Residential growth is prompting Menomonee Falls to plan a 61-acre park in the southwest part of the village
Because of housing and residential growth in the southwest part of the village, Menomonee Falls village officials are proposing a new park.
Aero Park would be east of Wanaki Golf Course adjacent to the Tamarind, Aeropark, Evergreen Fields, Highlands at Aero Park subdivisions in Menomonee Falls, said Village Planner Tyler Zwagerman.
Zwagerman said growth specifically in the southwestern part of the village is behind the plan. He said that the village's comprehensive outdoor recreation plan identified both a deficit of community park acres for the village as a whole and a lack of parks in proximity to neighborhoods developing in the southwest portion of Menomonee Falls.
Zwagerman noted that Oakwood Park, built in the 1990s, serves the southeastern part of the village; Aero Park is intended to benefit the other side of the village.
"The parks serve our neighborhoods and bring in people from a mile or two away," he said. "We have heard from residents that the parks improve the quality of life. They are a great asset to drawing people into the community."
Zwagerman presented a conceptual plan at the Jan. 3 village meeting. He said the village board will need to approve a bidder for Phase 1, which will include grading, prairie/wetland restoration, trails and a boardwalk. Zwagerman said that phase is expected to begin this year.
The other phases — Phase 2 (parking area, landscaping, playground, shelter and stormwater) and Phase 3 (tennis/pickleball courts, shelter, basketball/game courts and picnic shelters) — are slated to be started and completed between 2023 and 2026.
More: 2 Menomonee Falls residential development projects are eyeing a 2022 completion
The 61-acre proposed Aero Park, Zwagerman said, will have many amenities, including a playground and a game court for kids, court areas for sports including pickleball, tennis and basketball, reservable picnic shelters and natural areas and open spaces for recreational uses.
There will also be trails for hiking, running and biking, he said.
Zwagerman said the public parking area, restrooms, crosswalks, shelters and sport courts will all be constructed to meet ADA accessibility guidelines.
"The asphalt trail loop and boardwalk segments will also be designed to be accessible for users of all abilities, with ample width and slopes that meet ADA accessibility guidelines," Zwagerman said.
"The play area will also meet ADA standards, but may have some elements that are not accessible to all users," he added.
The cost of the project is estimated at $3.95 million; about 49% of the cost is eligible to come from park impact fees. The cost is incorporated in the capital plan over five years, Zwagerman said.
Zwagerman noted that Menomonee Falls currently maintains 16 park and plaza spaces and that the village owns more than 1,500 acres designated as park and open space. He said most of these lands are preserved wetland and woodland areas; about 300 acres are developed for outdoor recreational use.
"The parks and green space have played an important role in the development of successful communities. It’s one of the most requested and desired community features. They provide opportunities for residents to interact with others, to enjoy nature, quality family time, exercise and other recreational benefits," said Village President Dave Glasgow.
"With this area of the Falls exploding in residential growth, it will be an exciting addition to our community," he added.
Cathy Kozlowicz can be reached at 262-361-9132 or cathy.kozlowicz@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @kozlowicz_cathy.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Menomonee Falls proposes another village park
