WinnebagoTown of Dayton County ComprehensiveComprehensive OutdoorOutdoor RecreationRecreation PlanPlan 2018 - 2022 2019- 2023 WINNEBAGO COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE OUTDOOR RECREATION PLAN 2019-2023 Recommended March 18, 2019 by Park and Recreation Committee Adopted April 16, 2019 by County Board Prepared by the Park and Recreation Committee and the East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission Trish Nau, Principal Recreation Planner EAST CENTRAL WISCONSIN REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION Martin Farrell, Chair Jeff Nooyen, Vice-Chair Eric Fowle, Secretary-Treasurer COMMISSION MEMBERS CALUMET COUNTY SHAWANO COUNTY Alice Connors Jerry Erdmann, Chair Hope Karth Thomas Kautza Merlin Gentz Chuck Dallas Rick Jaeckels WAUPACA COUNTY FOND DU LAC COUNTY Dick Koeppen Allen Buechel James Nygaard Martin Farrell Brian Smith Brenda Schneider DuWayne Federwitz Karyn Merkel (Joseph Moore, Alt.) WAUSHARA COUNTY Charles Hornung Donna Kalata MENOMINEE COUNTY Larry Timm Neal Strehlow Ruth Winter Elizabeth Moses WINNEBAGO COUNTY (Jeremy Johnson, Alt.) James Lowey Mark Harris Shiloh Ramos OUTAGAMIE COUNTY (David Albrecht, Alt.) Ernie Bellin Thomas Nelson Steve Cummings Daniel Rettler Ken Robl Timothy Hanna Robert Schmeichel Jeff Nooyen Michael Thomas EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS Kevin Sturn Jill Michaelson, WisDOT Ronald McDonald, Valley Transit ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The preparation of Winnebago County’s Comprehensive Outdoor and Recreation Plan 2019- 2023 was formulated by the Park and Recreation Committee with assistance from the East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission. COUNTY GOVERNMENT The Park and Recreation Committee is composed of five members and meets approximately once a month. The Committee works on planning parks, recreational, and trail improvements within the county boundaries. 2018-19 WINNEBAGO COUNTY BOARD Thomas J. Konetzke, District 1 Michael A. Brunn, District 2 Thomas Borchart, District 3 Paul Eisen, District 4 Shiloh J. Ramos, District 5 Brian Defferding, District 6 Steven Lenz, District 7 Lawrence W. Smith, District 8 Timothy E. Hogan, District 9 Stephanie J. Spellman, District 10 David Albrecht, District 11 Maribeth Gabert, District 12 Steven Binder, District 13 Jesse Wallin, District 14 Vicki S. Schorse, District 15 Aaron Wojciechowski, District 16 Julie A. Gordan, District 17 Bill Wingren, District 18 Larry Lautenschlager, District 19 Michael Norton, District 20 Robert J. Warnke, District 21 Kenneth Robl, District 22 Harold Singstock, District 23 Andy Buck, District 24 Karen D. Powers, District 25 Susan Locke, District 26 Jim Wise, District 27 Jerry Finch, District 28 Rachel A. Youngquist, District 29 Chuck Farrey, District 30 Joel Rasmussen, District 31 Robert (Rob) Keller, District 32 Thomas J. Egan, District 33 W. Thomas Ellis, District 34 Ton Snider, District 35 Ben Joas, District 36 2018-19 PARK AND RECREATION COMMITTEE Jerry Finch, Chair, District 28 Thomas J. Konetzke, Vice Chair, District 1 Michael Norton, Secretary, District 20 Steven Binder, District 13 Larry Lautenschlager, District 19 Committee staff support provided by: Robert Way, Park and Rec Director Vicky Redlin, Program Manager, Sunnyview Exp Center Rick Helms, Expo Maintenance Manager Tom McInnis, Park Manager ABSTRACT TITLE: Winnebago County Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan 2019-2023 CONTACT: Trish Nau, ECWRPC Principal Park & Recreation Planner AUTHORS: Park and Recreation Committee Trish Nau, ECWRPC Principal Planner Robert Way, County Parks Director Vicky Redlin, Expo Program Manager SUBJECT: Winnebago County Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, (CORP) 5-Year update DATE: April 16, 2019 PLANNING AGENCY: East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission SOURCE OF COPIES: East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission 400 Ahnaip Street, Suite 100 Menasha, WI 54952 (920) 751-4770 www.ecwrpc.org The 2019-2023 version of Winnebago County’s Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan seeks to help preserve the natural environment and at the same time allow residents and visitors alike to play, learn, enjoy and live in harmony with it. In addition to setting forth new recommendations based on present needs, the adopted plan will enable the county to once again compete for matching funds available through the Department of Natural Resources’ Stewardship Program if available. Funding components of this program target monies for parkland acquisition and development projects as well as for numerous other projects and activities that preserve, protect and enhance important land and water-based natural assets. Collectively, other grants are available through the WDNR Stewardship Program, Wisconsin Department of Transportation, etc. and have effectively doubled the local funding commitment for acquisition and development of parkland and improvements to other public recreational facilities such as trails. The document also will aid in improvements the parks system and give a guideline to follow. Winnebago County Parks 625 E. County Road Y, Suite 500 Oshkosh, WI 54901 Oshkosh (920) 232-1960 Neenah (920) 727-8641 Website: https://www.co.winnebago.wi.us/parks i ii TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................... 1-1 Background and Topography ............................................................................................... 1-1 History of Recreation Planning ............................................................................................. 1-2 Plan Purpose ....................................................................................................................... 1-3 Scope .................................................................................................................................. 1-3 Planning Process ................................................................................................................. 1-4 Framework for Plan Development ........................................................................................ 1-4 CHAPTER 2: GOALS AND OBJECTIVES .......................................................................... 2-1 Goals and Objectives ........................................................................................................... 2-1 Outdoor Recreation .............................................................................................................. 2-2 Natural and Cultural Resources ........................................................................................... 2-3 Public Participation .............................................................................................................. 2-3 Visioning .............................................................................................................................. 2-4 CHAPTER 3: RECREATIONAL RESOURCES ................................................................... 3-1 Natural Resources ............................................................................................................... 3-1 Existing Recreational Resources ......................................................................................... 3-13 Natural Areas ....................................................................................................................... 3-15 Linear Recreational Facilities ............................................................................................... 3-18 Other Recreational Opportunities and Interest Groups ......................................................... 3-21 CHAPTER 4: RECREATIONAL NEEDS ............................................................................. 4-1 Recreational Needs ............................................................................................................. 4-1 Population and Demographics ............................................................................................. 4-1 Facility Needs ...................................................................................................................... 4-5 Land Needs ......................................................................................................................... 4-6 Jurisdictional Standards ....................................................................................................... 4-7 Locational Needs ................................................................................................................. 4-9 Access Analysis ................................................................................................................... 4-9 Trends ................................................................................................................................. 4-13 CHAPTER 5: HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT .................................................................. 5-1 2018 Winnebago County Health Components and Statistics ................................................. 5-1 Safe Routes to Parks ........................................................................................................... 5-3 The Parks and Health Connection........................................................................................ 5-3 CHAPTER 6: RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................................. 6-1 Natural and Cultural Resources (General) ........................................................................... 6-1 Park and Recreation Maintenance ....................................................................................... 6-2