Tim Ryan, tryan@wolfrivermedia.com
Shawano Park and Recreation Director Matt Hendricks on Wednesday wrapped up his last scheduled presentation ahead of Tuesday’s vote on borrowing for park improvements.
The advisory referendum question will ask residents whether the city should borrow up to $1.85 million for development of the Franklin and Smalley parks and a splash pad to replace the kiddie pool at Memorial Park.
The 20-year loan would mean an estimated annual tax increase of 25 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value, or $25 for a $100,000 home.
Hendricks’s presentation Wednesday was given to about three dozen people at the Civic Center, where attendees seemed most interested in proposed improvements at Franklin Park.
Hendricks said older groups were more focused on Franklin Park, while families with children seem to gravitate more to the splash pad feature.
The city has held four open house meetings, and Hendricks has gone out to a number of community organizations to explain the proposed improvements and the impact it would have on tax bills.
In addition, more than 5,000 people have viewed the department’s postings on social media, according to Hendricks.
“We’re hoping for good turnout,” Hendricks said.
There’s also one Common Council race on the ballot between incumbent Alderman Bob Kurkiewicz and challenger Jessica Van Buren.
The park plan has been getting outside support from several groups that have been pushing for a yes vote with yard signs, flyers and advertising.
None of that is being funded by the city, Hendricks said.
The groups include ThedaCare’s Community Health Action Team, Pathways, Shawano Ski Sharks and the Shawano Farmers Market.
Hendricks said he is not aware of any organized effort pushing for a no vote, but there have been individuals who have expressed opposition to seeing their taxes go up.
“That’s been the one common negative I’ve heard, is the taxes,” he said.
Hendricks said there have been some people who don’t like individual elements of the proposed park improvements, but no consensus on any one piece in particular.
At Franklin Park, the improvements would include an amphitheater for music, movies and community events; public restrooms, and pavilion space available for public rental; a water fountain with benches and trees for visual interest; parking, electrical, landscaping and infrastructure to accommodate community events; walkways, picnic tables and benches; and space for a future playground.
At Smalley Park, plans call for a park pavilion with restroom facilities and a rentable picnic shelter; a canoe and kayak launch; boat landings and boat slips; improved parking, lighting and security; walking trails that connect all of the major park features; trees and other native plantings, including native plantings along the waterway to deter geese; and continued revitalization of the beach and the improvement of beach amenities.
The referendum package would also include replacement of the wading pool at Memorial Park with a splash pad, basically a playground with water features.
The department typically has a capital improvements budget of $250,000 a year, meaning it could take about eight years to accomplish the proposed projects if none of that money were to be spent on any other park improvements, according to the city.
The additional borrowing would allow the improvements to be made within about two years, though the actual work would probably not get underway until next year.
Even if the referendum is approved by voters, it will be up to the Shawano Common Council to approve the borrowing.
If Tuesday’s vote goes overwhelmingly one way or another, the council could take action in April.
If it’s close, Hendricks said, there is likely to be more discussion.