Supporters of a county long-range plan for bicycles and pedestrians hoped for unanimous support Wednesday from the County Board. That hope fell two votes short, but the county now has a plan that is expected to guide future trail and recreation development for the next 20 years.
The plan is a first step for Shawano Pathways, the primary organization pushing for it, to apply for grant funding that would pay for most of its projects. The plan has been in the works since 2008.
Among the proposals are developing a streets policy that includes adequate space for bicycles and pedestrians on new and redeveloped roads, adding bike lanes or extended shoulders to some county roads, and developing exits into existing towns and villages for the Mountain-Bay and Wiouwash trails.
Greg Sturm, Shawano Pathways president, urged the board to stand united behind the plan, pointing out that it would greatly help future grant applications to foundations and the state and federal governments.
“If we don’t have a plan like that, then you’re kind of on your own to get things funded,” Sturm said.
Jan Lewellyn, retired public health nurse, told the board that the county needs more than ideas to improve options for people who ride bicycles or walk for enjoyment and to improve their overall health.
“Funders will not fund ideas, especially when you go to big funders like the (Wisconsin) Department of Transportation and foundations in particular,” Lewellyn said.
For Laura Dunham, a three-sport athlete in high school, keeping fit is essential. Dunham is dealing with a brain tumor, and exercising as much as possible helps to fight cancer, she told the board.
Having a long-range plan will help improve people’s health, Dunham noted. Recent health rankings put Shawano County 63rd out of 72 Wisconsin counties in overall health.
“I just really feel this would be a way to improve our county so we’ll have a healthier county,” Dunham said.
The two supervisors who voted against the plan, Deb Noffke and Bert Huntington, pushed for an amendment that stipulated approval of the plan did not commit the county to funding projects outlined in the plan. That amendment failed 16-11.
“I think we’re getting a little ahead of ourselves. Tonight, we’re just approving the plan,” Supervisor Kathy Luebke said. “We’re not looking at any of the projects in the plan. Basically, the plan is to look for outside funding, and when that’s found, then they’ll come to us.”
Supervisor Thomas Kautza agreed.
“I think everybody’s reading way too much into this,” he said. “It’s just a plan.”
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