2020 has been the year of virtual events; we are working remotely and meeting through our computer screens. People are getting outside in increased numbers and doing more to improve their home space due to all that time spent there.
We had hoped that the situation would improve to allow for a boat tour along with Wolf River. While we were unable to make it happen, we are extremely pleased with what we were able to create in its place.
Our virtual tour travels north up the Wolf River, starting at the Pahl Residence just south of Smalley Park.
Enjoy this video of Heather talking about her shoreline.
Next we move just north to Smalley Park.
Matt Hendricks with the City of Shawano shared the following information with us about the project.
Background of the Park: Smalley Park is a three and a half acre site with over 600 feet of shoreline. The park was identified through our Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan as a park that needed renovation. It was listed as a high priority because of the access to the river, it is the only public beach in the City, we have a strong partnership with a local non profit (Ski Sharks) and was in a neighborhood not otherwise greatly serviced by public parks. In 2017 the City of Shawano residents passed a referendum that entailed borrowing $1.9 million dollars to complete three major park projects. Smalley Park being one of them. If you were familiar with Smalley Park in the past you can see the entire site has been recently renovated. Additional funding came from WI DNR, Shawano Ski Sharks, Shawano Tourism Council, Pevonka Healthy Hearts and the Bleser Foundation.
Specific to the Plantings: The shoreline was previously a combination of native and non-native plantings. With one or two species dominating the shoreline. We saw this as an opportunity. Our goals included;
- Stabilizing the shoreline.
- Providing and educational opportunity for people of all ages
- Attracting native insects, butterflies, bugs
- Provide a vegetative barrier to discourage geese from coming to the park
- Provide and aesthetically pleasing environment
We contracted with LJ Reas Environmental Consulting Corp. to create a planting plan, to procure plants and to lead a volunteer install day. Much of the prep work was completed by Shawano Ski Shark volunteers and Parks and Recreation Staff. Total project cost of consulting services and plants was just under $7,000.00. The day of install was completed by volunteers, Parks and Recreation Staff with Lisa providing direction and oversight.
We were fortunate in that we did not have any real obstacles. We had lots of help, adequate funding and a good plan. Since this is home to the Ski Sharks we were cognizant not to plant plants that would grow very tall in height, as we wanted to preserve viewing corridors for the spectators. We were lucky to have Steve Dobberstein donate time and irrigation materials. The entire planting area is irrigated by water pumped from the river. He also spends time each year to weed out unwanted plants and fill in where we may have had die off. Now that we are a few years out from the project, we are very happy with it. Lots of good color and really believe that it is an asset to the community.
Now lets move up into the Shawano Lake outlet to Glas Coffee.
Glas Coffee partnered with Cellcom, WAMSCO, and Shawano County Land Conservation Department to get their shoreline installed. You can read all about it here: https://www.nsightnews.com/nsight-cellcom-press-releases/local-businesses-lead-by-example-with-shoreline-improvement
Enjoy this video with Joe Glazey from Glas.
Our final stop along this tour is the Nordin resident up near the north edge of Shawano County.
They are in the third year of their project and are adding a substantial number of plants to this project in 2020. They are also adding a rain garden to a more upland area.
Listen to Brenda talk about the project. One thing that this video missed out on was our discussion about planting on the steep shoreline, it involved swinging in a harness with a drill in one hand and the plant in the other!
Upon our arrival back to the landing from the tour we had planned on hosting a workshop to help people determine what they type of native plant project they wanted and how to get started.
We recorded the presentation to allow anyone to access it and learn more about what goes into a native plant project.
Listen to Emily Henrigillis, the regional watershed coordinator for Shawano and Menominee Counties, talk about rain gardens, shoreline restoration projects, resources available, and how to use a dichotomous key.
If you want to get out and visit these sites in person, we offer two options: car or boat.
Due to two of these projects being on private property, we recommend the boat tour as you can view all four locations from the water. If you want to go by car, we ask that you only visit the two public sites.
