After the Lake Park: Revised Plan Puts Focus Back on Moorland, Idle Isle

With the , parks already in Muskego may see additional features, according to the revised parks and conservation plan presented Tuesday night to the Common Council.

No decisions were made during a presentation from Park and Recreation Director Craig Anderson and Conservation Coordinator Tom Zagar, but they outlined the possibilities that remain in the plan, which spans the next five years (2012-2016).

Among the features of the plan:

• Revised focus on features, including the addition of basketball courts, sand volleyball, and a water spray grounds. Anderson said the water feature is far less expensive to maintain than a pool and has proved a popular attraction in other parks outside of the area.

• Continued exploration of cost-sharing between the parks and outside users, like baseball clubs and leagues, to help fund new buildings and grounds at the parks.

• Expansion of the beach at : Anderson said the matter has been brought up before and has existed in the parks plan, but would require further research. Additional space for parking may be required, but would mean less green space on the seven-acre island, he explained.

• Dog parks are also a subject of interest, and Anderson said the plan will include their consideration in future developments, as well as with neighboring municipalities to allow Muskego a share in their use.

• will continue to see features placed in its plans, including an archery range (with the assistance of the Muskego Kiwanis Club providing targets), horseback riding trails, and potentially an ice rink.

Anderson also advised the council that revenue from the park dedication fund was dwindling, as it has been tied to development. With the economy all but halting new development, the funds have been severely depleted, and he hinted that a higher percentage from the department's other main source of funding, the landfill fund, be available for the parks development.

Presently parks and conservation receives 10 percent from the landfill funds. Within the parks over the last 11 years, $3.79 million has been spent from its various funding sources, Anderson explained. He said increased dollars from the landfill funds - "and any other sources that the council would deem appropriate" - would help to help bring parks online more quickly without using additional direct taxpayer dollars.