Parks and Public Spaces Meeting

Parks and Public Spaces Committee 3930 N. Murray Avenue, Committee Room June 9, 2026 - 6:00 p.m. AGENDA 1. Call to Order 2. C onsider approval of May 12, 2026, meeting minutes 3. C itizens to be Heard – this item is for matters not on the agenda. Discussion may follow comments on non- agenda items or discussion, and action may come at future meetings. • Yuliia Skliarova – Nature Playground 4. 2 026 Initiative - Consider updates to Village Code Ch. 207 a. Re port progress to date b. Action items 5. 2 026 Initiative - Vision triangle regulations review – no progress to date 6. 2 026 Initiative - Rational Recreational Rules – Village Code Ch. 466-30 7. R eckless Driving Signage TAPR 8. C onsider Separating Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety from Parks and Public Spaces 9. F uture Items for Consideration 10. Subcommittee Chair Reports 11 . Staff Liaison Report a. Policy 49 Workplans, Village Initiatives, and Task Assignments • De cember – Annual Report Due • March – Proposed initiatives to be submitted by March 1 o All submissions must be approved by committee prior to submission b. 2027 Initiatives c. July meeting date 12 . Adjournment DATED at Shorewood, Wisconsin this 3rd day of June 2026. V ILLAGE OF SHOREWOOD, Toya Harrell, Village Clerk Memb ers of the public are encouraged to participate by submitting questions to Nicole Berzin, Assistant Village Manager at nberzin@shorewoodwi.gov or 414-847-2705 by noon of the meeting date. It is possible that members of and possibly a quorum of members of other governmental bodies of the municipality may be in attendance at the above stated meeting to gather information; no action will be taken by any governmental body at the above stated meeting other than the governmental body specifically referred to above in this notice. Upon reasonable notice, efforts will be made to accommodate the needs of all individuals. V ILLAGE OF SHOREWOOD REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS TO PARKS AND PUBLIC SPACES COMMITTEE Meeting date: June 9, 2026 Staff Liaison: Nicole Berzin, Assistant Village Manager A genda Item Discussion – Please provide a summary of the agenda item along with bullet points highlighting the main items and key issues to be discussed. Below, please find a summary of the meeting agenda items for June 9, 2026. 2. C onsider approval of May 12, 2026, meeting minutes. Please see attached. 3. C itizens to be Heard. Yuliia Skliarova, community member, to be heard on Nature Playgrounds. See attached. 4. 2 026 Initiative – Consider updates to Village Code Ch. 207 (continuation of 2025 initiative) This item was submitted by PPS but assigned to the Police Department. Chief Wurth will be in attendance to discuss final edits approved by Attorney Bayer. See attached. 5. 2 026 Initiative – Vision Triangle Review This initiative was assigned to the Planning and Development Department (and Department of Public Works) within the Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan. The Planning Director and Lead Building Inspector have drafted a proposed update as part of the Conservation Committee’s requested modifications to natural lawn regulations, which cross references vision setbacks. This item has been deferred to the June Plan Commission meeting by President McKaig. More information to come. 6. 2026 Initiative – Rational Recreational Rules Project Village Code 466-30 This item was submitted by PPS but assigned to the Police Department (as time permits). This item went to Village Board as an initiative on June 1, 2026, and was denied. This item will be removed from future agendas. 7. R eckless Driving Signage This item was submitted as a TAPR by the Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Subcommittee and wen to the Public Works committee on June 1, 2026. It was deferred indefinitely. The item then went to Village Board as a submitted initiative. It was denied at the Board level. This item will be removed from future agendas. 8. C onsider separating Bike/Ped Safety from Parks and Public Spaces At the May Parks and Public Spaces meeting, the committee discussed the effectiveness of the Parks and Public Spaces Committee. It was decided that the committee would be better separated in two: Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Committee and Parks and Public Spaces Committee. The agenda item has been re-worded to allow for a vote from the committee. 9. F uture Items for Consideration Future Items of Consideration are items not listed on the agenda that members would like to discuss or consider at a future meeting date. The members are requested to vote on whether an item should be discussed at a future meeting. Wis Stat require the public have notice on the agenda of the topics to be Parks and Public Spaces Committee February 10, 2026 2 discussed and considered. If an item is voted to be listed on a future agenda, discussion on the item shall occur after being listed to provide proper notice. 10. Subcommittee Chair Reports At the May 12, 2026, PPS meeting, the committee voted to have “subcommittee chair reports” be a standing item on all agendas. 11. Staff Liaison Report Attachments – Please list the following attachments and supporting documents for this agenda item. Some attachments may be hyperlinked. Include Fiscal notes, if applicable, as the first attachment following this memorandum. Attachments may include agreements/contracts, presentation materials, letters, service proposals, etc. 1. May 12, 2026, minutes 2. Natural Playgrounds 3. Chapter 207 materials Village of Shorewood Parks and Public Spaces Committee May 12, 2026 Members Present: Chair Mansfield, Members Avallone, Mason, Pero, Kaczmarek, Santeler, Hammond, and Pendelton Excused: Brunk, Mason, Jorgensen, and Berry Others Present: Assistant Village Manager Berzin and Trustee Stokebrand 1. Call to Order Mansfield called the meeting to order at 6:00pm. 2. Consider approval of March 10, 2026, meeting minutes Pendleton moves to approve minutes. Hammond seconds. Motion carries 8-0. 3. Citizens to be Heard – this item is for matters not on the agenda. Discussion may follow comments on non-agenda items or discussion, and action may come at future meetings. No citizens to be heard. 4. Policy 49 Workplans, Village Initiatives, and Task Assignments a. January 31 – Volunteer Boards and Committees identify prior year accomplishments in the 2025 annual report • Information to be submitted by noon December 23; project will be compiled and reviewed and considered by Committee on January 13 b. March 1 – Volunteer Boards and Committees submit proposed initiatives to the Village Manager for consideration in the next fiscal year (2027). • Deadline noon January 26; proposed initiatives will be complied and considered by the Committee on February 10 prior to submission 5. 2025 Initiative - 2026 Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan – Complete a. Report progress to date • Mansfield stated the board approved the plan at the March 16 th board meeting. • The parks initiatives are all coordinated with the plan. b. Action items – review updated draft document 6. 2026 Initiative - Consider updates to Village Code Ch. 207 a. Report progress to date • Berzin stated Chief Wurth will be present at the June meeting with an update. b. Action items 7. 2026 Initiative - Vision triangle regulations review a. Report progress to date • Waiting on update from Planning and Development Director. b. Action items 8. 2026 Initiative - Rational Recreational Rules – Village Code Ch. 466-30 a. Report progress to date • Pendleton reported that the project has been designated to Chief Wurth but the Ped/Bike Subcommittee will get recommendations/ideas to the Chief. b. Action items • Berzin to check with Chief if there is an update to report on in June. 9. Reckless Driving Signage Transportation And Parking Request (TAPR) a. Report progress to date • Pendleton reported on the March and April Public Works Committee meetings. o One trustee is interested in doing a sign with color that is noticeable, one trustee is not interested if it is only text, and the third trustee doesn’t like the idea of another sign. o The Chief was asked to attend the June meeting to give more insight on the issue. • Berzin stated the PW Committee was concerned about sign fatigue. • Stokebrand suggests the icon in a different color that makes it more eye catching • Hammond states that coming into Shorewood on Capital and going under the pedestrian bridge is a great indicator to slow down • Pero suggests doing education within the Village • Santeler suggests moving toward signs that show your speed and light up when you’re going too fast instead of a written sign. • Avallone suggests putting signs on receptacles or getting the walk sign that has flashing lights. • Avallone suggests community events, shut down road, have the chief speak, and do education o Stokebrand suggests bringing it to the Board even if voted no on at the committee level so the Board can decide what to do moving forward and if there should be community events/education. b. Action items • Pendleton asked the committee to brainstorm creative ways to slow traffic that maybe is not just a sign. 10. Consider making “Reports from Subcommittee Chairs” a standing item • Pendleton motions to approve. Greenman seconds. Motion carries 8-0. 11. Discussion of Village Policies 32 and 33 • Mansfield explained the policies and the group discussed the need to be in person but can use virtual if needed. • Berzin to send Santeler training based on policy 33. 12. Full discussion of the effectiveness of the Parks and Public Spaces Committee • Manfield presented the survey results to the committee. • Pendleton gave background on the previous Pedestrian Bike Committee and why the committee originally combined with the Parks Commission. • Hammond states that Parks and Public Spaces does not have anything to do with the Public Art Committee (based on previous discussion). • Avallone stated that how it is currently structured is more like a status update at each meeting • Trustee Stokebrand suggests separating into two committees that both meet bi- monthly on alternating months to avoid limited staff time. • Pendleton suggest Bart or Leeann are the staff liaison for the Ped/Bike Committee 13. Future Items for Consideration Future Items of Consideration are items not listed on the agenda that members would like to discuss or consider at a future meeting date. The members are requested to vote on whether an item should be discussed at a future meeting. Wis Stat require the public have notice on the agenda of the topics to be discussed and considered. If an item is voted to be listed on a future agenda, discussion on the item shall occur after being listed to provide proper notice. • Pendleton motions to add “Consider separating Bike/Ped Safety from Parks and Public Spaces”. Hammond seconds. Motion carries 8-0. 14. Staff Liaison Report • Berzin reminds committee of Vision Zero Summit 15. Adjournment Greenman motions to adjourn. Avallone seconds. Motion carries 8-0. Respectfully submitted, Nicole Berzin, Assistant Village Manager Nature loose-parts playground in Shorewood Purpose Engage children of all ages (and adults) to play, create and build at the unstructured playground. Our family lives on the southwest side of the village and there are no playgrounds that are not associated with schools nearby. Moreover, there are no nature playgrounds in Shorewood. Loose parts, nature playgrounds are a place where loose materials are used by children of various ages to build, move and create structures. Encouraging children and teens to play outside away from the screens. We often come to t he Urban ecology park and there is nature playground at the river level. We noticed that kids of all ages and some adults enjoy spending time building, destroying, sorting, moving branches, wood, sticks. This is a perfect space for children to practice building skills, work in teams while spending time outdoors any time of the year . Nature play improves physical and social skills, promotes creativity and lets children find out more about environment. Our son, who is 4 years old and his friends (3,5 and 10 years old) all enjoy playing with branches, trees, rocks and can spend hours outside doing it. This playground would be a great place not only for young children but also for preteens, who are often pulled into the digital world too early. It would give them another option for spending time with their friends outdoors. Benefits for children Loose Parts Play (LPP) focuses on utilizing materials that offer multiple possibilities, enabling children to engage in diverse play experiences and develop cognitive capacities like executive function and cognitive self-regulation. LPP provides flexibility and adaptability, allowing children to manipulate, combine, and transform loose parts in countless ways, thereby facilitating open- ended play experiences [1]. Loose parts play benefits: • enables children to take risks. • sparks creativity and imagination. • contributes to determination and resilience. • cultivates independence and confidence. • builds relationships and leadership [2]. Materials Wood (fallen trees, branches, logs cut up and uncut), rocks. Budget and maintenance This project requires a small budget. The village needs to bring some trees, stomps, branches, and sticks to transform the area into lean -tos, teepees and other structures for kids to have fun with. DPW can update the play area yearly with regular tree trimmings that occur throughout Shorewood. Alternatively, wood can be purchased. Location River Park, which has baseball and soccer fields, also has a space in southwest corner right next to bike trail that used to be a small playground. This area could be converted into nature playground similar to the space at Urban Ecology Center Riverside Park. The playground would be behind table tennis and covered picnic area. View of River Park from Google Maps (Location marked with red square) Examples Below are photos of the Urban Ecology Center set up. We came to the park in all seasons, and you can tell it was used by other people, because every time the branches are rearranged in different structures. Urban Ecology Center Riverside Park. Andy and our son Danylo playing at the park in winter Thank you for considering this idea and for taking care of all our parks in Shorewood. Please contact us at yuliiaskliarova@gmail.com or call 414-797-1035. References 1. Preschool Children’s Loose Parts Play and the Relationship to Cognitive Development: A Review of the Literature. NIH. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10456023/ 2. Educator perceptions on the benefits and challenges of loose parts play in the outdoor environments of childcare centres. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6940583/ Chapter 207 (HW - Proposed Draft 2026) BICYCLES, ELECTRIC BICYCLES, AND RELATED VEHICLES § 207-1. Definitions. § 207-2. Registration. § 207-3. Failure to register. § 207-4. Change of ownership. § 207-5. Bicycle, electric bicycle and motor bicycle operation. § 207-6. Roller skates, in-line skates, skateboards and scooters. § 207-7. Parental responsibility. § 207-8. Laws incorporated by reference. § 207-9 Violations and penalties. § 207-1. Definitions. A. As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the definitions indicated in Wis. Stat. § 340.01: BICYCLE, ELECTRIC BICYCLE, ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE, ELECTRIC SCOOTER, IN-LINE SKATES, MOTOR BICYCLE, OPERATOR and VEHICLE. B. Additionally, as used in this chapter: (1) The term “CONVENTIONAL BICYCLE” means a bicycle that has no motor (be it electric or otherwise powered) attached or incorporated into it. (HW – This definition is unnecessary and redundant as “bicycle” is already defined in Wisconsin State Statutes and “conventional” bicycle meets the definition criteria as it is simply a two-wheeled vehicle propelled by a person acting upon pedals, without any electric motor or engine assistance). ATTY RECOMMENDATION: ELIMINATING DEFINITION OF “CONVENTIONAL BICYCLE” Agree 100%. As you aptly note that definition already exists in the state statutes and would be redundant here. For consistency’s sake we don’t want to add “conventional bicycle.” (2)(1) The term PARK PATH means any paved path in Shorewood under the Village’s jurisdiction that runs through a public park, or any public-school grounds. (HW RECOMMENDED - “Park path” means a paved or unpaved route located entirely within a public park and intended primarily for pedestrian, bicycle, or other non-motorized recreational travel. A park path is not a sidewalk, roadway, bicycle lane, bicycle way, or pedestrian way as defined in state law, and it does not serve as part of the public street system.) **NOTE – “PARK PATH” is not defined within Wisconsin State Statutes and must therefore be a locally defined term. ATTY RECOMMENDATION: PARK PATH DEFINITION: I would also choose your drafted suggestion: “Park path” means a paved or unpaved route located entirely within a public park and intended primarily for pedestrian, bicycle, or other non-motorized recreational travel. A park path is not a sidewalk, roadway, bicycle lane, bicycle way, or pedestrian way as defined in state law, and it does not serve as part of the public street system. (3) The term PUBLIC (HW) SIDEWALK means that portion of a highway between the curb lines, or the lateral lines of a roadway, and the adjacent property lines, constructed for use of pedestrians. (HW RECOMMENDED – Directly matches the language from Wisconsin State Statute 340.01(58)). ATTORNEY RECOMMENDATION: SIDEWALK DEFINITION: Agree to directly match 340.01(58). SUGGESTION: Add to 207-1 A. that “sidewalk” “shall have the definition indicated in 340.01.” Just need to add “sidewalk” to the list. (4) The term TRAIL means any unpaved path in Shorewood under the Village’s jurisdiction that runs through a public park, or any public-school grounds. (HW – Recommendation to remove this language/definition in its entirety. “RECRATIONAL TRAIL” is defined in Wisconsin State Statutes NR 50.21(3)(d) as a thoroughfare or track across land or snow used for recreational purposes such as bicycling, cross country skiing, day hiking, equestrian activities, jogging or similar fitness activities, trail biking, overnight and long distance backpacking, snowmobiling, aquatic or water activity, and vehicular travel by motorcycle, 4-wheel drive or all-terrain off-road vehicles and that provision of Wisconsin State Statues is applicable to all Villages participating in the national recreational trails program. I was unable to locate any other language defining trail. While I am not opposed to its inclusion, it must be more aptly defined AND the assertion by P&PS of legislation or decision making for the Oaks Riparian is unnecessary as this is private property and not under the jurisdiction of the Village.) ATTORNEY RECOMMEDATION: ELIMINATION OF THE TERM “TRAIL” Agreed. The Wisconsin Admin Code definition of “recreational trial” makes unnecessary. § 207-2. Registration. A. It shall be unlawful for any person living in the Village to operate or use a bicycle upon any of the public highways within the Village of Shorewood unless the bicycle is properly registered with the Village Clerk and displays a registration identification tag obtained from the Village Clerk. B. Every owner of any bicycle within the Village of Shorewood shall file with the Village Clerk a complete bicycle description upon a registration form to be provided by the Village Clerk for such purpose; such filing shall constitute a registration of such bicycle. Such registration shall be serially numbered, and a record thereof shall be transferred by the Clerk to the Police Department to be kept as a public record. C. Upon the registration with the Village Clerk, the Clerk will issue a registration tag which will be serially numbered to correspond with the registration thereof. The owner shall immediately affix the registration tag to the bicycle in a conspicuous place. Such registration tag shall thereafter remain affixed to the bicycle as long as the owner retains the bicycle and remains a resident of the Village. A charge as enumerated within the Village Fee Schedule shall be made for any registration. § 207-3. Failure to register. Any officer of the Police Department shall have the authority to impound an unregistered bicycle that is subject to the provisions of this chapter if located or being operated on any public street, sidewalk, alley, or grounds. Further, a registration holder hereunder shall be subject to the penalties provided for under § 207-9 of this chapter. § 207-4. Change of ownership. Within 10 days after any bicycle registered hereunder shall have changed ownership, or been dismantled and taken out of operation, such information shall be reported to the Village Clerk by the person in whose name the bicycle has been registered. § 207-5. Bicycle, electric bicycle and motor bicycle operation. A. Every bicycle shall at all times have attached thereon a locking device to enable the operator thereof to lock it when not in use. B. (Reserved) C. No conventional (HW) bicycle shall be operated on any public sidewalk, park path, or trail, except that: a child 12 years of age or less (hereinafter a “child”), or a person with a disability whose disability makes it unsafe for the person to operate a conventional bicycle in the street, may operate a conventional bicycle on a public sidewalk or park path. When a child is permitted to operate a conventional bicycle on a public sidewalk or park path, or when a person with a disability is permitted to ride a conventional bicycle on a public sidewalk or park path, a person accompanying the child or disabled rider may also ride a conventional bicycle on the sidewalk. Whenever any person identified above is riding a conventional bicycle on a public sidewalk or park path, the person pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 346.804 shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and exercise due care and give an audible signal when passing a bicycle, electric scooter, or electric personal assistive mobility device rider or a pedestrian proceeding in the same direction. Additionally, (1) no conventional bicycle shall be operated on any trail; and (2) no electric scooter, electric bicycle or motor bicycle shall be operated on any public sidewalk, park path, or trail. Notwithstanding the above, law enforcement officers in the necessary discharge of their official duties may operate a conventional bicycle, electric bicycle, motor bicycle or electric scooter on any public sidewalk, park path or trail (including with, as applicable, its power unit in operation). D. No person may operate a motor bicycle on any Village street unless: (1) The person operating the motor bicycle holds a valid driver's license from Wisconsin or another state, as required by Wis. Stat. § 343.05(3)(c); (2) The motor bicycle is operated subject to all vehicle, traffic and parking requirements as set forth in Wisconsin Statutes and Chapter 500 of the Shorewood Village Code; and (3) The motor bicycle is operated at a speed of 25 miles per hour or less. § 207-6. Roller skates, in-line skates, skateboards and scooters. A. The use of roller skates, in-line skates, skateboards and scooters on public parking lots, steps of public buildings, public driveways and public tennis courts or within the Village Hall, Village Center-Library complex, is hereby prohibited. B. It shall be unlawful for any person to use or operate upon any sidewalk in the Village between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. any roller skates, in-line skates, skateboards and scooters except such as are equipped with rubber tires upon each roller, blade or wheel thereof. C. Where the use of roller skates, in-line skates, skateboards and scooters is not otherwise prohibited, those using them shall: (1) Yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian; (2) Give an audible signal when overtaking and passing others who are proceeding in the same direction; and (3) Not otherwise unreasonably endanger or interfere with pedestrian traffic or other traffic. § 207-7. Parental responsibility. No parent or guardian of any child shall authorize or knowingly permit such child to violate any of the provisions of this chapter, or any statutes cited in Wis. Stat. § 346.77. § 207-8. Laws incorporated by reference. In addition to other provisions of the Village of Shorewood Code that have adopted and incorporated, by reference, various provisions of the Wisconsin Statutes, the Village of Shorewood adopts by reference those provisions within Chapters 340 to 350 of the Wisconsin Statutes relating to bicycles, electric bicycles, electric personal assistive mobility devices, electric scooters, in-line skates, mopeds, motor bicycles, and play vehicles, and those provisions are all incorporated herein by reference. Any future amendments, revisions or modifications of those provisions incorporated herein are intended to be made part of this chapter in order to secure uniform statewide regulation of traffic on the highways, streets and alleys of the State of Wisconsin. § 207-9. Electric Scooters. Addition approved by Village Board on 4/6/26, originally assigned 207-7, renumbered under current resolution. A. Definitions. The following definitions shall apply to this Section. (1) “Electric scooter” means a device weighing less than one hundred pounds that has handlebars and an electric motor that is powered solely by the electric motor and human power and has a maximum speed of not more than 15 miles per hour on a paved level surface when powered solely by the electric motor. (2) “Pedestrian path” means a paved walkway located within a public park or public school ground. (3) “Public sidewalk” means a paved walkway located within the public right of way along the side of a roadway. B. Operating restrictions. (1) Not withstanding Wis. Stat. 346.805 and pursuant to Wis. Stat. 349.237(2), no person may operate an electric scooter on a public sidewalk or pedestrian path, except within River Park. C. Parking requirements. Pursuant to Wis. Stat. 349.13(1d), the owner and operator of an electric scooter involved in a parking violation are jointly liable for the violation. (1) No person may park an electric scooter on a roadway, nor within any bicycle lane or bicycle accommodation. (2) A person may only park an electric scooter in an upright position on a sidewalk, within a bicycle rack or an area designated for parking electric scooters in a manner that leaves a clear pedestrian path of at least five feet. (3) No person may park an electric scooter in a manner that obstructs: (a) A crosswalk or access to a crosswalk; (b) A driveway or private road; (c) A carriage walk; (d) A transit stop; (e) A loading or accessible parking zone; or, (f) A parklet, outdoor seating or street furniture. (4) If the Chief of Police or Director of Public Work, or their designees, finds any electric scooter parked for more than twenty-four hours, or otherwise in violation of this section, the Chief, Director, or their designees, may have the electric scooter immediately removed to a suitable place of impoundment. If the owner of the electric scooter is known, the Police Department shall notify the owner of the procedure for reclaiming the electric scooter within 24 hours after removal and inform the owner that the electric scooter may be disposed of pursuant to Wis. Stat. 66.0139 if it remains unclaimed for a period of 30 days. The owner of the electric scooter shall, within 30 days of removal, reclaim the electric scooter by paying a fee as outlined in the Village Fee Schedule for the cost of removal and storage. The Village assumes no responsibility for damage to electric scooters impounded under this section. D. Short-term commercial rental restrictions. (1) No person may engage in the business of short-term commercial rental of electric scooters to the general public without a short-term commercial rental agreement approved by the Village. (2) No person who engages in the business of short-term commercial rental of electric scooters to the general public in another municipality may allow a rented scooter to be operated in the village of Shorewood without a short-term commercial rental agreement approved by the Village. § 207-910. Violations and penalties. A. In addition to penalties imposed hereinafter, any person who shall violate(s) any of the provisions of this chapter shall may, upon conviction thereof, be subject to the suspension of his the bicycle registration for not more than 30 days or to the revocation thereof. B. Except where a penalty is otherwise prescribed, the penalty for violation of any provision of this chapter shall be as set forth in § 115-1 of the Village Code.