Notes from the Grove

Welcome to the Notes from the Grove, providing Liberty Grove residents and visitors tid bits of information about goings on in town government.

• The Town Board has passed Resolution 4-11 which will enable the town to accept the donation from the Door County Land Trust of the Ellison Bay Hill property. Sixteen acres of the Grandview Property will be turned over to the town when the Land Trust acquires the property this year. The town has agreed to own and manage the property in perpetuity for all to enjoy. The lower portion of the hill will be turned back to a natural state with hiking paths while the top portion will provide a park-like setting for the view. The town and Land Trust have been working on this co-operative effort for over a year. The Town Board has extended its appreciation to the Land Trust for their vision and effort in preserving this wonderful vista.

• The Town Board has also agreed with the Wisconsin DNR to manage the launch ramp at Rowleys Bay beginning this year. In four years the DNR will grant an easement to the town to manage the whole waterfront area of the former Wagon Trail Resort now know as Rowleys Bay Resort. It will become a town park. An agreement earlier between the resort and DNR provided for the sale of the property to the Wisconsin DNR. The re-organized Parks and Property Committee will begin working on plans for the park, launch and marina.

• The Town Crew has completed the interior parking area at the Garrett Bay Park and Launch site. Ingress to the parking area will be from Garrett Bay Road and exiting will be to Badger Road. It has been designated a silent sports area with launching provided for non-motorized watercraft. A rubberized steel mesh mat will be installed on the launch ramp.

• The Town Board has also indicated to the owners of Bayview Resort, formerly Cedar Grove Resort, its agreement in principle of a plan to extend a breakwall into the town’s riparian rights at Ellison Bay. A formal engineered plan will be presented at the next Town Board meeting for consideration. A number of other issues and concerns will also be addressed at that meeting. The town is looking for a co-operative effort between the resort and town on a possible expansion and upgrading of the marina at Ellison Bay.

• The name Liberty Grove came from C.T. Morbeck, originally a resident of the Town of Gibraltar. Upset when he was not elected town clerk, he persuaded the Door County Board of Supervisors in February 1859 to “set off” a portion of the Town of Gibraltar for a new town to be called “Liberty Grove.” He subsequently was elected town clerk, town treasurer, town assessor and justice of the peace for Liberty Grove.

To contact John Lowry regarding the Town of Liberty Grove or information found within this column, email [email protected] or call the Town of Liberty Grove at 920.854.2934.