A 2,000-foot boardwalk near Pine Lake in the Town of Belle Plaine is in the works on land owned by the town.
Town officials received approval from the Shawano County Board of Adjustment on April 10 to move forward with the proposal.
A crushed limestone walking path, compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), will be built from the wetland boardwalk to the west side of the island between Grass Lake and Pine Lake.
This new addition will measure 2,025 feet in length, 5-6 feet wide and 2-4 inches deep.
“It will begin at the end of the boardwalk, will cross the isthmus, follow the shoreline on the east side of the island past the steep hill, then cut inward and continue to the boat dock/monument area,” according to the application for variance filed with the county. “The path will then continue inland to the west and north to an elevated viewing/turn-around area on the west side of the island. (A total of) 1,030 linear feet of this path will require a variance permit.”
Alvin Bartz, town chairman, told the board the project would improve handicapped access to the island, shore up the eroding isthmus and alleviate the erosion of the current walkway.
Shanda Hubertus, Waterways Association of Menominee and Shawano Counties (WAMSCO), said the ADA-compliant boardwalk would provide access all the way to the boat dock.
Bartz said most of the trail is 75 feet from the ordinary high water mark of Pine Lake, but due to topography, there is a portion of the trail that is currently 4 feet from the high water mark.
County regulations require the project to be at least 75 feet from the ordinary high water mark of the lake unless a variance is granted.
The isthmus shoreline on Pine Lake will require new riprap along 450 feet of shoreline. Woody native vegetation will be planted within the riprap.
Additionally, a 790-square-foot area on the eastern hillside will be planted with deep rooting native plants to stabilize the hill from erosion and washouts.
The land is a 19.93-acre island with an isthmus leading to the property with access from Cloverleaf Lake Road. There is an additional 5.67 acres of land adjoining, immediately to the west.
The trail area is already compacted by foot traffic by the general public. The cursed limestone would benefit those who use electric wheelchairs or scooters.
kpasson@newmedia-wi.com
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