GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Too often in recent years, people using the East River Trail are finding the need for a detour.
“On the end over here it is basically underwater quite a bit,” said Tim Christianson, of Green Bay who was walking his two dogs near East River Emilie Park.
“Mud gets into the trail and then you’re forced to walk around the trail area and the water area.”
An effort is underway in Green Bay to keep the East River Trail open, which has been plagued by high water.
The East River Trail is about 10 miles long. In addition to Green Bay, parts of it are also in Ledgeview, De Pere, Bellevue and Allouez.
Green Bay has identified seven trouble spots along its portion of the trail. An area behind Riverside Ballroom would be the top priority to fix if the city council wants to head in that direction.
The city estimates fixing all of its trouble areas could cost about $1.1 million.
“We’ve got a real gem here and money is tough,” said Bill Galvin, a Green Bay alderperson and frequent trail user.
“I just think if we start preparing as a community and band together with the other communities along this trail, I think we can do more good than to try to do it on our own.”
Parks department employees report only two of the four communities that have part of the East River Trail are interested in working toward a joint solution. They couldn’t say which two.
“If we can show the leadership, maybe we might be able to get them on board along with some of the other state and federal agencies,” said Galvin.
“We can lead the way, but I’d almost prefer a higher organization to get all of us in order,” said Randy Scannell, a Green Bay alderperson.
Parks committee members suggested looking at making the trail part of the state system to have a better chance at financial help.
The committee voted Tuesday night that city staff should continue to look at options and try to get the other communities on board.
“You see a lot of bikers, a lot of people walking, especially right now with the COVID,” said Christianson. “Just for the safety of the people, it should be an interest at least to get it going.”
If the city moves forward to studying the issue, which carries a $194,200 price tag of the estimated $1.1 million, it would work with FEMA to determine how high the East River could eventually rise.
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