A Bridge to the Future
September 21, 2021
Last week, at their Special September Budget meeting, the Fond du Lac City Council moved to add $200,000 to the 2022 Capital Improvement Budget (CIP) for the design work to put in a pedestrian bridge to connect Lakeside East to Lakeside West. At last year’s September budget meeting, the Council by an unanimous vote put the funds for the bridge itself into the CIP for 2023.
We applaud both councils for recognizing the value of Lakeside Park West. This is a bridge to the future. A future that recognizes that huge other part of the park, Lakeside West.
Lakeside park is two sections that are separated by the Fond du Lac River. The East side is almost 150 acres. The West side is about 248 acres for a total of close to 400 acres.
It is about a 1.9 mile journey to travel between the two sections of the park. In addition to being long, that route is not safe for pedestrians or bikers as part of the trip you have to travel on the shoulder of a busy state highway. This separation really limits access to Lakeside Park West.
If you do not have a car, it is very likely you will never visit Lakeside Park West. If you are an out of town visitor to Lakeside Park East, you wouldn’t even know there is a western half of the park. A bridge over the Fond du Lac River would change that long journey into about 200 ft.
Lakeside West has Supples Marsh which is about 185 acres of undisturbed wetlands and water. This gem reflects what the shores of Lake Winnebago were in their natural state. The design and engineering work to add boardwalks to Supples Marsh is in process with the completion expected in 2022. Thanks to a generous donation from Tom and Chris Gross, the completion of this project was moved up 3 years.
Lakeside West also has boat launching ramps with car and trailer parking lot, a picnic areas, restrooms, a 3 ½ acre fenced dog park and the Archer Thomas Olsen Walking Trail.
The Archer Thomas Olsen Walking Trail was opened in 2019. This trail is the work of a Leadership Fond du Lac team. Team Trailblazers developed this one-mile multi-use trail in Lakeside Park West with the financial support of Tom and Chris Gross. The mowed grass trail can be used for hiking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and other outdoor recreation.
The trail is named after the infant grandson of Tom and Chris Gross. As Tom told at the dedication, Archer Thomas only lived 2 days, but in that time he touched many people. Tom said, “If we could all live by that model, everybody we touch leaves an impression, it would be a better world.”
You can see Tom’s presentation at the dedication for the Archer Thomas Olsen Trail in the video below.
Lakeside Park West has more Lake Winnebago shoreline that Lakeside Park East. It also has a gravel roadway right next to the shoreline. Add this to the one mile Archer Thomas Olsen trail loop and we have almost two miles of walking trails that immerse you in the natural world. This is unlike anything in Lakeside Park East.
Lakeside Park West is a very special “somewhere.” It has an incredible natural beauty that is not found in Lakeside Park East. It also is home to a marsh ecosystem that is fun to explore via the water or soon from the boardwalks. Many people have yet to discover all there is to do and see in Lakeside Park West.
A pedestrian bridge over the Fond du Lac River will make it possible for everyone to access and enjoy ALL of Lakeside Park.
