Minutes

Park and Vacant Land Committee Draft Meeting Minutes – APPROVED Date: Monday, May 5, 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, Nate Torres; Administrator Christina Peterson. Absent: None. Attendance List: None. 1. Meeting called to order by Knutson at 5:30 p.m. 2. Minutes from 3/3/2025. Motion by Butler to approve minutes from 3/3/2025, second by Torres. Motion carried unanimously. 3. Public Comment. None. 4. Tennis Court Update. Knutson reported that due to town budget cuts, the Tennis Courts project will be postponed. Torres suggests having a comprehensive outdoor recreation plan or similar plan to support grant applications. 5. Bluffland/County Grant Project Update. Peterson will check with GIS consultant to request their assistance with the mapping. Peterson received new contacts from USFW and NRCS who may be able to help with the Land Management Plan. 6. Parks Annual Report. Knutson shared the annual report that she presented at the Town Annual Meeting. 7. River Hills Park Request. Knutson reported that she met with Alissa, a resident who had ideas for the park. Ideas included ways to reduce mowing on steep. Basketball court is an asset. Alissa recommends changes relating to the natural environment. Create a slide in the hill, community garden, etc. Alissa also wants to reach out to funding sources to help advance the project. Torres mentioned that anything new on the hillside may be impacted by snow and salt in the winter. 8. 2025 Locations for Benches and Garbage Cans. Knutson proposed locations for garbage cans and benches as an option for part of the $30,000 parks budget. See maps. She encouraged discussion on other projects for the budget. Butler suggested distributing funds to parks that have not received attention. Redmond prefers to finish Nolop Estates Park and then possibly Hills of Home Park. Further priority would be Skyline Park, Pammel Creek Park, and then Mormon Coulee Park. Ideas for landscaping should take into consideration the maintenance. Tall grasses and/or fescue were mentioned. Tree maintenance is also a concern in the parks. Knutson suggested looking at backless benches. 9. Administrator Report a. Peterson gave an update on the ORA Trail Farm. 10. Chairperson/Commissioners Report a. Redmond suggested a field trip to Nolop Estates Park and add promotion of the site. b. Knutson asked the committee to look at the spring rider playground equipment. 11. Adjournment. Motion by Redmond to adjourn at 6:49 p.m., second by Butler. Motion carried unanimously. Next regular meeting will take place Monday, June 2, 2025 @ 5:30 p.m. Respectfully Submitted by Christina Peterson, Administrator.