Parks and Conservation Packet - 1/6/2016
CITY OF MUSKEGO
PARKS AND CONSERVATION
COMMITTEE AGENDA
January 6, 2016
6:00 PM
Muskego City Hall, W182 S8200 Racine Avenue
CALL TO ORDER
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
STATEMENT OF PUBLIC NOTICE
APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM DECEMBER 1, 2015.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Approval to expand the existing storm water retention pond in Moorland Park.
2. Discuss removal of the existing split rail fence in Denoon Park.
3. Park Assessments for New Park and Conservation Plan
OLD BUSINESS
1. Aster Hills Neighborhood Park Name
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
1. Public Works Director's Report
2. Conservation Coordinator's Report
COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW
Announcements only. No discussion or action will be taken.
ADJOURNMENT
NOTICE
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.
ALSO, UPON REASONABLE NOTICE, EFFORTS WILL BE MADE TO ACCOMMODATE THE NEEDS OF DISABLED
INDIVIDUALS THROUGH APPROPRIATE AIDS AND SERVICES. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR TO REQUEST THIS
SERVICE, MUSKEGO CITY HALL, (262) 679-4136.
Unapproved
CITY OF MUSKEGO
PARKS AND CONSERVATION
COMMITTEE MINUTES
December 1, 2015
6:00 PM
Muskego City Hall, W182 S8200 Racine Avenue
CALL TO ORDER
Toby Whipple called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Those present recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Present: Toby Whipple, Brett Hyde, Jerry Hulbert, Sharon Roy, Paul Peardon, Ald. Bob
Hammel, and Barbara Erdmann.
Excused: Howard Schneider and Bill Miller.
STATEMENT OF PUBLIC NOTICE
The meeting was noticed in accordance with the open meeting laws.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 3, 2015 MEETING.
Paul Peardon made a motion to approve the minutes of the November 3, 2015
meeting. Ald. Bob Hammel seconded.
Motion Passed 7 in favor.
NEW BUSINESS
Approval of 2016 Athletic Field Usage Policy/Procedure
Jerry Hulbert made a motion to defer the 2016 Athletic Field Usage Policy/Procedure.
Brett Hyde seconded.
Jerry Hulbert and Brett Hyde rescinded the motion and second.
Jerry Hulbert made a motion to approve the 2016 Athletic Field Usage
Policy/Procedure striking out a minimal fee to priority group II but approving an
increase to tournament and non-resident group fees, and to further study increasing
field usage fees and creating a field maintenance account. Brett Hyde seconded.
Motion Passed 7 in favor.
Aster Hills Neighborhood Park Name
Paul Peardon made a motion to defer Aster Hills Neighborhood Park Name. Jerry
Hulbert seconded.
Motion Passed 7 in favor.
Park Assessments for New Park and Conservation Plan
* Approval of seasonal snowmobiling at Denoon Park.
Paul Peardon made a motion to approve seasonal snowmobiling at Denoon Park.
Jerry Hulbert seconded.
Motion Passed 7 in favor.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Public Works Director's Report
Conservation Coordinator's Report
Recreation Manager's Report
COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW
Announcements only. No discussion or action will be taken.
ADJOURNMENT
Brett Hyde made a motion to adjourn at 8:13 PM. Jerry Hulbert seconded.
Motion Passed 7 in favor.
CITY OF MUSKEGO
Staff Report to Parks and Conservation Committee
To: Parks and Conservation Committee
From: David Simpson, P.E., Director of Public Works/City Engineer
Subject: Retention Pond Expansion at Moorland Park
Date: December 29, 2015
The City is planning to reconstruct Moorland Road from Janesville Road to Woods
Road in 2018. As part of the project we will be adding additional impervious
surface as well as curb and gutter. Because of this we will need to expand the
existing retention pond to increase the storage capacity to further treat storm water
runoff. The attached exhibit shows the potential expansion area that might be
needed. This is worst case and may in fact be smaller than the area shown once all
the calculations are completed and State approval given.
I am seeking approval from the Committee to expand the existing pond to an area
no larger than that as shown on the attached.
Page 1 of 1
PARK IMPACTS EXHIBIT
WAUKESHA COUNTY
JANESVILLE ROAD TO MCSHANE DRIVE
MOORLAND ROAD
PROJECT 2723-00-71
MOORLAND PARK
SCALE, FEET
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MOORLAND ROAD
ROSEWOOD DRIVE
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PLAYGROUND
PARK
SKATEBOARD
INPRO
SOCCER FIELD
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POTENTIAL POND EXPANSION
SLOPE INTERCEPT (TYP)
SANDALWOOD CIRCLE
Page 1 of 1
CITY OF MUSKEGO
Staff Report to Parks and Conservation Committee
To: Parks and Conservation Committee
From: David Simpson, P.E., Director of Public Works/City Engineer
Subject: Split Rail Fence at Denoon Park
Date: December 29, 2015
As part of our park assessments we made note of the condition of the split rail fence
at Denoon Park. We have also received a least one complaint regarding the
condition of the fence. As you can see from the pictures below the fencing is in very
poor condition with every post having substantial damage from many years of
string trimming. I believe that the fencing is not necessary and is not serving a vital
function to the park. By removing the fence we would also be able to increase
efficiency of mowing which would in turn keep mowing costs down. If the
Committee agrees with the recommendation we will remove the fence as staff time
allows.
CITY OF MUSKEGO
Staff Report to Parks & Conservation Committee
January 6, 2016 Meeting
To: Parks and Conservation Committee
From: Jeff Muenkel, AICP EDFP
Subject: Parks, Conservation, & Recreation Plan Park Assessments
Date: December 23, 2015
For tonight’s meeting we are focusing on the following park assessments:
Bluhm Farm Park
Moorland Park
Horn Field
Veterans Memorial Park
Old Muskego Settlement Centre
Muskego Centre Park
Completing these assessments are key in determining the efficiencies as well as the future needs of our park system. We
have taken a unique approach in the assessments in order to gauge various perspectives on future recommendations for
our parks. The assessments consisted of Jeff Muenkel (planning/design perspective), Tammy Dunn (recreation
perspective), Dave Simpson (maintenance perspective), and Tom Zagar (conservation/landscaping perspective).
Please find attached staff’s park assessments for the parks noted above. Take some time to think about the assessments
we have completed and come prepared with your own notes about what future needs you may see in our parks. Items
can be related to maintenance, recreation, landscaping, and more.
Bluhm Farm Park Assessment – 9/22/15
Present: ComDev Director Jeff Muenkel, Public Works Director David Simpson, Recreation Manager
Tammy Dunn, & City Conservationist Tom Zagar
2011‐2016 Plan Recommendations: None
Observations
North Side:
USE: Heavy baseball/softball (Club & MAA) use on Fields #3 and #4 (mid May‐mid July); Heavy MAA
football use between Fields #3 and #4 (Aug.‐mid Oct.); Ample parking for each sport
‐No signage denoting park on north side
‐Dumpster & enclosure not used
‐No landscaping on Bluhm north
‐City water close to Bluhm north bathroom building now
‐Mowing grass east of Field #3
South Side:
USE: Heavy baseball (Club & MAA) use on Fields #1 and #2 (mid May‐mid July); Muskego Rugby use on
turf west of baseball Field #2 (Aug.‐mid Oct.); Ample parking lot; 2‐5 yr old & 5‐12 yr old playground;
basketball hoop; rentable pavilion with bathrooms; conservation trails.
‐Main signage old wood sign that requires maintenance
‐Bleachers for baseball fields #1 and #2 aging and a safety concern
‐Pine Mature Trees maintenance issue
‐Have garbage can plan (many around and alternate types)
‐Railroad ties sticking out of ground around parking lot serve no purpose
‐Prairie planting behind Field #1, along first base side, causes issues with baseball programming
‐Fencing around Fields #1 and #2 aging
‐Benches on Fields #1 and #2 subpar. Don’t extend along whole dugout and cramped
‐Pavilion needs painting; especially wood timbers
‐Appears a portion of the park was graded for a former ice skating rink
‐No signage/map for overall park and trail system
‐Dumpster should be kept here; enclosure aging
‐Basketball hoop is in parking lot
‐Excellent trail system through environmental lands on Bluhm south; not made know or marked well
Rec Club Discussion Observations:
‐Bluhm south short of parking on baseball game days
‐Lights on any/all Bluhm baseball/softball fields would help to expand programs and alleviate need for
other fields in city. Lights would work well on Bluhm north for MAA football programming as well.
‐Bluhm south baseball/softball fields need more maintenance on fencing, dugouts, benches, bleachers
Recommendations (* denotes cost‐share possibility; ^ denotes volunteer project possibility)
Core Recommendations:
‐Add main park sign on north side and replace south main sign (low maintenance signage that is
consistent throughout all parks)
‐Possibly add a sign with an overall park map noting amenities; Add trail identification/interpretive
signage
‐Keep basketball hoop as is but consider new half court outside of parking lot in future via road program
‐Possibility to establish ice skating rink here again if desired
‐Consider connecting northern building to water now that it is close
‐*Purchase one new set of bleachers for fields #1 and #2; Remove old
‐*Replace dugouts on Fields #1 and #2. Expand and install new benches
‐*Replace fencing around Fields #1 and #2 (w/in 5 years)
‐*Consider adding lights to baseball/softball/football fields to increase usage and availability
‐*Add more parking at Bluhm south for baseball/softball
‐^Consider tree planting plan and plant trees on Bluhm north; Use Urban Forestry Grant when available
Maintenance Recommendations:
‐Remove dumpster & enclosure from Bluhm north
‐Redevelop/paint dumpster enclosure on Bluhm south
‐Stock park with same consistent garbage can; remove all others
‐Paint Pavilion once consistent park pavilion color is established
‐Remove pine trees from Bluhm south
‐Remove railroad ties sticking out of ground around south parking lot
‐Remove prairie planting behind Field #1, along first base side, and return to open turf
Moorland Park Assessment – 9/22/15
Present: ComDev Director Jeff Muenkel, Public Works Director David Simpson, Recreation Manager
Tammy Dunn, & City Conservationist Tom Zagar
2011‐2016 Plan Recommendations
1. Potential for Skateboard Park to move to another location (Never considered during planning
period)
2. Potential to sell buildable acreage of Moorland Park (Never considered during planning period)
3. Landscaping around parking area, playground, sand volleyball, basketball court exploration,
shelter w/bathrooms (All never considered during planning period)
4. Spray ground (Never considered during planning period, but need for spray ground discussed
during planning period)
5. Fieldhouse with gym space exploration (Not considered during planning period; need not there)
Observations
USE: Large park with turf area to east and west, large parking lot centrally located next to skatepark and
2‐5 yr old/5‐12 yr old playgrounds.
‐Signage: Main signage on SW corner of Sandalwood and Moorland is old wood sign that requires
maintenance. Small sign at entrance to parking lot. Skatepark signage beat up and missing wording.
“Inpro Skatepark” sign in good condition. No signage noting trails around park or park amenities.
‐Woodchips uneven throughout playground.
‐Playground access from parking lot via woodchips, not hard surface. Parking lot has no hasnarks where
access is to playground.
‐Dumpster and port‐a‐potty good here. Enclosure for porta‐a‐potty weakening/ADA ramp off. Enclosure
for dumpster needs doors.
‐Cameras not functioning anymore.
‐Landscaping around park minimal
‐Frontage of Sandalwood deteriorated with miscellaneous prairie plantings; prairie failing in those
locations anyway.
‐Connect trail from Candlewood Creek Subdivision and nature area from the south better to the main
parking lot area of Moorland Park (currently goes out to Moorland Road); consider more loops in
conservation area, connection to pond to the south. Possible to stock pond ourselves with fish and have
fish rec program at this location.
‐Good location to expand park amenities including sand volleyball, rentable pavilion
(bathrooms/electric).
‐Cleanup tree line in back of playground and skate park could use clean‐up/out
‐Senior contingent in area; focus on senior sports may be good.
Rec Club Discussion Observations:
‐Open turf area mainly used for Kickers soccer for both games and practices. Mainly use east portion.
‐Turf at Moorland spotty and hard. Could use re‐dressing.
Recommendations (* denotes cost‐share possibility; ^ denotes volunteer project possibility)
Core Recommendations:
‐Consider 2011‐2016 plan recommendations for site:
1. Potential for Skateboard Park to move to another location (Not found as needed in 2017
planning period)
2. Potential to sell buildable acreage of Moorland Park (Not found as needed in 2017 planning
period as site is good for future of soccer program and other city park/rec amenities)
3. Landscaping around parking area, playground, sand volleyball, basketball court exploration,
shelter w/bathrooms (All part of 2017 planning recommendations below)
4. Spray ground (Better locations might now exist in future such as Veterans Park or Idle Isle Park)
5. Fieldhouse with gym space exploration (Not found as needed in 2017 planning period or distant
future)
‐Replace main park sign (low maintenance signage that is consistent throughout all parks).
‐Add updated overall signage plan for park denoting rules and regs
‐Add trail sign system
‐Add sand volleyball court and/or basketball here.
‐Add rentable pavilion with bathrooms/electric.
‐Add hard surface access from parking lot to playground; stripe parking lot where access to playground
is for safety instead of having parked cars there.
‐Update camera system if needed
‐*Possibility to add rubber base at least under swing system. Would help with ADA. Cost? Grant
possibility.
‐*Re‐dress open turf areas to make facility more utilized for soccer in future (Kickers help).
‐*Re‐grade/seed the mounded prairie plantings along Sandalwood frontage, to west of park, would
open up more turf area and expand soccer possibilities.
‐*Create landscape plan for park. Urban forestry grants?
‐*Consider location for Pickleball/Bocce here due to senior contingent in area.
‐Update trail system with signed connections to Candlewood Creek Subdivision and other nature areas
to the south (more loops, etc.). Consider stocking storm pond to south with fish and have fish rec
program at this location in future (small pier).
Maintenance Recommendations:
‐Redistribute the woodchips in the playground here to keep even
‐Mow out the prairie plantings along the frontage of Sandalwood. Improve aesthetics and safety.
‐*Re‐grade/seed the mounded prairie plantings along Sandalwood to west of park would open up more
turf area and expand soccer possibilities.
‐Maintain porta‐a‐potty enclosure; hookup ADA ramp
‐Add enclosure doors for dumpster area.
‐Cleanup tree line in back of playground and skate park
Horn Park Assessment – 9/23/15
Present: ComDev Director Jeff Muenkel, Public Works Director David Simpson, Recreation Manager
Tammy Dunn, & City Conservationist Tom Zagar
2011‐2016 Plan Recommendations: Replace roof, research building life efficiency at Horn (Half of Horn
building razed and reduced to storage as of late 2015)
Observations
USE: Large baseball field with many amenities including fencing, bleachers, bullpens, and netting.
Storage structures with concessions and bathrooms. Playground and swings. Conservation trails
surrounding.
‐Overall signage and path system signage should be better found throughout Veterans Park to
Settlement to Horn (Map boards, QR Codes, etc.)
‐Main signage along Pioneer Drive is old wood sign that requires maintenance
‐Fence dividing parking lot on south side now; used to be used for Safety City.
‐Concrete approach from old Horn structure unneeded.
‐Overhanging limb of tree along playground a safety concern.
‐Opportunity for more trails cut in woods south of park building.
‐Dumpster here unneeded.
‐Batting cage along left field line and bullpen along right field line in rough shape.
‐Homerun fence cleanup needed.
‐Bleachers in odd locations.
Rec Club Discussion Observations:
‐Various Baseball clubs (Rebels/Avalanche) use Horn for practices and/or games from April‐October
‐Lighting here could open up more opportunities in future.
‐Poor left field drainage
‐Better maintenance of bullpens/hitting cage
‐Bring scoreboard back to life
Recommendations (* denotes cost‐share possibility; ^ denotes volunteer project possibility)
Core Recommendations:
‐Replace main park sign (low maintenance signage that is consistent throughout all parks)
‐Add overall interpretive and path system signage throughout Veterans Park to Settlement to Horn (Map
boards, QR Codes, etc.)
‐^Cut new trails south of storage structure and throughout forest area. Cut thru fence.
‐*^Cleanup batting cage along left field line and bullpen along right field line.
‐New homerun fence a possible need in future.
‐Determine if lighting is needed here for better programming efficiency in future.
Maintenance Recommendations:
‐Remove fence dividing parking lot; re‐line parking lot to increase parking for area.
‐Remove concrete approach to old Horn building.
‐Remove tree, or limb of tree, over playground for safety OR consider moving playground to more
desirable location.
‐Remove dumpster at this location.
‐Remove growth along fence lines.
‐Move bleachers to appropriate locations
‐Fix scoreboard
‐Fix drainage issue in left field.
Veterans Park Assessment – 9/23/15
Present: ComDev Director Jeff Muenkel, Public Works Director David Simpson, Recreation Manager
Tammy Dunn, & City Conservationist Tom Zagar
2011‐2016 Plan Recommendations: None
Observations
USE: Large park with pavilion, playground, open turf, and conservation related trails. Used heavily by
resident and for summer rec programming.
‐Overall signage and path system signage should be better found throughout Veterans Park to
Settlement to Horn (Map boards, QR Codes, etc.)
‐Landscape bed in Vets area to west in rough shape.
‐Mulch areas around mature trees weedy and maintenance issue.
‐Turf around pavilion/playground has issues.
‐Pavilion needs repainting and replacing of various boards.
‐Storage area directly adjacent to under covering in pavilion is currently under‐utilized by City Parks
system as it is currently utilized by Lion’s Club for storage of annual MuskegoFest.
‐Large turf area found in middle of park that is underutilized. Mainly due to festival scheduled for last
weekend in August of each year.
‐Bird (Swallow) problem under pavilion.
‐Grill by pavilion could use replacement.
‐Playground in good shape. Need of some minor repairs or re‐coatings in future.
‐More shade around playground needed.
‐More recreational opportunities could be found in park to benefit everyday users as well as summer rec
program.
‐Boardwalk in central woods is aging; future repairs required.
Rec Club Discussion Observations:
‐Summer Rec Program utilizes pavilion and lands all summer months.
‐No use of large turf area by club programs.
Recommendations (* denotes cost‐share possibility; ^ denotes volunteer project possibility)
Core Recommendations:
‐Add overall interpretive and path system signage throughout Veterans Park to Settlement to Horn (Map
boards, QR Codes, etc.)
‐^*Determine new landscape plan for donated landscaped raised bed area west Vets Park. Missing
bench here, update raised landscape bed, has former fountain thus a chance to add another water
feature; Woman’s club was help in past here and may be future maintainer?
‐Find alternative for Lion’s Club MuskegoFest materials so storage area can be used by rec programs for
increased safety/efficiency of program.
‐Determine how turf area could fulfill rec needs in community yet fit around fair schedule.
‐Replace lights in pavilion to avoid bird nesting problem. NOTE: Barn swallows, while not endangered,
are a protected species. We may legally remove nests but cannot if eggs are already laid.
‐Buy and install new grill next to pavilion.
‐Add more shade trees around playground or add shade structures (playground is built to allow such
structures from manufacturer).
‐More recreational opportunities could be found in park to benefit everyday users as well as summer rec
program. Examples would be Tetherball, Basketball half court (currently use temp hoop), sand
volleyball, and/or sprayground.
Maintenance Recommendations:
‐Replace mulch rings around mature trees in park with turf. Protect trunks of trees with material if
needed.
‐Re‐seed turf areas around pavilion/playground.
‐Repaint pavilion and replace soffit boards as needed (consistent color with rest of parks); Repaint doors
that are currently white a darker color.
‐Replace deck boards on boardwalk as needed.
Settlement Centre Assessment – 9/23/15
Present: ComDev Director Jeff Muenkel, Public Works Director David Simpson, Recreation Manager
Tammy Dunn, & City Conservationist Tom Zagar
2011‐2016 Plan Recommendations: Landscape Settlement building site (complete ‐ needs maintenance)
Observations
USE: Lands with Historical Society buildings upon them. Large Old Town Hall building used for rec
programming and Historical Society Museum in basement.
‐Main Settlement sign requires maintenance and not maintained well as of now
‐Overall signage and path system signage should be better found throughout Veterans Park to
Settlement to Horn (Map boards, QR Codes, etc.)
‐Structural repairs needed for various Historical Society buildings.
‐Old barn in woods could be great asset once open for business in future.
‐Landscaping around Old Town Hall in need of care. Could add more trees in areas.
‐Less mowing could be done in some areas.
‐Summer Rec program heavy use at this location. Permanent basketball hoop need here.
‐Old Town Hall: Used for rec programming and requires maintenance inside/outside. Aging building.
‐Dumpster required at this location; 4x4 extensions on enclosure still showing though.
‐More paths could be found in the beautiful woods east of Settlement.
Rec Club Discussion Observations:
‐None
Recommendations (* denotes cost‐share possibility; ^ denotes volunteer project possibility)
Core Recommendations:
‐*Consider adding low maintenance main sign for Settlement in future.
‐Add overall interpretive and path system signage throughout Veterans Park to Settlement to Horn (Map
boards, QR Codes, etc.)
‐*Identify structural repairs needed for various Historical Society buildings yearly and cost share where
possible.
‐ Make old barn area in forest an amenity for future. Once barn is allowed full accessibility it can be used
for future rec events and/or public rental. Very unique amenity. Parking may be issue to overcome.
‐Add permanent basketball hoop by or in parking lot here for summer rec program.
‐^Extend more paths in woods east of Settlement area connecting to Horn Field.
‐Old Town Hall: Add features to building to possibly be used for future various dance/gymnastics
programs (mirrors).
Maintenance Recommendations:
‐Landscaping around Old Town Hall in need of care. Consider new overall plan for landscaping around
Old Town Hall. Need for foundation plantings on west side? Add less landscaping and have stone base
around ADA access on northeast side of building (add turf instead on slope)?
‐^Add more trees east of parking lot between dumpster and garden.
‐Identify more no‐mow areas. East of parking lot one of these areas.
‐Remove 4x4 extensions on dumpster enclosure.
‐Continue yearly Old Town Hall maintenance.
Muskego Centre Park Assessment – 10/27/15
Present: ComDev Director Jeff Muenkel
2011‐2016 Plan Recommendations: None
Observations
USE: Sitting park along Pioneer Drive that abuts Pilak Creek
‐Clean and well maintained.
‐Overgrowth along creek bed. Bench overlooking creek can’t even view creek.
Recommendations (* denotes cost‐share possibility; ^ denotes volunteer project possibility)
Core Recommendations:
‐None
Maintenance Recommendations:
‐Remove vegetation/stumps along whole shoreline
CITY OF MUSKEGO
Staff Report to Parks & Conservation Committee
January 6, 2016 Meeting
To: Parks and Conservation Committee
From: Jeff Muenkel, AICP EDFP
Subject: Aster Hills Estates Neighborhood Park Name
Date: December 23, 2015
Commissioner Hulbert was going to research a bit more on Luther Parker history before we made our final
decision on the park name. Below is the data from the past meeting presented.
At our last meeting we discussed the future name for the Aster Hills Estates Subdivision neighborhood park area. We were able to
narrow down the name to either Sandhill or in honor of Luther Parker. The Committee first requested a bit of background on Luther
Parker before officially making a motion. Below is the background info on Luther Park as well as the Sandhill information from
our past meeting.
There is a group that is still in existence today named the Sandhill Booster Club that gives back to less fortunate people.
The group was formed in 1956 by a group of farmers who happened to include the “Schaefer” farmers that owned the
Aster Hills land. As a matter of fact, the name “sandhill” for the booster club came when one of the farmers looked up at
his hill of farmland close by and thought of sandhill due to the farmland being so flush with natural sand. This “sand hill”
they were looking at happens to be the same land Aster Hills Estates sits today.
Luther Park History: Luther Parker, son of Joshua &
Polly (Taylor) Parker was born 18 Dec 1800 in Temple
NH. He died 15 June 1853 in Waukesha County,
Wisconsin. He received his early education in the
common school at Temple NH. About 1816 he learned
the shoemaker's trade at Stoneham MA. He returned to
Temple and attended the New Ipswich Academy.
Completing his studies there, he taught district school
in Albany, New York.
In 1825 and 1826 he taught school in Stratford NH in
Coos County NH. Here he met and married 1st) 18 Feb
1827 to Alletta "Lettie" French, a student in the
Stratford school where Luther taught, and one of ten
children of Thomas Giles French of Brunswick VT. She was b. 11 June 1803, and d. August 1849 of typhoid fever in
Wisconsin. She was buried in the Durham Hill cemetery, south of the Parker estate.
Soon after they married, they settled in what was then known as the Indian Stream Republic. (Aletta French was a
descendant of John French of Essex County England and Dorchester & Braintree MA.) Luther probably ran a small store
from his residence in Indian Stream Republic. He was one of the framers of the Indian Stream Constitution, and preferred
New Hampshire allegiance to that of Canada.
In June of 1835 he was arrested by the Canadian authorities, which increased the tensions between New Hampshire and
Canada. In 1836 he drove a team of animals from the Indian Stream Republic to the shores of Lake Michigan when he
moved to Wisconsin and settled with his family in Muskego. In 1845 Luther was chosen a member of the territorial
legislature of Wisconsin representing part of Milwaukee County. In October 1846 he served as a grand juror in Waukesha
County. He was a Democrat, then a member of the Free Soil party.
In 1851 he was elected a member of the county board from Muskego. In April 1850, Luther Parker married 2nd) Susan G.
Goodman. Luther and Alletta Parker are buried together with the tombstone reading: "LUTHER PARKER died June 15,
1853, Aged 58 years. What thou art, I was. What I am, thou soon wilt be."
Also his wife ALLETTA died August 26, 1849, Aged 47 years. Those who knew her best loved her most."
-New 10’ high fencing
Page 1 of 2
CITY OF MUSKEGO
Staff Report to Parks and Conservation Committee
To: Parks and Conservation Committee
From: David Simpson, P.E., Director of Public Works/City Engineer
Subject: Director of Public Works Report
Date: December 29, 2015
I have included general information and project specific updates related to Parks
maintenance for your use. Should any questions arise please don’t hesitate to
contact me directly.
Maintenance Items
Fox Services LLC has completed Lawn Mowing and Grounds Maintenance
for the contracted parks and certain facilities for 2015. We have not had any
resident concerns and are waiting for a cost for 2016.
Vandalism occurred at Park Arthur on December 26 th when a motorist
drove onto the turf area near the archery range in order to cause damage.
The police department apprehended the individual and we have filed a
restitution form for $4,005, which is our estimated cost to make the repairs
this Spring.
Facilities
Horn Park Building- Demolition of the oldest portion of this building is
complete. The new wall is up and the plumbing and electrical will be
completed shortly. The DPW will paint the building this Spring.
2015 Park Improvements
Denoon Park- All roadways, parking lots, and the basketball court have been
resurfaced in conjunction with the 2015 road program.
Park Arthur- A paved pathway leading from the north parking lot to the
three northern baseball fields and back to the pavilion has been completed.
Concrete pads have been completed and DPW staff has graded the area
between the fields to allow proper drainage and will complete restoration in
the spring. We have also installed crushed granite stone behind the backstop
fencing on the three small fields.
Bluhm Park- The Developer of Belle Chasse Subdivision has completed the
boardwalk improvement, Rugby field and walkway from Durham Drive to
the Park. The field will likely be ready for play no earlier than the fall of
2016 or spring of 2017.
WE Energies Trail Improvement- The City retained all asphalt millings as
part of the 2014 and 2015 road improvement programs in order to utilize
them to construct and repair gravel recreational pathways with a very low
material cost. We have utilized all available materials and have constructed
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the pathway from the western border of the City to Lannon Drive. We will
continue placement in future years as more material becomes available. I
did receive one complaint regarding the material not compacting well enough
for bike riding. We have since had the company that crushed the material
for us crush the material into smaller size aggregate so that the material will
compact better we will overlay a 2” layer on the larger stone, hopefully in the
Spring of 2016.
Memo
To: Parks and Conservation Committee
From: Tom Zagar
CC: Jeff Muenkel
Date: December 29, 2015
Re: Conservation Coordinator Report
The following is an update of projects related to Lakes, Forestry, and Conservation:
As part of the Aster Hills Subdivision developers agreement Towne Realty has dedicated a 49-acre parcel to
the City. The site is located northeast of Big Muskego Lake on the west side of Durham Drive (see map). A
conservation easement encumbers this property which was originally preserved in the platting of Big Muskego
Estates over a decade ago. Staff met with a US Fish & Wildlife representative who was very interested in
providing grant assistance toward an ecological restoration project. This would likely include conversion of
tilled agricultural land to native prairie, tree plantings, and
a small wetland restoration.
The preservation and restoration of “satellite” conservation
lands around the lake - like the Durham Drive site above,
the Aster Hills conservation dedication, Big Muskego Lake
State Wildlife Area lands, and MMSD conservation land
serve to further enhance the habitat value of Big Muskego
Lake - our community’s greatest conservation asset!
Muskego was awarded a $1,750 grant from ATC for tree
planting in 2016. This will likely be used to fund the Eagle Scout project of Nick Buske who will be planting
trees at Denoon Park. Denoon Park has a disproportionate amount of green ash trees and with the spread of
Emerald Ash Borer it is important to establish a variety of other tree species.
Another Eagle Scout candidate, Nick Johnson, is planning to construct a footbridge across the stream on a
hiking trail at Badertscher Preserve. I am very thankful that scouts offer these public service projects – the
investment of some time in their guidance has helped accomplish many wonderful projects for the community!
A contractor was hired to clear the profuse growth invasive buckthorn at Denoon Park with a forestry mower
(see attached map). A follow up herbicide spraying will be conducted next summer.
Community Development Department
Trumpeter swans on Big Muskego Lake
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