Neillsville City Council Meeting - October 22, 2024:
Deanna Heiman, Neillsville Improvement Corporation (NIC), provided an update on the O’Neill Creek Trail project. NIC was founded 35 years ago, growing from a handful of members to a current membership of 64.
The organization’s purpose is to identify community improvement projects, secure funding and manage projects. In the past NIC has done the vintage lamp posts on Hewett Street, Gazebo and brick walkway in Sniteman Town Square Park, donated land for the Public Library expansion and three information kiosks around town.
Heiman stated that in 2014, NIC partnered with the UW Extension for a Place Making exercise, viewing public spaces, meetings and discussion on ideas for improvements. The concept of a bike trail on the former railroad bed rose to the top of the priority list.
Northern States Power (NSP) had purchased the railroad bed in 1980 when rail operation ceased. In 2020, NIC purchased four parcels from NSP and two parcels from a private landowner.
Heiman stated now four years later, grants were received from the DNR’s Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Grant and Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation’s Vibrant Spaces Grant with the City Council’s support. The project plan was engineered by MSA Professional Services of Marshfield.
The physical changes made to the landscape required obtaining three DNR permits, an Army Corp of Engineers permit, a Department of Transportation permit and a City permit. There has been tremendous support from foundations, local businesses and individual donors as well as countless volunteer hours.
Heiman stated that the trailhead is complete, with Opelt Park dedicated to the legacy of Carl and Millie Opelt, converting the greenspace into the City’s first fully handicap accessible park, with rubberized surface, large inclusive playscape and adult fitness stations,
A covered swing for wheelchair-bound individuals, the Neillsville Lions Club constructed a pavilion, the Southern bank of O’Neill Creek was lined with rip rap and wide stone steps leading down to the water for fishing and kayaking access, a large restroom with ADA compliant electric door openers and a water fountain.
Heiman stated directly across from the restroom is a sloping paved entrance to O’Neill Creek Trail with the familiar metal Grand Avenue Bridge-like arch. The first portion of the trail extends from the trailhead to Willow Street and is completely open.
The second portion of the trail extends from Willow Street to East Street and is also accessible, making the entire ¾ mile trail accessible to walkers and bikers. Heiman stated the City’s 2021-2041 Long Range Comprehensive Plan is 240 pages.
Twenty-nine of these pages references trails within or connecting the City. Fourteen pages reference this O’Neill Creek Trail specifically. There are many goals in the City’s long range plan.
Heiman presented a slide show of the O’Neill Creek Trailhead and Opelt Park development. Council Member Petkovsek stated that NIC and those involved did an awesome job.
For immediate release
Contact: City Clerk Rex Roehl 715-743-2105
O’Neill Creek trailhead brings outdoor activities,
walkability to Neillsville
$50,000 WEDC grant adds vibrant space to downtown Neillsville
NEILLSVILLE, WI. JUNE 16, 2023 – The City of Neillsville is receiving a $50,000 Vibrant Spaces Grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) to fund the construction of O’Neill Creek trailhead in downtown Neillsville.
The Vibrant Spaces Grant Program is designed to help cities and towns revitalize underused spaces to build community and attract future residents. Through this grant program, communities across the state of Wisconsin will be investing in their workforce attraction and small business development by creating inviting, walkable spaces in their downtowns, gateway districts, and economic centers.
“Investing in vibrant communities where people want to live, work, and raise families is critical to attracting and retaining workers in our state,” said Missy Hughes, secretary and CEO of WEDC, the state’s leading economic development organization. “These grants will help communities create new gathering places in thriving downtowns to draw in residents, visitors, new businesses and investments.”
WEDC’s Vibrant Spaces grant will support the first phase of creating multi-generational and inclusive outdoor activities in downtown Neillsville. The O’Neill Creek trailhead will be accessible and include a playground designed for children with special needs, adult fitness stations, wheelchair glider swing, kayak launch, and picnic shelter. Additionally, the site will include public restrooms in downtown Neillsville.
The trail will provide a safe route for visitors and residents to walk and cycle in the city and enhance pedestrian access to the downtown. By creating walkable and accessible spaces in downtown Neillsville, the city aims to make Neillsville an attractive place to live, work, and put down roots. The trail and trailhead will accommodate a variety of outdoor recreational activities and provide downtown visitors with a place to relax in nature while visiting local businesses.
“O’Neill Creek trail has been a part of the City’s strategic plan for many years,” explained Neillsville Mayor Dewey Poeschel, “and the WEDC grant will help us to achieve that goal.” Poeschel continued, “It’s through projects of this type that we elevate the standard of living in our community. This is just one of the initiatives we are working on in an effort to attract and retain talent to fill local job vacancies and boost economic development.”
The Vibrant Spaces Grant Program is an initiative within WEDC’s Community Development and Investment (CDI) grant program. Projects were evaluated based on their ability to create visible and pedestrian oriented public spaces that attract and accommodate multiple users and activities. Successful projects demonstrated that they would benefit the local district, nearby businesses, and the community as a whole. Communities were required to match grant funds and begin construction this summer.
More information can be found online at: https://wedc.org/programs-and-resources/
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ABOUT THE WISCONSIN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) leads economic development efforts for the state by advancing and maximizing opportunities in Wisconsin for businesses, communities and people to thrive in a globally competitive environment. Working with more than 600 regional and local partners, WEDC develops and delivers solutions representative of a highly responsive and coordinated economic development network. Visit wedc.org or follow WEDC on Twitter @WEDCNews to learn more.
Grant Application Excerpts: O’Neill Creek Trailhead is the first phase of a large-scale project. The trailhead complex will be completely handicapped accessible with an inclusive playground, adult fitness stations, wheelchair glider swing, kayak launch, pavilion, restroom facilities, and the first mile of O’Neill Creek Trail. The project goal is to provide multi-generational and inclusive healthy lifestyle activities free of charge to individuals of all needs and abilities, becoming the only area playground specifically geared toward children with special needs.
Heritage Days Parade 2022
It’s Full Steam Ahead
for Rails to Trails!
The volunteers of Neillsville Improvement Corporation are working hard to develop a safe off-road biking and walking trail for our youth and community. Start your adventure at the new waterfront Opelt Park which will feature a play structure for children of all abilities. From there, follow the trail towards Granton and on to Chili!
Climb on board Rails to Trails for a healthy and prosperous future.
Here is a great article about this project by OnFocus.news from the Marshfield Wisconsin area.
The article can also be read on their site here.
