Tim Ryan, tryan@shawanoleader.com
Shawano officials this week approved the purchase of another property along the future Wolf River Sturgeon Trail.
The trail will eventually link Sturgeon Park and Kuckuk Park. The city has been purchasing properties for the trail, which would run along the Wolf River, as they have become available for about 10 years.
The trail is part of a long-range plan that could take years to complete, according to the city.
The Common Council voted 5-1 Wednesday to purchase the property at 1129 S. Water St. at a cost of $162,500. The amount was arrived at by splitting the difference of two appraisals on the property.
The city will apply for a Department of Natural Resources grant to help pay the cost.
Alderperson Sandy Steinke cast the sole no vote.
The city will continue to rent out the property, City Administrator Brian Knapp said.
“Until we have all the properties that we’d like to have available to us, it’s going to be difficult to plan for any significant development” of the trail, he said.
However, Knapp said, “we’re looking forward to being able to start planning for what should be a very nice amenity for the city.”
The purchase will still leave five properties needed to complete the trail between the two parks.
The city is also open to getting easements from other properties along the Wolf River for the trail, which wouldn’t require purchasing the entire properties. Much of the waterfront along those properties is wooded and apparently unused by the property owners.