Evergreen Park Mountain Bike proposal moves forward
Citizens packed the Common Council Chambers to voice their opinion
SHEBOYGAN — After months of delay, the Mountain Bike proposal for Evergreen Park is moving forward after the Public Works Committee voted to approve it.
Citizens packed the Common Council Chambers at City Hall on Monday night to voice their opinion on the proposal from Sheboygan County Cycling (SCC). Known as Resolution 156-24-25, the Public Works Committee previously voted in favor of the plan. When it went for a final vote in March, the Common Council voted to hold the resolution to allow for more public input.
Joe Kerlin, Superintendent of Parks and Forestry, recommended the committee approve the Evergreen Park Trail Improvement Proposal. “A vote to recommend the approval of the Trail Improvement Proposal is a vote to improve the trails for all users,” said Kerlin. “SCC is the only registered friends of Evergreen Park and they are the only group working to improve the trails in the park.”
Save Evergreen Park signs have popped up in front yards across the City of Sheboygan as well as the Town of Sheboygan and even Kohler. Some citizens have expressed concerns with how the mountain bike paths would affect nature and the park environment. One citizen who spoke at the meeting said Evergreen Park is mismanaged and that the city needs a partner to help manage the park. Kerlin has stated SCC has been the only group to step up to volunteer to maintain the existing trails within the park.
“We believe that what you see today, will be what the community wants,” said Nathanial Darling, founder of SCC. “We will prioritize user safety on trails with education at trailheads with signage.” One of the most obvious shortcomings of the Evergreen Park trail network, as identified in the 2021 Evergreen Park Concept Plan, is a lack of clear signage and wayfinding throughout the tightly packed, complex network of trails that span Evergreen, Maywood, and Quarry parks.
The Public Works Committee voted unanimously to approve the proposal and now it will be sent to the Common Council for final approval.
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