Tim Ryan, tryan@wolfrivermedia.com
Shawano’s Park and Recreation Department is continuing to take public input on development plans for the newly designated Smalley Park, with hopes of having a master plan in place before the end of the year.
There are three conceptual designs for the park, which stretches from Third to Fifth streets along the Wolf River, adjacent to the soon-to-be vacant Shawano Medical Center.
All three options have at least one thing in common.
“Our overall purpose is to create a long-term home for the Shawano Ski Sharks,” park and recreation director Matt Hendricks said, “and balance that with typical park use.”
The park could feature a natural seating area with an “amphitheater-type feel” for Ski Sharks performances, and for other entertainment that might want to use the venue,” Hendricks said.
Walking trails are also proposed, as well as improvements that would make it easier for those with disabilities to access the park and particularly the Ski Sharks shows.
The department is also looking at the possibility of restoring a “more defined” city beach that would be cared for and maintained, Hendricks said.
Other features being considered include a concession building with restrooms and storage, a sheltered picnic table area, and a potential pier or boat slips.
Hendricks said the waterfront at that location does have a problem with geese, but one solution could be a buffer of natural vegetation that would keep the geese away. He said the birds would be scared off by the possibility of natural predators that could be hiding there.
There is no price tag for the proposed designs. The estimates will be nailed down by the time the design options are narrowed down to a master plan.
Hendricks said the plan could be before the Common Council in November or December.
The conceptual designs will be presented during a public meeting at 6 p.m. Sept. 22 at City Hall.
The department will also seek input at the farmers market on Oct. 3.