A just-completed update to Portage County's Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan found the three most commonly cited shortcomings in the county park system are poor water quality, residential encroachment and overcrowding.
"It is vital that the county deals effectively with these problems in order to avoid the deterioration of those existing facilities," according to the implications and conclusions portion of the plan approved by the County Board last week.
Developed by the county Park Commission and Parks Department, with the assistance of the county Planning and Zoning Department, the updated plan covers the years 2001-2006. The county developed its plan in 1971 and continually updates it to guide recreational development and qualify for federal and state grants.
Some findings are demand currently exceeds supply for downhill skiing, firearm target shooting and cross country skiing in the county. During peak times, camping demand also exceeds supply.
The study determined adequate public and private/commercial facilities are available for off-road biking, motor boating, canoeing, fishing, golfing, hiking, horseback riding, bow target shooting, snowmobiling, swimming and waterskiing during the next five years.
Demand will increase for virtually all types of recreation, especially nontraditional activities like cross country skiing, mountain biking, in-line skating and skateboarding. As demand increases, so will competition between user groups - especially water-based activities.
The public sector should continue to encourage the private sector to provide recreational facilities and opportunities. Camping is well suited to the private sector. Horseback riding and winter sports activities are other private sector possibilities.
Because population projections show the most of the county's growth will occur in the Stevens Point urban area, the county, city and other urban area municipalities need to cooperate and coordinate meeting the recreation demands of the concentrated growth area. Cooperation could include joint participation in the development of new park facilities on the urban fringe.
Earlier this year, the County Board adopted an open space plan identifying environmentally sensitive lands for preservation and possible purchase. Stream corridors, lands with scenic values and lands linking such areas were given high priority for protection. To supplement conservancy zoning, the open space plan recommended purchase, land trade, conservation easements or other compensatory forms of acquisition or development restrictions.
"Acquisition of desirable lands would eliminate the pressure for private rezoning/development requests, allow for public access, and allow the private landowner some form of compensation not presently afforded under conservancy zoning," according to the plan. "Scenic easements should be considered, where public ownership is not desirable or feasible."
The Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan recommends the county consider creating a new park classification to accommodate conservancy or open space areas. "Parks" in the new classification would be left in their natural state or developed for very low intensity recreational uses, like fishing and canoeing. An example would be the Plover River corridor northeast of Stevens Point, where there is strong public and private support for the preservation and possible purchase of privately owned parcels.
Pending land acquisition projects include seeking land contiguous to Collins Park, buying land south of Wolf Lake Park, an urban park facility and purchasing land from Consolidated Papers to expand the Wisconsin River Recreation Area. The North Central Conservancy Trust is coordinating projects to establish a Plover River greenbelt and preserve unique natural areas. The Green Circle Committee is working to secure long-term agreements or purchases for the Green Circle Trail.
Planned development projects at county parks include expanding campgrounds at Lake Emily Park in 2001 and Jordan Park in 2002 and developing the Wisconsin River Recreation Area in 2004 to relieve congestion at DuBay Park. Work on the Tomorrow River State Trail is dependent on future funding. Construction of a sledding/tubing hill at Standing Rocks Park is scheduled for 2002, but the facility could be moved to the proposed urban park.
Developing a trapshooting area at the Dewey Shooting Range is also under consideration.