Mead Park pedestrian trail approved

STEVENS POINT — The Board of Park Commissioners have approved the pedestrian trail concept for Mead Park and its preliminary cost estimate.
The approved concept for the proposed trail along the Wisconsin River includes two new additions from the concept originally discussed in May. The current concept introduced lighting options and adding pollinator habitats or native grasses along the path. According to the parks department, the preliminary current cost estimate is just shy of $160,000, but does not include the addition of light poles.
Dan Kremer, Director of Parks, Recreation, and Forestry, said a single light pole can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000. “You could easily get to $50,000 to $70,000 for lights.” Kremer said.
Commissioners discussed the types of lighting that could be used along the pedestrian trail, with Alderperson Olson suggesting that dark sky friendly lights be used. Dark sky friendly lights would cast the light downwards towards the path rather than upwards towards the sky.
However, Commissioner Disher countered that dark sky lighting may not be the safest choice. “My issue with the dark sky lighting is that we have an issue with people drowning in the river at night. We’re putting a path on the river that’s not there. It needs to be lit.”

Olson stated that dark sky friendly lights are often motion activated, and therefore could alert to movement at night.
The commission voted to approve the concept and preliminary cost, with the amendment of adding the dark sky friendly lights into consideration for future planning. The amendment does not guarantee dark sky friendly lights will be used, but rather dark sky friendly lighting choices will be added to the plan for future commissioners to consider when voting through the final steps of the project.
Although the project currently has no allocated budget and is not in the five-year capital plan, approving the concept allows the city to keep its permit on file with the local permitting office for future action.