WILD WARNER MEETING MARCH 8, 2011
Wildlife sightings by members: Bluebirds, robins, sand hill cranes, a raccoon’s skull. We are hoping to attract wood ducks with two new nests.
Parks Superintendent Kevin Briski came to talk to the group. Our question to him was, “What can we do in Warner Park?” His response was “What we can do is up to our imaginations.” He is open to all ideas. The ideas that he brought up were invasive species removal and removal of trash.
Concerns from the attendees include:
The “Invasiveness” of the Park. That non-development of the park is what is appealing verses the commercialized aspects of the park. One of the questions that someone asked was “Where do you stand as a representative of the city? His response was that the Parks Commission is where people go to vet, keeping many ideas, of many people, in mind.
Commercialization of Park. The Madison Parks department incorporates 1/3 conservation, 1/3 active, and 1/3 preservation. when looking at the park’s usage.
We asked Briski: Is Warner Park the “sacrificial lamb”? Can we develop boundaries within Warner park for balancing the areas? Briski said that many events have been denied behind the scenes before they get to the Parks Department depending on environmental impacts and other concerns.
Are there public records available to us of what is being approved? No.
We expressed concerns of the bicycle race pre and post. Are there laws that protect areas? Yes. City Ordinances
Dogs unleashed. Parks know about the problem and talked about a Ranger program that was recently approved with two positions. The Rangers will be the ones to manage the dog issue.
Delores sees Warner Park as a treasure and reiterates that it is a neighborhood, community park.
Mr Briski told us that Alder Satya Rhodes-Conway requested (in the 2011 city budget) $100,000 for a master plan for Warner Park. The funding is available and there will be a consulting team coming in.
Someone asked, “Why don’t we stand by the master plan that is already in place?”
Geese issue. Timothy brought up the frustration of the break down of communications between the Parks Department and Wild Warner. His question to Mr. Briski was, “Are we going to be able to develop a working relationship with the Parks Department? Briski’s comments were that he wanted public input, ideas, opinions and then develop a management plan. And, that there will be a committee after Hefty has finalized research including Geese Peace. Timothy talked about the urgency of the time line since spring is nearing.
Rhythm and Booms. We asked if R&B was going to be moved and the answer was NO. Asked about the process of input and Mr. Briski said that you could attend Common Council meetings, talk to your alder and the Mayor’s office. Heavy metals from R&B in the lagoon were brought up.
There was also a question about getting the Mallards to set off the fireworks before10:00 pm.
Recommendation at the meeting to invite Satya to meetings since she is an intricate part of the
decision making at the city level.
Trish has five professors or students from the UW to do nature walks and talks for this spring.
Marlene has applied for a Willy Street Grant worth $2,000. To collect the grant we must have a non-discrimination statement. Will work on that for the next meeting.
Talked about pulling something together for Earth Day, on April 23, a Saturday Timothy will organize litter clean up, Alex will organize a Garlic Mustard pulling roundup.
We are changing the date of our monthly meeting starting in May. They will be the first Tuesday of the month instead of the second. April will be held on the second Tuesday, because of the election.