WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI (WSAU) -- A summer-long parks project in Wisconsin Rapids is nearly complete.
Mayor Zach Vruwink used this week's Mayors Monday segment to show off the improvements at Demitz park, including a new pedestrian underpass which takes the busy river expressway out of the equation for bicyclists and walkers along with improvements along the Wisconsin Riverbank.
"It's a major enhancement, that folks can now get to downtown on foot or on bike, or they can get to the airport or other businesses south of the expressway on foot or on bike," said Vruwink. He adds that the four-lane, divided highway in the middle of the city has proven to be unsafe for pedestrians in the past.
The improved trail system also serves as a connection to the system already in place, meaning pedestrians can now run, walk, or bike the entire train from the Town of Biron south to Port Edwards without having to walk along or cross a city street. According to Vruwink, the trail now goes for some 25 miles.
Other improvements to the park were made with an eye towards making it handicapped accessible for the first time. A shaded shelter was also installed that Vruwink says will be available to reserve for gatherings next summer.
But some of the most important improvements to the park were made to help aid in keeping the Wisconsin River at bay when it comes to flooding events. "Our stewardship of that asset is really important in order to retain these beautiful spaces in the common occurrence of flooding events as we go forward."
Part of that included a new cement retaining wall underneath the Riverview Expressway and the complete re-riprapping of the riverbank. "We actually removed the old river wall and installed a new riprap that will withstand any flooding events, they're intended to hold the river bank in place." He adds that the designs were made to withstand flooding events for the next hundred years.
Ironically, Vurwink says part of the reason for the delay in the project came because of some flooding that occurred this summer during construction.
He says the project is "about 95% complete" with some park features like benches and tables still needing to be installed. Additionally, a local group came forward with the idea to install some fitness equipment in the park. Vruwink previously said that was done through a public-private partnership with the group purchasing the equipment and the city picking up the tab to install it.
Other topics Vruwink discussed with WSAU's Mike Leischner include:
Start of video- Overview of the improvements and features of Demitz park including flood management features and the connection of the city's trail system under the Riverview Expressway
6:30- Update on the recently approved city budget and how tax rates will decline for 2019.
8:30- What having a new Governor in January could mean for future road projects in Wisconsin Rapids.
10:20- Discussion on alternative forms of road funding including wheel tax and gas tax.
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