FOX VALLEY, WI (WTAQ) – An ambitious idea to link walking trails on either side of the Fox River in the Fox Cities is in the works.
Kaukauna and Little Chute officials are proposing a quarter-mile long trail bridge that would cross the Fox River and link Little Chute’s existing trail with a Kaukauna trail to be built along an abandoned rail line.
The Fox Valley is already home to a variety of trail systems.
But leaders in Kaukauna and Little Chute say something is missing.
Bob Jakel is Kaukauna’s Director of Planning & Community Development
“Propose a boardwalk that would come from the combined lock all the way across the river to the city of Kaukauna’s trail system.”
That quarter-mile long boardwalk would give walkers and bikers the opportunity to go from Kaukauna to Little Chute, or vice versa, without having to use a busy roadway.
“Anytime you can have a trail system that can go along a river or creek, and avoid having to go through on-street systems, it is a plus. It is definitely a safety factor.”
While the initial idea of the proposed bridge is to link up the two entities of Kaukauna and Little Chute, proponents say that connecting those two trails would lead to much more than that.
Adam Breest is Little Chute’s Director of Parks and Recreation
“Connect with Appleton, Kaukauna, Little Chute, Kimberly. Keeping people active through biking and walking.”
Proponents say completing this piece of the trail system puzzle would create a more cohesive and appealing community.
The project will have a lot of hoops to jump through. Needing to get approved by the DNR, and the Fox River Navigational System authority, for example. If it does get the green light, Little Chute and Kaukauna will work to fund it through grants and taxpayer money.
The project is still in its very earliest phases.
Last week, Kaukauna’s common council approved an engineering firm to explore the project.
And the Little Chute village board will look at the feasibility of the idea at a meeting this Wednesday.
