Shorewood is experiencing a 2+ decades decline in its natural spaces, trails and woodlands. Invasive species litter our parks. Trails need critical repairs and the growing number of dead or diseased trees desperately need removal.
The blame falls on city leaders, from the top down. The Park Commission is the step-child of the City Council when it comes to establishing priorities, planning and creating community standards. Let’s face it, the Park Commission has no authority as our irresponsible elected City Council members won’t provide vision, direction or even request their input! Recent examples:
- The City Council recently approved spraying all soccer fields with dangerous chemicals six times this year, without involving the Park Commission in the discussion. This is in direct violation of the city’s own IPM (Integrated Pest Management) doctrine adopted in 2023.
- The new Park and Rec Manager tried to sneak in an approval on the consent agenda for baseball teams to have amplified music at Freeman Park for tournaments, games and practices, without input from the Park Commission. Fortunately, residents were watching! Not to mention, no enforcement plan was ever presented!
With an annual park budget of $477,000 how do we NOT HAVE A PLAN for our natural spaces?
- Removing and replacing dead or diseased trees
- Rebuilding and setting standards for walking trails
- Work toward gaining control of invasive species (ex: buckthorn) and noxious plants
- Planting native plants to outcompete (smother) other invasive plants
- Clearing the snow or removing debris from trails for safe all-season use
The City Council needs to get in the game and stop the lip service. City Council must provide direction to staff and park commissioners and must value the parks and trails as community assets.
- Residents must be invited to give input and participate in priorities.
- Park Commissioners must be able to interact directly with both the Public Works Director and Parks Manager to expand the focus on tree management and replacement, and Invasive Pest Management in the parks and other public spaces.
- City Council should hold joint sessions open to the public with the Planning and Parks Commissions and staff members, and all meetings must be made available through Zoom.
- City Administration must start measuring the success of these programs in alignment with Shorewood’s Mission Statement (below).
This was a tough article to write and for some maybe a tough article to read. The truth has a way of spreading daylight and sometimes helps people understand their personal shortcomings.
With an election just a few months away and the 2025 budgeting process in full view, we will have a front row seat to aid this administration’s ability to make the best decisions for We The People and embrace the priorities of what citizens expect for these public amenities.
MISSION STATEMENT: The City of Shorewood is committed to providing residents quality public services, a healthy environment, a variety of attractive amenities, a sustainable taxbase, and sound financial management through effective, efficient, and visionary leadership.
