Minutes

Park and Vacant Land Committee Draft Meeting Minutes – APPROVED Date: Monday, December 1, 2025 Time: 5:30 p.m. Location: 2800 Ward Ave, La Crosse, WI 54601 Present: Chairperson Renee Knutson; Committee Members, Jean Wiggert, Monica Redmond, Jeffrey Butler and Nate Torres; Administrator Christina Peterson. Absent/Excused: None Attendance List: None 1. Meeting called to order by Knutson at 5:31 p.m. 2. Minutes from 11/3/2025. Motion by Butler to approve minutes from 11/3/2025, second by Redmond. Motion carried unanimously. 3. Public Comment. none 4. Minutes Updates. Knutson contacted Aquinas regarding remnants of batting cage at Pammel Creek Park, and they agreed to remove it. 5. 2026 Meeting Schedule. Knutson shared the proposed schedule for 2026. 6. 2026 Budget / Project Ideas. Knutson explained that the concrete precast bases for benches have not arrived and trees were not ordered. The total of approximately $5000 for these projects was not carried forward in the 2026 budget, but Peterson noted it would be considered if the budget is amended in 2026, if more than 30k is needed for 2026. Updates and Project ideas for 2026: a. Green space between upper and lower Wedgewood terrace. b. Inspection of gazebo and possible repairs. Possible donation of services to rebuild gazebo. c. Torres mentioned adding more plantings for enjoyment of parks and road buffers , as well as plant maintenance d. Redmond mentioned beautification and accessibility are important , especially paving connections to trails. e. Wiggert mentioned adding a path to Smythe Park shelter, paving the trail at Pammel Creek (chip seal), and park signage. f. Torres suggested the Town consider a comprehensive outdoor recreational plan. Discussion on the existing information and option to hire a consultant. Knutson will pull information together on park information out of the binder. Assignment is to review the Town Comprehensive Plan park and vacant land section. g. Peterson will request that Wright give a summary of the park inspections from 2025. h. Butler asked about walking trail maps. Knutson reported that they are done, and kiosks will be ready by spring. i. Knutson noted maintenance concern for the stone wall in front of enclosed shelter at Mormon Coulee Park and suggested that landscaping should be added to hide pipes. She also suggested landscaping for the Z sidewalk. Playground area has drainage coming off and through, and she stated a dry creek bed would be ideal. Some landscaping in front of wood bathrooms would be nice. j. Ideas for Breidel Coulee Park include adding a bench, boardwalk through marsh, separating playground from the marsh with tamarack trees, or building a gazebo/covered shelter. k. Butler noted Wedgewood Valley teeter totter may need replacement soon. 7. Administrator Report a. ORA will have representatives at the Town Board meeting Dec. 16th to give presentation/update on the ORA Trail Farm Project. b. A proposed subdivision plat will be submitted soon for Featherstone Development at Hwy 33 and County F. Parks committee would like a chance to review the park proposal. 8. Chairperson/Commissioners Report a. Knutson notified that she will meet with Siena from Conscious Conservation, LLC on the progress for the Butterfly Trail Land Management Plan. 9. Next regular meeting will take place Monday, January 5, 2026 @ 5:30 p.m. 10. Adjournment. Motion by Butler to adjourn at 7:14 p.m., second by Torres. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully Submitted by Christina Peterson