FYI

You may see earth moving equipment on the southwest side of the large fenced in area in the near future. The area has been determined to be the best location to re-grade and reshape the land to make up for displaced excess holding capacity due to substation expansion. This is required in order to comply with a Wisconsin DNR regulations. This area will not be filled with water, but would provide additional holding capacity in the event of a major flood. After regrading the area will provide much more open space for the dogs to run. The entire area will remain usable except while work is being done. Those that have been to the park know this area contains large mounds with trees, very sandy soil, and many weeds. This was the result of sand and dirt 'fill' being dumped many years ago. The unnatural hills will be removed, the sandy berms leveled, and brushy-wooded areas removed. The area will then be reseeded and we are working on having some well-established trees replanted in the area.

The City had originally planned on eventually having to dredge the sediment from the pond (Nothing new here; It has always been a cyclical, required maintenance event scheduled about once every 20yrs) to add additional holding capacity, and to better regulate the ebb & flow of water levels from season to season. The dog park group wanted to work to restore some of the native wetland plants in the same fashion we have done with the native prairies out to Crossridge Park. This pond serves as a playground for waterfowl, amphibians, wetland plants, believe it or not fish in the past, and now dogs. As the holding area accumulated sediment, the pond began to take on a shallow dish shape as opposed to the deep bowl it started out as. The water began covering a larger area. When heavy rains came it did not appear to rise as fast as it would appear if it were more concentrated in a deep bowl. Due to the larger surface area exposed to the sun, the water would dry up much faster than if allowed to simply filter back into the ground, hence the pond would dry up in pronounced dry spells. Now, the average water footprint consumes about 3 acres, but in the past few years it has been in the range of 3-5 acres much of the time. Currently, it is maybe 1.5 acres with more than 1/2 of that resembling more of a marsh. In recent times of drought, it dries up completely (great time to dredge!).

Due to the increase in size and regulations, the Wisconsin DNR has determined the area around the pond with it's wetland characteristics to now qualify as a "wetland" by definition. What does that matter? It makes dredging nearly impossible. Permits, processes, studies, and time all make for a financial burden that is beyond the scope of a small town like Milton. Milton still must meet the DNR's strict storm water filtration and capacity requirement for excess water, should there ever been a flooding event exceeding the ponds holding ability. They just can not do that inside the area determined to be the "wetland" (approx. area marked by thin, pale yellow diagonal stripes).

Now you know what the wood stake with pink tape are for and what is going on when you see the land-shaping begin. The entire area will remain usable unless you see it marked off or signs posted. With the exception to the dogs that enjoy the large mounds, most other dogs & owners will enjoy be more open area to let your dogs run! Any questions can be sent to the Milton City Administrator or to the Committee Chairman at miltondogpark@yahoo.com

THE AREA TRACED IN A THICK YELLOW LINE ON THE BOTTOM LEFT(SOUTHWEST)CORNER IS THE AREA YOU MAY SEE EQUIPMENT. IF THE PARK IS UNABLE TO BE USED THERE WILL BE A SIGN SAYING AS MUCH AT THE FRONT GATE. THIS IS UNLIKELY, BUT SHOULD THERE BE A NEED WE WILL LET YOU KNOW. I WILL ALSO POST ON HERE ANY CLOSING SO CHECK BACK OFTEN.