Request for more trail funds made

by Nathan Arneal
published 11/25/09

Franklin-Cotterell Greens Arboretum curator Bob Feurer attended the Nov. 17 city council meeting to give an update on the trail paving project and ask for more funds.

More than half of the trails in the arboretum, located on the grounds of NBC high school, have been covered with concrete to make eight-foot wide paved walkways. Feurer said just over four-tenths of a mile was paved this summer, leaving about three-tenths to go.

In April, the Council gave $12,000 in keno funds to the paving project, an amount that Feurer said allowed him to start the bidding process on the work completed this summer. BnE construction donated its labor to the project, equaling a $15,000 in-kind donation. Feurer was very happy with the work done by BnE and he is hopeful that the company will see the project to its completion next summer.

“The twists and turning (BnE) really did a nice job of,” Feurer said. “The trail’s shape conforms to the arboretum very nicely.”

The paved portion of the trail now circles the NBC football field and stadium. A paved trail also connects the stadium loop to the high school and practice building. A smaller loop previously completed connects the trail to Birchwood Manor. Feurer said he has seen many Birchwood residents out on the trails as well as an increase in use by the rest of the community.

“Traffic has increased,” he said. “I’m actually starting to worry about my weeds now because there’s actually people up there. I was working up there tonight and there was six people up there, one on a bike and five others on foot just in the hour I was up there.”

Feurer said about $50,000 has been spent on the project to date, and all funds raised so far have been exhausted. He is now beginning to raise funds with a goal of having the project completed by the end of next summer. He estimates that it will take about $30,000 to finish the trail around the practice football fields, essentially making the trail a large figure-8.

“I think it’s a nice addition to our community and I hope the city council would continue to support us,” Feurer said. “What ever you can do for us would be greatly appreciated.”

The Council said it will discuss an amount to donate and present Feurer with a figure next meeting.

In other Council business:
• Approved a renewal of the city’s contract with the county for law enforcement. North Bend will pay $5,420.89 per month for law enforcement and patrolling by the Dodge County Sheriff’s Department. This is an increase of $188.37 per month.
• Approved a $50 fine for people who do not have their trees trimmed to proper clearances after receiving a warning letter. Branches must clear sidewalks by eight feet and streets by 14 feet. If residents to not take care of trimming in a timely manner, the will be fined $50 plus the cost of having the trees trimmed. The fine will go into effect Jan. 1.
• Approved use of the auditorium by the North Bend Area Summer Ball Association for its annual New Year’s Eve dance.

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