July 30, 2015
Park Watch believes that before any changes are made to the topography of
McDermott Park it needs to be evaluated by an engineer familiar with extreme
rain events. Residents of the area report that the park was significant in
flood mitigation during the 2008 rain event. Other parks including the
Greenway Arboretum absorbed high amounts of flood waters and helped to
protect homes that are near the many waterways in Fond du Lac. This is a
very important function for Fond du Lac green spaces since the entire
community is built on a marsh. (This statement was created and presented to
Park Watch members before the recent revelation that indeed this park is
important to flood mitigation efforts.)
After the evaluation has been made by a credible and qualified engineer, the
report needs to come back to the City Council for a final vote. It is not
acceptable for an appointed city staff person to have the final decision on
whether or not the changes to the landscaping will go forward. This decision
belongs to elected officials who the citizens are able to hold accountable
in subsequent elections.
Generally Park Watch members believe that our green spaces should be
preserved for all the citizens.
We find creating more baseball diamonds in the city a waste of effort. The
most recent Recreation Plan 2015 to 2020 on page 30 lists the "Recreational
Demand & Needs by Facility - 2013." This list states that the demand for
baseball diamonds is 8 and we have 10 in the City of Fond du Lac; softball
diamond demands are 8 diamonds and we have 11. Also important to note is
that there are two baseball diamonds managed by Fond du Lac Youth Baseball
that are locked and not being used.
Park Watch was founded in 2005. Our Mission Statement is as follows: Park
Watch is a citizen group concerned with preserving and restoring natural
habitat on public lands in the FDL area and improving access to nature
through education and trails. We have a mailing list of over 30 people who
are kept informed of local issues that concern our natural habitat on public
lands.
Laura P. DeGolier
Chairman, Park Watch of Fond du Lac
Park Watch believes that before any changes are made to the topography of
McDermott Park it needs to be evaluated by an engineer familiar with extreme
rain events. Residents of the area report that the park was significant in
flood mitigation during the 2008 rain event. Other parks including the
Greenway Arboretum absorbed high amounts of flood waters and helped to
protect homes that are near the many waterways in Fond du Lac. This is a
very important function for Fond du Lac green spaces since the entire
community is built on a marsh. (This statement was created and presented to
Park Watch members before the recent revelation that indeed this park is
important to flood mitigation efforts.)
After the evaluation has been made by a credible and qualified engineer, the
report needs to come back to the City Council for a final vote. It is not
acceptable for an appointed city staff person to have the final decision on
whether or not the changes to the landscaping will go forward. This decision
belongs to elected officials who the citizens are able to hold accountable
in subsequent elections.
Generally Park Watch members believe that our green spaces should be
preserved for all the citizens.
We find creating more baseball diamonds in the city a waste of effort. The
most recent Recreation Plan 2015 to 2020 on page 30 lists the "Recreational
Demand & Needs by Facility - 2013." This list states that the demand for
baseball diamonds is 8 and we have 10 in the City of Fond du Lac; softball
diamond demands are 8 diamonds and we have 11. Also important to note is
that there are two baseball diamonds managed by Fond du Lac Youth Baseball
that are locked and not being used.
Park Watch was founded in 2005. Our Mission Statement is as follows: Park
Watch is a citizen group concerned with preserving and restoring natural
habitat on public lands in the FDL area and improving access to nature
through education and trails. We have a mailing list of over 30 people who
are kept informed of local issues that concern our natural habitat on public
lands.
Laura P. DeGolier
Chairman, Park Watch of Fond du Lac
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