Residents asked to help redesign bluff park

Erosion in Port Washington's Upper Lake Park has prompted the city to consider bluff stabilization measures and at the same time a park redesign. Photo by Sam Arendt
Port Washington residents are asked to let the city know what amenities they would like to see in Upper Lake Park as officials begin planning to deal with the receding bluff.
Public input will be taken from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2, in the Common Council Chamber at City Hall.
“We’re beginning the planning process for overall park improvement responding to natural bluff recession or an engineered bluff stabilization plan that cuts back the bluff,” Public Works Director Rob Vanden Noven said.
The city is working with Sam Waltman, a senior studying landscape architecture at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, who is doing a capstone project on the park plans.
“We feel very fortunate to have our project selected for a capstone project,” Vanden Noven said, noting it is a competitive process and the work is done at no cost to the city.
“I think a lot of exciting options will finally be explored.”
Planning for the Upper Lake Park project is in its infancy, Vanden Noven said, although the city has been working on plans to stabilize the bluff.
Given the multi-million-dollar price tag associated with bluff stabilization, it will likely take years for the city to complete the project, but Vanden Noven said there are several aspects of the project the city needs to do no matter what.
“The things we know we need to address are road relocation and a dedicated pedestrian lane,” he said.
The road through the park is close to the edge of the bluff in places and officials are concerned that it poses a continuing danger as the bluff collapses.
A dedicated pedestrian path around the park has been a priority for years. While sidewalks lead to the park on its north and south ends, within the park there is a pedestrian lane — a wide shoulder — that is only separated from traffic by a painted stripe, and officials have talked for years about having a pedestrian walkway that’s separated from the road.
“We are determined to put something in that’s suitable for pedestrians, particularly those who are walking to Possibility Playground — families with young children,” Vanden Noven said. “I think it’s been a long time coming.
“The pedestrian lane is fine for adults, but it means nothing to a 2 or 3-year-old.”
The meeting will open with a presentation by officials and Waltman followed by an open house.
There will be displays on potential amenities and possible changes to the park that people can react to, as well as opportunities for people to provide input to officials and university representatives.
“These are very preliminary ideas,” Vanden Noven said. “The plan is in its infancy. We really just want to get people’s input on what they want to see in the park.”
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