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Clearing Up Anclam Costs

Some people came away from last week’s meeting in Baileys Harbor to discuss improvements to Anclam Park a bit confused about costs. A couple years ago, the town backed away from a plan designed by Miller engineers that was configured to handle storm water runoff. That plan carried an estimated cost of $291,300.

At last Wednesday’s informational meeting, the board expressed measured enthusiasm for the park redesign presented by John Meredith of Lakeshores Landscapes. Meredith said his plan could cost between $400,000 and $600,000, leaving many in the audience wondering why the town didn’t go ahead with the Miller plan.

Aside from aesthetic issues some board members had with the Miller plan, it’s important to note that comparing the plans is not an apples to apples endeavor.

The Miller plan addressed only the beach portion of the park and was focused on handling storm water runoff, similar to work done at beaches in Egg Harbor, Ellison Bay, and Sunset Park.

The Lakeshores Landscape plan addresses the entire park, including the long, man-made jetty. It includes walking paths, extensive landscaping, playground space, green space, and parking lot work.

“They’re really two very different kinds of plans,” says Amanda Surfus, conservationist with the Door County Soil and Water Conservation Department. “The Miller plan is an engineering plan, the Lakeshores plan is more of a landscaping plan. We want to work with the town to kind of merge the two, to make sure the water quality portion is part of whatever they decide to do.”

Surfus noted that some parts of the Miller plan have been completed by the town already, such as the moving of the storm sewer pipe.

Click here to see the Miller plan>>

Read more about the Lakeshores plan here>>