Franklin Today

September Updates from Alderwoman Wilhelm

Dear Residents,

Here is good news from our Chief of Police and a few items of possible interest. 

Kristen Wilhelm

Franklin's 3rd District

Parks Commission backs CCD concept, makes recommendation to Council

At last night's Parks Commission meeting, Citizens for Community Development (CCD) was asked to present its concept for lands surrounding Froemming Park and the Milwaukee County Sports Complex. As most of you are aware, CCD has been working on this concept for a little over a year, tweaking it per the input given by the community. In recent months, CCD's concept has gained significant momentum in light of the petition supporting its concept being submitted to the City and with more attention being given to it by other entities. Doing the presentation was myself, as CCD's President, and Mike Soto, who's on the CCD Board of Directors and whose employer, Continuum Architects, donated its time and talents to assist CCD in continuing to mold this concept for our community.

Birdhouses to be installed in Franklin's parks

From Parks Commissioner Don Dorsan:

Friends of Franklin’s Parks, in partnership with the Franklin Historical Society, will be installing birdhouses at Legend Park, Lake Ernie, and Franklin Woods on Saturday April 30th from noon to 3 pm.  The groups hope to install up to 40 bird houses in Franklin’s Parks.  We are looking for additional volunteers to help out. Please preregister for the for the bird house installation project by e-mailing ddorsan@yahoo.com. The volunteers will meet at in front of Franklin City Hall at noon on Saturday April 30^th.

Friends of Franklin's Parks looks to next project

From a friend of mine, Don Dorsan:

Friends of Franklin’s Parks, in partnership with the Franklin Historical Society, will be installing Bird houses at Legend Park, Lake Ernie, and Franklin Woods on Saturday April 30th . The Historical Society which has been selling bird houses as a fundraiser for many years donated up to 40 bird houses to the effort. The Friends organization is looking for volunteers to help in the installation at local parks.

The Friends of Franklin's Parks is a volunteer organization who takes on projects in our local parks and natural areas. In addition to the bird house installation they are planning on a garlic mustard removal project in May and Buckthorn removal in fall. They meet on the last Wednesday of each month for meeting locations or additional information visit the Friends Website at www.friendsoffranklinsparks.webs.com.

The Friends ask that people preregister for the for the bird house installation project or Garlic Mustard removal project by e-mailing ddorsan@yahoo.com.

Some updates from Alderwoman Kristen Wilhelm

KW March Updates

Alderwoman Wilhelm updates residents on city matters

KW Update Late 2/2011

Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan on Council agenda

The City of Franklin’s Planning Department & Parks Commission has released the city’s Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (CORP). This document assists the city in securing available funding and is a guideline for many years to come in terms of where to build or enhance parks. CORP has both a Public Hearing on the Plan as well as its likely approval on Tuesday night. With that said, there is a concern regarding one of the Plan's concepts. At the present time, CORP proposes a “central park” near the landfill, in the SW portion of the city, and does not mention the Froemming Park location that has received much support online and noted as such in many media articles. 

This is somewhat disappointing, since Froemming Park should be encouraged as Franklin’s “central park” due to that park being more centralized in the community with greater residential access, as well as a connection to the Oak Leaf Trail. In addition, the proposed CORP location in SW Franklin would require extensive commitment from both the state and the county, due to the land’s current “State Natural Area” designation. Franklin’s seniors are also much better poised to access Froemming Park vs. the distant CORP location.

It is my hope that aldermen are encouraged to support a viable solution that allows the people better access at a true “central” location for community amenities and enjoyment. From many conversations with residents of all ages, I've found that they want a “central park” in the center of Franklin, and not near a landfill.

February City Updates from Alderwoman Wilhelm

KW e-Newsletter 2/2011

January 24, 6-8pm: Make your voice heard on Franklin's Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan

ABOVE: From a previous post on SPRAWLED OUT: An example of a trail that is certainly "recreational," but A) does not connect any destinations (it merely loops through a park), and B) empties into a blind curve on a suburban speedway, further shielded by trees and shrubs (indicated with green boxes).

The City of Franklin has been working for some time on a new Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, and is now inviting public input.

I encourage people to come to the open house and make their concerns about CONNECTIVITY in the city of Franklin heard. As a member of the city's Trails Committee, I am sorry to report that there is precious little interaction between us and the city's Parks Commission. In fact, there has been considerable tension in Trails Committee meetings when I or any other member made requests for information on the ongoing Recreation plan.

via fullyarticulated.typepad.com

View and opine about the Outdoor Rec Plan

If you can squeeze a few minutes to attend this open house, it would make a big impact. This is our community, and your opinions are needed. Right now, the Parks Commission is about to publish their Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, which in part sets into motion a gameplan for the city in terms of which parks and trails to develop, where, when and how. Before the commission approves it, a public open house as been scheduled for your input into the future of this very important aspect of our community. The press release highlighting the date and time is below.

Parks Plan Open House