Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan December 2018 Community Planning & Consulting, LLC Appleton, Wisconsin www.communitypalnningandconsulting.com Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Acknowledgements Town Board Wayne Johnson, Chairman Bob Radder, Supervisor Bob Baurhyte, Supervisor Jerry Wiessinger, Supervisor John Haugen, Supervisor Ad Hoc Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Steering Committee Bill Kappel, Chairman Michael Keiser Lori Djumadi Paul Pisellini Patrick Gatterman Jill Reese Brian Giese Bill Scapin Kathy Halverson Town Staff Jami Gebert, Town Administrator Michael Miller, Former Town Administrator Greg Broniec, Zoning Administrator Jon Sonnenberg, Superintendent of Highways & Public Works Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Page intentionally left blank Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Table of Contents Introduction Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan ................................................................................. 1 General Overview........................................................................................................................ 1 Wisconsin Outdoor Recreation Trends ...................................................................................... 2 Background Town of Rome Comprehensive Plan .......................................................................................... 4 Adams County Outdoor Recreation Plan ................................................................................... 5 Community Engagement Park & Recreation Survey ........................................................................................................... 6 CORP Kick-off & Visioning Session ............................................................................................ 9 Visual Preference Survey .......................................................................................................... 12 Stakeholder Engagement Session ............................................................................................ 22 First Draft Presentation ............................................................................................................ 22 Public Hearing ........................................................................................................................... 22 Adoption .................................................................................................................................... 22 Goals & Objectives Goal #1: Build a healthier, happier, more vibrant community................................................. 23 Goal #2: Preserve, protect, maintain, improve, and enhance natural resources, parkland, and recreational opportunities ...................................................................................................... 23 Goal #3: Ensure that parks, recreation facilities, and other public spaces provide access for all residents .................................................................................................................................. 23 Goal #4: Ensure that new development projects include adequate park and recreation facilities ................................................................................................................................................. 24 Goal #5: Develop a year-round park and recreation system embraced by the community .... 24 Goal #6: Continually evaluate outdoor recreation levels of service ........................................ 24 Population Profile i Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan General ...................................................................................................................................... 25 Year-round vs. Seasonal Population ......................................................................................... 25 General Population Characteristics .......................................................................................... 27 Population by Age Groups ........................................................................................................ 27 Landscape Profile Physiography & Topography ..................................................................................................... 29 Geology ...................................................................................................................................... 29 Soils ............................................................................................................................................ 31 Surface Waters ........................................................................................................................... 32 Groundwater .............................................................................................................................. 32 Woodlands ................................................................................................................................. 33 Endangered Resources............................................................................................................... 33 Park & Open Space Standards Assessment Methods ................................................................................................................ 35 Accessibility ............................................................................................................................... 37 Inventory of Parks & Recreation Facilities Town of Rome Facilities ............................................................................................................. 38 Trails........................................................................................................................................... 39 Boat Launches ........................................................................................................................... 39 Adams County Facilities ............................................................................................................ 40 Nekoosa School District Facilities ............................................................................................. 41 Non-Profit Facilities .................................................................................................................. 41 Privately Owned Facilities ......................................................................................................... 42 Golf Courses .............................................................................................................................. 44 Nearby Parks & Recreation Facilities........................................................................................ 46 Wisconsin Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Areas of Emphasis ..................................................................................................................... 47 Projected Trends ....................................................................................................................... 47 ii Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan SCORP Outdoor Recreation Goals .......................................................................................... 48 Needs Assessment Assessing Park & Recreation Needs and Demand .................................................................. 50 NRPA & WSCORP Standards vs. Town of Rome Park Acreage ............................................. 50 Park & Recreation Recommendations ‘Splash Pad’ Park ....................................................................................................................... 51 Walden Park .............................................................................................................................. 51 Pedestrian & Bicycle Facilities .................................................................................................. 51 Motorized Trail System ............................................................................................................. 53 Greenways ................................................................................................................................. 53 General Recommendations....................................................................................................... 53 Cost Estimates General ...................................................................................................................................... 56 Splash Pad Park ......................................................................................................................... 57 iii Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Funding Options Park Impact Fees ....................................................................................................................... 58 User Fees ................................................................................................................................... 58 WDNR Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Programs..................................................................... 58 WDNR Recreational Trails Program ........................................................................................ 59 WDNR Land & Water Conservation Fund .............................................................................. 59 WDNR Urban Forestry Grant .................................................................................................. 59 WDNR Lake Management Grants ........................................................................................... 60 WDNR Recreational Boating Facilities Grants .......................................................................