentration of significant historic sites or structures from the same period of time. 36 of 59 | 52 SEWRPC COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PLANNING REPORT NO. 135 (45TH EDITION) – CHAPTER 3 Table 3.6 Historic Sites and Districts Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Walworth County: 2026 # on Map 3.5 Site Name Locationa Civil Division Year Listed 1 Joseph Philbrick Webster House James Jesse Strang House Edward Elderkin House Horace Loomis House Heart Prairie Lutheran Church Fred B. Jones Estate Mile Long Site Buena Vista House Israel Stowell Temperance House Younglands Meyerhofer Cobblestone House A. P. Johnson House T. C. Smith House Reynolds-Weed House Redwood Cottage (the Emily Baker Residence) East Wing Building (Old Main) UW-Whitewater Campus Halverson Log Cabin A. H. Allyn House Douglass-Stevenson House The Riviera Bonnie Brae Davidson Hall Main Street Historical District Metropolitan Block Maples Mound Group Smith & Meadows Store Building Grace & Pearl Historic District Black Point John and Margaret Bell House Delavan’s Vitrified Brick Street Horticultural Hall Walworth Main Street Historic District Maple Park Historic District Delavan Post Office Elkhorn Post Office Warner, Anson, Farmstead Whitewater Post Office Sheboygan Light, Power and Railway Company Car Whitewater Hotel Elkhorn Band Shell Elkhorn Municipal Building Whitewater Passenger Depot Darien Downtown Historic District Wandawega Inn Delavan Water Tower Park Historic District Delavan Downtown Commercial Historic District Carl and Clara Bucholtz Farmstead George W. Borg Corporation Oak Hill Cemetery Heart Prairie Norwegian Meth/Epispal Church Henry D. L. and Jennie Adkins House T02N, R16E, Section 1 City of Elkhorn 1972 2 T03N, R18E, Section 25 Town of Spring Prairie 1974 3 T03N, R16E, Section 36 City of Elkhorn 1974 4 T03N, R18E, Section 6 Town of Spring Prairie 1974 5 T04N, R15E, Section 34 Town of Whitewater 1974 6 T02N, R16E, Section 33 Town of Delavan 1974 7 T02N, R16E, Section 21 Town of Delavan 1977 8 T04N, R18E, Section 20 Village of East Troy 1978 9 T02N, R16E, Section 18 City of Delavan 1978 10 T01N, R17E, Section 1 City of Lake Geneva 1979 11 T02N, R18E, Section 32 Town of Lyons 1980 12 T02N, R16E, Section 33 Town of Delavan 1982 13 T02N, R17E, Section 36 City of Lake Geneva 1982 14 T03N, R16E, Section 36 City of Elkhorn 1983 15 T02N, R17E, Section 36 City of Lake Geneva 1984 16 T04N, R15E, Section 5 City of Whitewater 1984 17 T04N, R15E, Section 5 City of Whitewater 1985 18 T02N, R16E, Section 18 City of Delavan 1985 19 T01N, R16E, Section 15 Village of Fontana-On-Geneva Lake 1986 20 T02N, R17E, Section 36 City of Lake Geneva 1986 21 T01N, R17E, Section 3 Town of Linn 1986 22 T01N, R17E, Section 18 Town of Linn 1987 23 T04N, R15E, Section 5 City of Whitewater 1989 24 T02N, R17E, Section 36 City of Lake Geneva 1990 25 T04N, R15E, Section 6 City of Whitewater 1991 26 T04N, R18E, Section 20 Village of East Troy 1993 27 T01N, R15E, Section 33 Village of Sharon 1993 28 T01N, R17E, Section 8 Town of Linn 1994 29 T03N, R18E, Section 23 Town of Spring Prairie 1994 30 T02N, R16E, Section 18 City of Delavan 1996 31 T02N, R17E, Section 36 City of Lake Geneva 1999 32 T02N, R17E, Section 36 City of Lake Geneva 2001 33 T02N, R17E, Section 36 City of Lake Geneva 2005 34 T02N, R16E, Section 18 City of Delavan 2006 35 T03N, R16E, Section 36 City of Elkhorn 2006 36 T04N, R15E, Section 6 Town of Whitewater 2006 37 T04N, R15E, Section 4 City of Whitewater 2006 38 T04N, R18E, Section 19 Village of East Troy 2006 39 T04N, R15E, Section 4 City of Whitewater 2010 40 T02N, R16E, Section 1 City of Elkhorn 2012 41 T03N, R16E, Section 36 City of Elkhorn 2012 42 T04N, R15E, Section 4 City of Whitewater 2013 43 T02N, R15E, Section 27 Village of Darien 2013 44 T03N, R16E, Section 2 Town of Sugar Creek 2015 45 T02N, R16E, Section 18 City of Delavan 2016 46 T02N, R16E, Section 18 City of Delavan 2016 47 T04N, R18E, Section 36 Town of East Troy 2018 48 49 50 51 T02N, R16E, Section 17 City of Delavan Lake Geneva Richmond Elkhorn 2020 2021 2023 2024 a Indicates location given in U.S. Public Land Survey Township, Range, and Section. : 37 of 59 | A PARK AND OPEN SPACE PLAN FOR WALWORTH COUNTY – CHAPTER 3 53 Map 3.5 Historic Sites and Districts Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Walworth County: 2020 38 of 59 39 of 59 | A PARK AND OPEN SPACE PLAN FOR WALWORTH COUNTY – CHAPTER 4 53 Credit: Walworth County 4.1 INTRODUCTION Planning is a rational process for formulating objectives and meeting those objectives, which it accomplishes by preparing and implementing plans. Objectives guide the preparation of plans and, when converted to specific measures of plan effectiveness, termed standards, provide the structure for evaluating how well the plan meets the objectives. This chapter sets forth the objectives, principles, and standards used in preparing this park and open space plan for Walworth County, and applies the standards to the anticipated year 2050 population to help determine the need for major park sites and such outdoor recreation facilities as golf courses, campgrounds, swimming beaches, lake access sites, and hiking and biking trails. These needs are addressed by the recommended year 2050 park and open space plan for Walworth County, which is set forth in Chapter 5. 4.2 OBJECTIVES, PRINCIPLES, AND STANDARDS The objectives, principles, and standards for the Walworth County park and open space plan are based largely on those that were prepared and developed under the regional park and open space plan. The Commission’s Technical and Citizen Advisory Committee on Regional Park and Open Space Planning, as part of the regional park and open space planning program completed in 1977, formulated a set of objectives and accompanying principles and standards to preserve, acquire, and develop parks and open space. The regional standards were based on standards previous ly developed by the National Recreation and Park Association. The Regional Advisory Committee compared the national standards to recreational preferences and demands of the Region as determined by surveys of recreation site managers and users and modified the standards as necessary to meet park and open space demands within the Region. The year 2000, 2020, and 2035 Walworth County park and open space plans each incorporate the regional park and open space plan’s objectives, principles, and standards. The year 2050 Walworth County park and open space plan also incorporates and reaffirms those objectives, principles, and standards. The plan objectives are set forth below: OBJECTIVES, PRINCIPLES, AND STANDARDS AND PARK AND OPEN SPACE NEEDS ANALYSIS 4 40 of 59 | 54 SEWRPC COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PLANNING REPORT NO. 135 (45TH EDITION) – CHAPTER 4 1. To provide an integrated system of public general use outdoor recreation sites and related open space areas that allow the resident population of the County adequate opportunity to participate in a wide range of outdoor recreation activities. 2. To provide sufficient outdoor recreation facilities to allow the resident population of the County adequate opportunity to participate in intensive resource-oriented outdoor recreation activities.13 3. To provide sufficient outdoor recreation facilities to allow the resident population of the County adequate opportunity to participate in intensive nonresource-oriented outdoor recreation activities. 4. To provide sufficient outdoor recreation facilities to allow the resident population of the County adequate opportunity to participate in extensive land-based outdoor recreation activities. 5. To provide sufficient access areas to allow the resident population of the County adequate opportunities to participate in extensive water -based outdoor recreation activities on the major inland lakes and rivers that are consistent with enjoyable surface w ater use and the maintenance of adequate water quality. 6. To preserve sufficient high-quality open-space lands to protect the underlying and sustaining natural resource base and enhance the social and economic well -being, environmental quality, and biodiversity of the County. 7. To satisfy outdoor recreation and related open space needs efficiently and economically while meeting all other objectives at the lowest possible cost. Each of these objectives, together with its supporting principle and standards, is set forth in Appendix B. Each set of standards serves to facilitate identifying park and open space needs for plan design and evaluation. It should be noted that while attaining all of the objectives is considered desirable to provide the residents of the County with needed opportunities for high -quality recreational experiences, the responsibility for providing the necessary parks, open space lands, and associated recreational facilities is shared among the various levels, units, and agencies of government. Under both the adopted regional park and open space plan, dated 200020220, and the new County plan presented herein, the responsibility for providing large resource-oriented parks, resource-oriented recreational facilities, and areawide recreation trails is delegated primarily to the State and County levels of government, while the responsibility for the providing smaller community and neighborhood parks and associated intensive nonresource-oriented recreational facilities is delegated primarily to local units of government. Protecting important natural resource features, including environmental corridors and natural areas, is the responsibility of all levels of government and nonprofit conservation organizations. 4.3 PARK AND OPEN SPACE NEEDS Existing and Forecast Population Size and Distribution The need for outdoor recreation sites and facilities within the County is determined by applying the standards set forth in Appendix B for the size, number, and spatial distribution of public parks and outdoor recreation facilities to the existing and anticipated future resident population levels and distribution within the County, and comparing the probable demand for such sites and facilities to existing recreation sites and facilities. As noted in Chapter 2 of this report, the U.S. Bureau of the Census 2020 population for Walworth County was 106,478 people. The number of County residents anticipated by the year 2050 based upon forecasts 13 Resource-oriented activities include activities that rely upon natural resource amenities for the existence of the activity— such as beach swimming, nature study, and fishing—and those activities in which the quality of the recreational experience is significantly enhanced by the presence of natural resource amenities —such as picnicking, camping, and golf. Nonresource-oriented activities are not reliant on natural resource amenities nor is the quality of the recreational experience significantly enhanced by the presence of natural resource amenities; examples include baseball, soccer, tennis, and basketball. 41 of 59 | A PARK AND OPEN SPACE PLAN FOR WALWORTH COUNTY – CHAPTER 4 55 developed by the Regional Planning Commission for VISION 2050, the regional land use and transportation plan, would range from 126,800 people under the VISION 2050 low -growth forecast to as high as 158,300 under the high-growth forecast. However, the Wisconsin Department of Administration study in 2024 outlines a decrease to around 90,0000 residents by 2050 for Walworth County. population level anticipated under the intermediate-growth forecast is consistent with future population levels envisioned for the year 2050, 140,600 people, in the Multi -Jurisdictional Comprehensive Plan for Walworth County. Recognizing that existing and future demands on park sites and facilities in Walworth County are attributable in part to non- resident users, the this plan update sustains the use of the high -growth forecast when applying the per capita standards should be sufficient in meeting those demands. In addition to information on the overall size of the anticipated future population of the County, information on future population distribution is important to determining existing and probable future outdoor recreation needs. The park and outdoor recreation standards recommend that a major park be within four miles of residents of urban areas having a population of 40,000 or greater and within 10 miles of residents of smaller urban areas and rural areas. Since there are no urban areas with a population of 40,000 or greater located within Walworth County, only the 10-mile service radius standard applies. Per Capita and Accessibility Standards This park and open space plan utilizes two types of standards —per capita and accessibility —to help estimate the number and distribution of outdoor recreation sites and facilities needed to serve the anticipated future population of the County. The per capita standards help estimate the total number of acres of land needed to satisfy requirements for park and recreational land and related facility requirements based on the anticipated future resident population of the County. The plan considers the standards to be minimum standards that do not preclude opportunities for additional sites and facilities beyond those identified in this plan. This plan will use the U.S. Census Bureau 2020 County population of 106,478 residents for analyzing existing park site and existing park facility needs and the high -growth population forecast of 158,300 residents for analyzing future park and park facility needs. The use of the high-growth population forecast recognizes the need to identify and reserve sufficient high-quality sites that may be required if a rapid population or visitor growth occurs through the year 2050, as well as the need to serve the County population beyond the year 2050. To spatially distribute public parks in a manner that is convenient and efficient for the population they are to serve, the park and open space plan uses the accessibility or service radius standards. The plan recognizes that in some situations, while meeting per capita standards, a need may still exist for additional sites or facilities because of the relative inaccessibility or distance of an existing site or facility to some residents of the County. In some cases, the facilities located in adjacent counties may meet the accessibility standards for some residents of Walworth County. Standards for Major Park Sites Per capita and service area standards for major parks are set forth under Objective 1 in Appendix B. This park and open space plan defines major parks as large, publicly owned outdoor recreation sites containing significant natural resource amenities that provide opportunities for resource -oriented activities and are generally 100 acres or more in size. Applying the per capita standards for major park sites to the 2020 County population level (10 6,4787,415 people) indicates that there is a need for an additional 20 acres of park lands for major parks in Walworth County. When applying the per capita standard to the anticipated year 2050 County population,14 there is a need for an additional 440 acres of park land in major park sites. The calculations are based on the acreage of the following major parks in Walworth County: Big Foot Beach State Park and Whitewater Lake Recreation Area, both owned by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; and Price Park Conservancy, Nature land Park, and White River County Park, owned by Walworth County. Applying the 10 -mile service radius standard indicates that residents in the southwestern portion of the County are beyond the recommended service area for major parks in Walworth County. 14 In the balance of this chapter the determination of future per capita park site and facility needs is based upon the application of the per capita standards to the 158,300 people anticipated for the year 2050 under VISION 2050’s high 42 of 59 | 56 SEWRPC COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PLANNING REPORT NO. 135 (45TH EDITION) – CHAPTER 4 growth forecast. 43 of 59 | A PARK AND OPEN SPACE PLAN FOR WALWORTH COUNTY – CHAPTER 4 57 Standards for Intensive Resource-Oriented Recreation Facilities The standards in Objective 3 set forth per capita and service area standards for providing resource-oriented recreational facilities such as camping, golfing, picnicking, skiing, and beach swimming. Both public and nonpublic facilities have separate per capita standards. The per capita standards apply to both the 2020 2025 and the anticipated year 2050 County population levels, and need estimates were generally prepared for both public and nonpublic facilities. This recognizes that, even though many nonpublic facilities are not available to the general population, continuing to provide such facilities is important because they do meet a significant portion of the overall demand for these recreation facilities that the public sector would otherwise have to meet. Service area standards for campsites, golf courses, picnic areas, skiing, and swimming beaches only apply to public facilities; however, facilities at private sites (especially facilities allowing public use/availability) were also recognized if there were a significant number of such facilities within the County. This recognizes that all residents should have good access to such facilities, which by virtue of their public ownership, are available for use by all. Since downhill skiing is more similar to a regional facility and is typically a privately- owned site open to the public for use, a needs analysis was not undertaken. Privately owned skiing sites in the County are located at Alpine Valley Resort in the Towns of Lafayette and Spring Prairie and at Grand Geneva Resort in the Town of Lyons. Campsites Big Foot Beach State Park and Whitewater Lake Recreation Area currently provide public campsites. Campsites are also available to the public (for a fee) at the privately-owned Scenic Ridge Campground, Snug Harbor Campground, Elkhorn Campground, and Timber-Lee Campground. Both existing public and private campgrounds meet the per capita standards for campsites for the 2020 2025 and anticipated year 2050 County populations. The service area standards call for public campsites to be located within 25 miles of each County resident. The existing public campgrounds in the County currently meet this standard for both the existing and future County populations. Golf Courses Within the County there are currently two publicly owned regulation golf courses: Delbrook Golf Course (27 holes), owned by the City of Delavan, and Lauderdale Lakes Country Club (nine holes), owned by the Lauderdale Lakes Lake Management District. There are nine privately owned courses with 18-holes or more open to the public: Abbey Springs Country Club (18 holes); Alpine Valley Resort (27 holes); Evergreen Country Club (27 holes); Geneva National Resort Golf Course (54 holes); Grand Geneva Spa and Resort – Brute and Highlands Golf Courses (36 holes); Hawk’s View Golf Course (36 holes); Lake Beulah Country Club (27 holes); Majestic Oaks Golf Course at Lake Lawn Resort (18 holes); and Nippersink Manor Golf Course (18 holes). In addition, there are two privately owned nine-hole golf courses open to the public: Country Club Estates Golf Club and Willow Brook Golf Course (formerly Whitewater Country Club). There are also three privately owned courses with 18-holes not open to the public: Big Foot Country Club, Lake Geneva Country Club, and Lakewood Golf Club. Applying the per capita standard for golf courses indicates that there needs to be a total of two public 18- hole golf courses in Walworth County to serve both the existing and future County population. As noted above, two existing publicly owned golf courses (the 27 -hole Delbrook Golf Course and nine -hole Lauderdale Lakes Country Club) provide a total of 36 r egulation holes, equivalent to two 18 -hole courses. Consequently, existing publicly owned golf courses in the County meet the per capita standard. Except for the eastern portion of Walworth County, most of the County lies within 10 miles of the two aforementioned public golf courses. The northeastern part of the County does lie within 10 miles of Browns Lake Golf Course, a publicly owned 18-hole course in western Racine County, however, the southeastern portion of the County lies more than 10 miles from a public golf course. Applying the service area standard indicates that there may be a need for a public golf course to serve residents of the southeastern area of the County. However, there are four privately owned courses open to the public (Grand Geneva Spa and Resort-Brute and Highlands Golf Courses, Hawk’s View Golf Course, and Nippersink Manor Golf Course) located in the southeastern portion of the County that would satisfy the need for a public golf course in that area of the County. 44 of 59 | 58 SEWRPC COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PLANNING REPORT NO. 135 (45TH EDITION) – CHAPTER 4 The existing private golf courses located in the County currently meet the need for the 2020 2025 and anticipated year 2050 County population levels. Picnicking The following five major parks currently provide public picnic areas in the County: Big Foot Beach State Park; Natureland Park; Price Park Conservancy; White River County Park; and Whitewater Lake Recreation Area. The recommended standards call for 3.8 picnic tables per 1,000 County residents at major parks.15 Applying this standard indicates that the 2020 2025 population is adequately met for picnic tables at major parks, but there may be a need for approximately 210 additional picnic tables at major parks to serve the anticipated year 2050 population. Applying the recommended 10-mile service radius to picnic facilities at major parks in the County indicates that residents in the southwestern portion of the County are beyond the recommended service area for picnicking at major parks. An inventory of the number of picnic facilities at nonpublic sites (with a standard of 2.39 tables per 1,000 persons) is not available. This county park plan assumes nonpublic sites are providing adequate picnic facilities to meet this standard. In addition, since picnicking, particularly group picnicking, is available at the three major County parks, providing adequate parking at each County park was a concern to the County Park Committee. The recommended design standard for parking for picnic fa cilities (as set forth in Objective 3, Principle 3.1, Standard 3.1 in Appendix B) calls for 0.02 acre per table (1.5 spaces per table). Applying the parking design standard to the number of picnic tables at each major County park indicates that Natureland Park should provide, at a minimum, 24 parking spaces and Price Park Conservancy and White River County Park should provide, at a minimum, 18 parking spaces each. Applying the parking standard at the three major County parks indicates that Natureland Park needs additional parking spaces to support the existing and anticipated year 2050 population and Price Park Conservancy meets the need for parking spaces for the existing and anticipated population. Applying the parking standard at White River County Park indicates that the park meets the need for the facilities currently developed at the park for the existing population, however, since the park is planned for the development of additional picnic facilities and the existing barn is continuing to be renovated which will allow for rentable opportunities by the public or organizations for group picnics, special events, and organized activities and meetings, additional parking spaces will bewere necessary for the existing population at the completion of those planned developments and the anticipated population. Swimming Beaches A number of public parks located on inland lakes in Walworth County currently provide publicly owned inland beaches. Table 4.1 lists the publicly owned parks with swimming beaches and the associated lake. As shown in Table 4.1, there are 13 public swimming beaches on inland lakes in the County. In addition, there are 44 privately -owned beaches in the County located at private subdivision parks, resorts, camps, and campgrounds; however, these sites typically limit access to the general public. Applying the per capita standards for inland swimming beaches indicates that existing publicly and privately- owned beaches are adequate to serve the 2020 2025 and the anticipated year 2050 population. The existing public swimming beaches located within the County also adequately meet the service area standard (i.e. 10-mile service radius) for public inland beaches. Standards for Trail Facilities Objective 1 sets forth a standard for providing sufficient open space lands to accommodate a system of resource-oriented recreation corridors to meet the resident demand for trail -oriented recreation activities. For the purposes of this report, recreation corridors are defined as publicly owned, continuous, linear expanses of land at least 15 miles in length that are located within scenic areas or areas of natural, cultural, or historic interest, and provide trails marked and maintained for such activities as hiking, biking, horseback riding, nature trails, and cross-country skiing. 15 This standard intends to ensure adequate opportunities for picnicking in a natural resource setting typically found at major parks. Opportunities for picnicking outside major parks are available at local parks in the County (approximately 470 picnic tables). 45 of 59 | A PARK AND OPEN SPACE PLAN FOR WALWORTH COUNTY – CHAPTER 4 59 While segments of potential recreation corridors currently exist in Walworth County in the Kettle Moraine State Forest, along Turtle Creek, and the White River State Trail, none of the areas meet the aforementioned definition nor the per capita standard for recreation corridors (0.16 linear mile per 1,000 people). Consequently, the County should acquire and develop a public recreation corridor system for trails for various activities. While recreation corridors 15 miles in length or more are most desirable, developing trail facilities less than 15 miles in length also meets local trail needs. Objective 4 includes standards for public trails within recreation corridors for hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, nature study, pleasure driving, and ski touring. In some cases, paving such trail facilities may be appropriate, particularly in urban areas where they are subject to more intensive use. Paving trails may also provide opportunities for rollerblading and rollerskiing, as well as opportunities for use by individuals in wheelchairs. The Table 4.1 Publicly Owned Parks with Swimming Beaches on Inland Lakes in Walworth County: 20202025 Lake Public Park Booth Lake Booth Lake Memorial Park Comus Lake Veteran’s Memorial Park Delavan Lake Town of Delavan Community Park Geneva Lake Big Foot Beach State Park Fontana Beach Hillside Drive Boat Access Library Park Williams Bay Beach Pell Lake Subdivision Park Subdivision Park Trippe Lake Trippe Park Wandawega Lake Town of Sugar Creek Boat Launch Whitewater Lake Whitewater Lake Recreation Area Source: SEWRPC WDNR Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit provides many of these facilities to the public. Various types of these facilities are also located at State, County, and local sites within the County, such as at Big Foot Beach State Park, White River County Park, Natureland Park, Price Park Conservancy, Duck Pond Recreation Area, Kishwauketoe Nature Conservancy and other nature-based sites. Pleasure driving routes are available on many existing public roads; therefore, a needs analysis was unnecessary. In addition, there are six seven “Rustic Roads” (lightly traveled roads that provide views of significant natural or man-made features) located in the County, consisting of about 28 30.4 miles of roads. The standards under Objective 4 also include a recommendation for providing trails for snowmobiling. Within Walworth County, approximately 350 miles of designated trails exist on public lands and on private lands open to the public. This adequately serves both the 2020 2025 and anticipated year 2050 population. In addition, Objective 4 includes a standard that each county should have a public nature study center. Currently, a public nature study center does not exist in the county. With the exception of a nature study center, all of the Objective 4 facilities meet the per capita standards for the existing and future population of the County. Standards for Lake Access Sites The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), in keeping with State Statutes that seek to assure that all Wisconsin residents have access to publicly owned inland waters, has adopted administrative rules regarding lake access. Those rules, set forth in Chapter NR 1.91 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code, require that inland lakes provide public boating access sites, including boat launching and parking facilities, as a condition for the Department to provide natural resource enhancement services for a body of water.16 The Administrative Code requires that boating access sites on lakes 50 acres to 99 acres in size provide launch facilities and at least one car-trailer parking space, and a combined total of five car -trailer and automobile parking spaces. The required number of car -trailer parking spaces increases with the size of the lake. In addition to the minimum specified in the Administrative Code, boating access sites must also provide one additional parking space for use by people with disabilities. The regulations also specify that boating access sites provide a maximum number of parking spaces that varies according to the size of the lake, in recognition that too many boats on a lake may threaten both the safety of lake users and the environmental quality of the lake. Table 4.2 sets forth the requirements for public boating access for major lakes in Walworth County under the Department rules. Public boating access does not meet State requirements for natural resource enhancemen t services at Benedict Lake, Lake LaGrange, Lake Lorraine, Middle Lake, North Lake, Peters Lake, Silver Lake, Turtle Lake, and Lake Wandawega. Commented [VN15]: Timber Lee (privately owned and operated) in East Troy has a dedicated Science Education & Nature Center. 46 of 59 | 60 SEWRPC COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PLANNING REPORT NO. 135 (45TH EDITION) – CHAPTER 4 16 The Principle and Standards associated with Objective 5 of both the regional park and open space plan and the Walworth County park and open space plan incorporate the requirements established by Chapter NR 1.91. 47 of 59 | A PARK AND OPEN SPACE PLAN FOR WALWORTH COUNTY – CHAPTER 4 61 Table 4.2 Boat-Access Site Requirements Under the Wisconsin Administrative Codea for Major Lakes in Walworth County: 20202026 Major Lakeb Minimum Number of Parking Spaces Maximum Number of Parking Spaces Comment Army Lake Benedict Lakec Beulah Lake Booth Lake Lake Como Comus Lake Cravath Lake Delavan Lake Geneva Lake Green Lake Lake LaGrange Lake Lorraine Lulu Lake Middle Lake Mill Lake North Lake Pell Lake Peters Lake Pleasant Lake Potter Lake Powers Lakec Rice Lake Silver Lake Trippe Lake Turtle Lake Lake Wandawega Whitewater Lake Combination of 5 car and car- trailer spaces Combination of 5 car and car-trailer spaces 24 30 car-trailer spaces 5 car-trailer spaces 27 car-trailer spaces 5 car-trailer spaces Combination of 5 car and car- trailer spaces 41 car-trailer spaces 100 car-trailer spaces 10 car-trailer spaces Combination of 5 car and car-trailer spaces 5 car-trailer spaces Combination of 5 car and car- trailer spaces 9 car-trailer spaces 9 car-trailer spaces 6 car-trailer spaces Combination of 5 car and car- trailer spaces Combination of 5 car and car-trailer spaces 5 car-trailer spaces 5 car-trailer spaces 15 car-trailer spaces 5 car-trailer spaces Combination of 5 car and car-trailer spaces 5 car-trailer spaces 5 car-trailer spaces 5 car-trailer spaces 18 car-trailer spaces 5 car-trailer spaces 5 car-trailer spaces 33 30 car-trailer spaces 8 car-trailer spacesd 38 car-trailer spaces 8 car-trailer spacesd 5 car-trailer spaces 69 car-trailer spaces 167 car-trailer spaces 21 car-trailer spaces 5 car-trailer spaces 9 car-trailer spaces 5 car-trailer spaces 17 car-trailer spaces 18 car-trailer spaces 13 car-trailer spaces 5 car-trailer spacesd 5 car-trailer spaces 10 car-trailer spaces 11 car-trailer spaces 31 car-trailer spacesd 9 car-trailer spacesd 5 car-trailer spaces 8 car-trailer spaces 9 car-trailer spaces 8 car-trailer spaces 33 car-trailer spaces Adequate public access (5 car-trailer spaces provided at WDNR access site) No access provided to meet NR 1.91 requirements Adequate public access (30 30 car-trailer spaces at Town of East Troy access site, 2 Handicap) Adequate public access (12 car-trailer spaces at Town/Village access site) Adequate public access (27 car-trailer spaces at two Town access sites) Adequate public access (combination of 16 car and car - trailer spaces at City of Delavan access site) Adequate public access (5 car -trailer spaces at City of Whitewater access site) Adequate public access (49 car -trailer spaces at Town of Delavan access site) Adequate public access (100 car-trailer spaces at multiple sites) Adequate public access (10 car-trailer spaces at Town of LaGrange access site) No access provided to meet NR 1.91 requirements Inadequate public access (3 car -trailer spaces at Town of Richmond access site) Access requirements not applicablee Inadequate public access (5 car-trailer spaces at Town of LaGrange access site) Adequate public access (9 car-trailer spaces at Town of LaGrange access site) Inadequate public access (3 car-trailer spaces at Town of Sugar Creek access site) Adequate public access (6 car-trailer spaces at Town Village of Bloomfield access sites) No access provided to meet NR 1.91 requirements Adequate public access (7 car-trailer spaces at Town of LaGrange access site) Adequate public access (8 car-trailer spaces at Town of East Troy access site) Adequate public access (16 car-trailer spaces at WDNR access site and 16 car-trailer spaces at Town of Randall access site) Adequate public access (12 car-trailer spaces provided at WDNR access site) No access provided to meet NR 1.91 requirements Adequate public access (7 car-trailer spaces provided at City of Whitewater access site) No access provided to meet NR 1.91 requirements No access provided to meet NR 1.91 requirements Adequate public access (21 car-trailer spaces at WDNR access site) a Public boating access standards are set forth in Section NR 1.91 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code. b Major lakes are those having 50 or more acres of surface area. c Benedict Lake and Powers Lake are partially within Walworth and Kenosha Counties. Boat-access site requirements apply to the total acreage of the lake. d The number of existing parking spaces exceeds the maximum number of parking spaces for the lake. e The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources typically waives access requirements for lakes associated with sensitive natural areas. Source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and SEWRPC 48 of 59 | 62 SEWRPC COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PLANNING REPORT NO. 135 (45TH EDITION) – CHAPTER 4 Standards in the Administrative Code indicate that major streams should provide public canoeing/kayaking access points with parking every 10 miles. Major streams in Walworth County are Honey Creek, Sugar Creek, Turtle Creek, and the White River. The White River at White River County Park, Turtle Creek at Veteran’s Memorial Park in the City of Delavan and Spooner Nature Park in the Town of Darien, and Honey Creek at STH 20 in the Town of East Troy currently provide public canoe/kayak access with parking. The existing public access points located along the White River, Turtle Creek, and Honey Creek meet the needs for these facilities in the County, however, there is a need for an access point in the County along Sugar Creek. The County is proposing to develop an access point along Sugar Creek at Price Park Conservancy, which would satisfy the need. Other Recreational Needs As noted earlier, this park and open space plan delegates the responsibility for providing intensive nonresource-oriented recreation facilities primarily to local units of government. The standards for these types of facilities are set forth under Objectiv e 2 and include baseball and softball fields, basketball and tennis courts, and soccer fields. However, this does not preclude the County park plan from providing these types of facilities as County parks make additional improvements in the future. In addition, the County park plan should also recognize other emerging recreation facility needs that have no standards yet, or have only been addressed on a limited basis, by the County park system. Among these are facilities for elderly fitnessdisc golf,a variety of mountain bikingtrail-use types, dog parks, andto include expanded horseback riding, mountain biking, etc ., and expanded cabinoutdoor pavilion amenitiesas described below. • Disc Golf: In disc golf, one throws a disc similar to a “frisbee” toward a target (on organized courses, typically a metal basket that has hanging chains to catch the disc) that serves as the hole. Hole lengths vary, but generally fall between 150 and 500 feet. Disc golf facility requirements are minimal and incorporating disc golf courses with little impact into a variety of landscapes is likely. Walworth County currently has nine disc golf courses: º A 6-hole course, Phoenix Disc Golf Course, at the Wisconsin School for the Deaf in the City of Delavan. º 9-hole courses at: East Troy Middle School in the Village of East Troy; the Duck Pond Recreation Area and the Abbey Resort in the Village of Fontana; Delavan -Darien High School in the City of Delavan; and the Conference Point Center in the Village of Williams Bay. º 18-hole courses at: White River Disc Golf Course in the City of Lake Geneva; the Grand Geneva Resort and Spa in the Town of Linn; and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in the City of Whitewater. º Walworth County established a new 18-hole course at Price Park in 2027. • Elderly Fitness: Elderly fitness is an increasingly important focus in recent years as communities recognize the value of supporting active, healthy aging. Fitness activities for older adults generally emphasize low -impact movement, balance training, and accessible exercise environments that accommodate varying mobility levels. Elderly fitness programming can sometimes overlap with other recreational uses, and certain facilities may require modifications to remain saf e and inclusive for seniors. Therefore, dedicated spaces—such as smooth walking loops, well-placed rest areas, and age- friendly outdoor fitness stations —can offer the best environment for older adult wellness. The development of the new County park plan should carefully consider the growing demand for senior- oriented fitness amenities. Existing public resources that support elderly fitness in Walworth County include paved walking paths, gentle nature trails, and community recreation programs that encourage safe physical activity for older adults. • CabinOutdoor Pavillion Amenities: Outdoor pavilion structures have become an increasingly important feature in local park systems, offering versatile, open -air spaces that support picnics, community gatherings, educational programs, and general recreational use. Pavilion facilities typically provide essential amenities—such as covered shelter, picnic tables, grills, nearby restrooms, and convenient access to trails —while maintaining a low -impact footprint within the natural environment. These structures accommodate a wide range of activities, but their placement and design must be thoughtfully considered to avoid conflicts with passive recreation areas and to Commented [VN16]: With the increase in the aging population, should this include any senior fitness or outdoor gym-type recreation needs? 49 of 59 | A PARK AND OPEN SPACE PLAN FOR WALWORTH COUNTY – CHAPTER 4 63 preserve scenic and ecological qualities. As part of the new County park plan, attention should be given to maintaining and potentially expanding pavilion offerings to support group activities, family use, and seasonal programming. Existing examples in Walworth County include the open-air pavilions at White River Park and other county-managed sites that blend functional gathering spaces with the surrounding natural landscape. • Mountain Biking: Mountain biking has emerged as a popular activity in recent years. Mountain biking is essentially a trail activity that requires challenging hilly topography. Mountain biking can conflict with other trail activities, adversely impact trail conditions, an d negatively impact sensitive natural resources. Consequently, loop trails separate from the main recreation corridor may be the best option for mountain biking trails. Developing the new County park plan should give due consideration to the growing popularity of mountain biking. Existing public trails open to mountain bikes in Walworth County include the John Muir and Emma Carl in Trails in the Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit. • Dog Parks: A dog park or dog exercise area is an area, typically fenced, where dogs can walk and exercise off-leash in a safe park environment. Dog parks also serve as a means for increasing public use of, and activity in, County parks. There are currently five pub lic off-leash dog parks in Walworth County: Price Park Conservancy (fenced) in the Town of Lafayette; East Troy Dog Park (fenced), adjacent to the East Troy Village Hall; White River Dog Park (fenced) and Four Seasons Nature Preserve (not fenced) in the City of Lake Geneva; and Whitewater Bark Park (fenced), which is part of the city-owned Moraine View Park in the City of Whitewater ; and the newest at White River Park (genced) in the Town of Lyons.. 50 of 59 | 64 SEWRPC COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PLANNING REPORT NO. 135 (45TH EDITION) – CHAPTER 4 • Horseback Riding: Because of a number of factors, including trail conditions and potential user conflicts, very few public trails are open to horseback riding in or near Walworth County. The only public trail open to horseback riding in Walworth County is in the Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit. Public trails open to horseback riding near Walworth County include trails in the Kettle Moraine State Forest- Southern Unit in Waukesha County and at the Bong State Recreation Area in Kenosha County. Wisconsin Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Since 1965, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has developed and maintained the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP). This plan examines various recreation trends, assesses current and future recreational needs within the State, and sets forth appropriate recommendations to meet those needs. The WDNR updates the SCORP every five years, the current version being the 20192025-2023 2030 SCORP. The County should used the SCORP as a reference source as it implements and updated the Walworth County park and open space plan. Standards for Open Space Preservation Objective 6 calls for preserving sufficient high -quality open space lands, protecting the underlying and sustaining natural resource base, and enhancing the social and economic well-being, environmental quality, and biodiversity of the County. Preserving these areas helps to protect water quality and protect floodways and floodplains from incompatible uses. These high-quality open space lands include primary environmental corridors, natural areas and critical species habitat sites, and prime agricultural lands. Preserving such lands is based upon the location and composition of existing natural resources, rather than applying development standards. Preserving and protecting these areas is also consistent with plan recommendations contained in the Walworth County Multi-Jurisdictional Comprehensive Plan. Primary environmental corridors contain many of the best remaining woodlands, wetlands, and wildlife habitat areas within the County. The standard under Objective 6 calls for preserving primary environmental corridors in essentially natural, open use. Although not specifically addressed in Objective 6, county and local government should consider preserving and protecting secondary environmental corridors and isolated natural resource areas. Such areas can serve as economical drainageways and stormwater detention basins, can help preserve areas of groundwater recharge, and can provide needed open space in developing urban areas. The Walworth County Multi -Jurisdictional Comprehensive Plan also recommends preserving secondary environmental corridors and isolated natural resource areas. Natural areas and critical species habitat sites contain rare, threatened, and endangered animal and plant species within the County. The standard under Objective 6 calls for preserving and managing natural areas and critical species habitat sites to maintain their natural value. Although not specifically addressed in Objective 6, State, county, and local governments should consider preserving and protecting significant geological areas, consistent with the recommendations of the regional natural areas plan. Prime agricultural lands are lands best suited for producing food and fiber. In addition to their agricultural value, such lands supply significant wildlife habitat and sometimes include areas with significant groundwater recharge potential (Map 2.4 in Chapter 2). The standard under Objective 6 calls for preserving prime agricultural lands for agricultural use. 51 of 59 M emorandum To: Public Works and Parks Committee Members Cc: Walworth County Administrator – Mark Luberda From: Public Works Director – Richard Hough Date: September 1, 2026 Re: ATV Discussion on Multimodal Use on White River County Trail The Department of Natural Resources has a five-step process for ATV trail development outlined in its ATV and UTV Trail Guidelines, Publication PR-391, Version 07.01.22, which are outlined below: Th e most important first step in planning a trail is to determine the trail’s purpose and objectives. Why do we want this trail? Who will use the trail? What needs will the trail meet? (Examples of needs a trail could be intended to meet: local economic development, regional recreational demand, transportation, connectivity.) How will it be managed, maintained, constructed, and funded? Funding considerations should include initial investments and long-term maintenance needs. This can be dictated by a number of factors, but available resources for construction, maintenance, and management should be key factors. A trail cannot provide every type of experience desired by diverse user groups. Take time to consider and determine what kind(s) of trail you are going to provide – what will the 52 of 59 Re: ATV Discussion on Multimodal Use on White River County Trail allowed uses be, what will the managed and designed uses be? Further, recognize that this will likely not result in the ideal experience for all allowed trail uses. There are many other viewpoints to consider when planning to incorporate ATVs on existing trails, on both the user side and in trail management and maintenance. Factors such as available resources, trail concept, and setting must be looked at holistically when determining the kind of experience to be offered and maintained on a trail. W hile DNR is ultimately responsible for any decision to incorporate ATVs on White River Trail, the Department of Public Works management and staff do not believe it is wise to pursue, given a history of insufficient maintenance due to a lack of resources (staff time, grant funding) to maintain and keep the trail safe for multiple types of users. 53 of 59 1 Memorandum To : Walworth County Parks Committee Cc: Walworth County Administrator – Mark Luberda From: Richard Hough, Director of Public Works RAH Date: September 9, 2026 RE: Rooted in Service, Powered by Community Needs – 2027 Operating Budget Walworth County Public Works (PW) employs a team of seventy-one skilled, dedicated employees who provide a range of services for county residents and other departments. WALCO sets and schedules services by task, staffing availability, and frequency needs. Our goal is to deliver these services in a timely, efficient, professional, and safe manner. Public Works services are defined by a level-of-service commitment and guided by state and federal regulations and internal policies. This document provides an overview of the department's organizational structure and payroll costs, followed by Public Works service standards, associated goals, and key performance measures that guide the development of our 2027 Operating Budget. ( INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK) 54 of 59 2 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE & PAYROLL Position 2026 Budget Current Positions 2027 Budget Request E nding Resul t Public Works Public Works Director 1.00 1.00 1.00 County Engineer 1.00 1.00 1.00 Business Office Coordinator 1.00 1.00 -1.00 0.00 Business Office and Logistic Services Supervisor 0.00 0.00 1.00 1.00 Facilities Deputy Director Asset Management (also Fleet & Parks) 1.00 1.00 1.00 Associate County Engineer Civil 1.00 1.00 1.00 Senior Project Manager 1.00 1.00 1.00 Project Manager 1.00 1.00 1.00 Facilities Foreman 1.00 1.00 1.00 Operations Support Assistant 1.00 1.00 1.00 Maintenance Technician I 1.00 2.00 2.00 Maintenance Technician II 4.00 2.00 2.00 Maintenance Technician III 6.00 6.00 6.00 Journeyman Electrician-New 2026 0.00 1.00 1.00 Finance Finance Manager 1.00 1.00 1.00 Senior Accountant 1.00 1.00 1.00 Accounting Assistant 1.00 1.00 1.00 Fleet Fleet Foreman 1.00 1.00 1.00 Mechanic I 1.00 1.00 1.00 Mechanic II 5.00 5.00 5.00 Fleet Inventory Specialist 1.00 1.00 1.00 Highway Deputy County Highway Commissioner 1.00 1.00 1.00 Superintendent 3.00 3.00 3.00 Assistant Superintendent 4.00 4.00 4.00 Highway Maintenance Worker 28.00 28.00 28.00 Operations Support Assistant 1.00 1.00 1.00 Parks and Grounds 0.00 0.00 Environmental Resource and Park Foreman 1.00 1.00 1.00 Groundskeeper 2.00 2.00 2.00 Total Positions 71.00 71.00 0.00 71.00 Department of Public Works Headcount The Director recommends creating a streamlined Administrative Section to improve internal use of IT systems, administrative workflows, and logistics accountability operations. 55 of 59 3 56 of 59 4 ASSET MANAGEMENT – DIVISION S implified Level of Service Statement: The Parks Management section maintains all County parks, trails, and grounds to ensure they are safe, clean, and accessible for public use. Responsibilities include routine grounds- keeping, facility upkeep, vegetation management, seasonal maintenance, and support for recreational amenities and public events. The division strives to preserve natural areas, maintain infrastructure and provide a welcoming environment that supports outdoor recreation and community enjoyment. Through proactive care, timely repairs, and coordinated resource management, Parks Maintenance ensures County parks remain attractive, functional, and well-maintained for residents and visitors. Maintenance Activity Approximate Labor Hours Remarks Natural Areas Vegetation Management - Parks No Prior Data Available Woodland, prairie, invasive species control mapping and restoration. Turf Management – Parks 546 Mowing and string trimming Facility Upkeep – Parks 1,450 Park Checks, general landscaping Landscape Vegetation Management - Campus 1,353 Focus on shrubs, trees, naturalized areas, and non-turf vegetation, including nutrition and/or herbicide management. Turf Management - Campus 1,237 Mowing and string trimming Trail Maintenance 556 Trail maintenance (mowing/ brushing); Signage; Bridge/ Railing Maintenance Winter Operations (Plowing) 1,336 Plowing and de-icing operations Public Event Support No Prior Data Available Support for MOU partners entails coordinating authorized park/trail use, ensuring adherence to partnership terms, and maintaining safe, orderly conditions during partnered activities. Facilities Maintenance 56 Repair and maintenance of playgrounds, shelters, and other park amenities Facilities Development No Prior Data Available Developing new facilities (Trails, Playgrounds, Etc.) P rimary Goals: The Parks Section aims to maintain safe, clean, and accessible parks, trails, and grounds that support year-round public use and community enjoyment. Core goals include preserving natural areas through effective vegetation management, controlling invasive species, and protecting sensitive habitats. The section maintains and repairs park infrastructure—such as shelters, playgrounds, restrooms, signage, and trails—to ensure reliability and safety. Seasonal responsibilities include storm cleanup, snow management on walkways, and preparing recreational areas and facilities for peak use. The team also supports community events, PARKS MANAGEMENT Mandate(s): Chapter 16-11 and Chapter 42 of the WALCO Ordinance outline the regulated use of County property (parks & grounds) but do not outline a specific mandate to the Department on maintenance standards. However, Administrative Procedure 2-112, Parks, Grounds and Green Space Management, outlines maintenance standards and department requirements. 57 of 59 5 e nhances park aesthetics through consistent groundskeeping, and promotes efficient resource management by coordinating staff, equipment, and materials effectively. Together, these goals sustain high-quality public spaces, extend the life of park assets, and provide welcoming environments for residents and visitors. K ey Performance Indicators: E stimated Operating Budget Allocation (Park Maintenance): Location Labor & Benefits Ops Total (Annual Change) Key Budget Highlights Parks & Trails Admin $56,864 $42,325 $99,189 (-8.6%) Natureland is the focus of a collaboration project to improve pavement in 2027. White River Trail is also a focus area for a collaboration project. F ull deployment of robotic mowers in 2027 will influence the redistribution of funding in the out years. Exploration and coordination for a 4th park continue. Natureland Park $18,140 $40,792 $58,932 (25.5%) Price Park $33,120 $14,252 $47,372 (-25%) White River Park $53,360 $44,945 $98,305 (11.4%) White River Trail $58,720 $9,400 $68,120 (128.6%) County Complex Trail $1,840 $0 $1,840 (103.3%) Snowmobile Grant $0 -- $102,200 58 of 59 6 FACILITIES/PARKS INFRASTRUCTURE W alworth County Project Managers are among the county's hardest-working staff members and lead new construction, remodel, and refurbishment projects. Department project managers ensure projects minimize operational disruptions, keep county staff and patrons safe, and maintain the facilities' good working order, long-term functionality, and maintenance. P rimary Goals: Maintain county facilities in good state of repair. Sustain facilities in accordance with the primary mission of the department and in line with the Facilities Master Plan(s). Remain adaptive and flexible to change. Complete assigned projects in a reasonable timeline with no serious disruption to critical operations of a department. K ey Performance Indicators: Mandates: Ordinance Sec. 16-31 Maintenance of Facilities Master Plan(s) and Facilities 59 of 59