La Crosse park board approves permits, leases and MOUs; recreation staff provide summer program updates

The La Crosse Board of Park Commissioners on April 16 approved a package of routine but substantive items affecting parks operations, facilities and community partnerships.

Votes at a glance
- Minutes: Approved unanimously (motion by Commissioner Olsen; second Council Member Weston).
- Ordinance recommendation on e-bikes/e-scooters (agenda item 2060377): Recommended to the common council, 5–2 (see separate coverage).
- Bluff View Basketball Court Lights (request 260393): Board approved fundraising to install lights at Bluff View Park; lights will be photo-sensor controlled and are proposed to shut off at 10:00 p.m.; board approved unanimously on a motion by Commissioner Kirsch, seconded by Commissioner Young.
- Northwoods League Softball LLC — one-year lease extension for Copeland Field: Approved unanimously (third one-year extension available under board authority); staff noted a corrected term start date of June 1, 2026.
- FAA lease (request 260409): Approved unanimously; converts a prior no-cost arrangement to a paid lease of $1,500 annually for an initial 10-year term (site near Rim Of The City Road; small fenced radio-tower site).
- Beautification permits (three separate applications: 1522 Green Bay Street; Bud Hendrickson Trail section; 1907 Loomis Street): Approved unanimously; applicants described native plantings, rain gardens and stormwater infiltration benefits.
- Memorandums of understanding with Friends groups and partners (Friends of the Blufflands; Friends of the Marsh; Outdoor Recreation Alliance of the 7 Rivers Region): Approved (Friends of the Blufflands passed with one abstention noted; others unanimous).

Staff updates and presentations
- Recreation staff presented a new parks web page and a recreation mobile app (500+ downloads), improvements to ADA compliance and mobile navigation, and program participation numbers: 145 players in youth basketball, 350 registered in a youth soccer program, expanded summer camps and rentals at Pettibone Park.
- Amy Schmidt summarized Special Recreation and Special Olympics activities, noting growing athlete leadership programs and strong fundraising results (e.g., polar plunge fundraising successes). Ryan Fitzgerald (UWL intern) presented a proposed Adopt-a-Site volunteer program.
- Director Jay reported that the Girl Scout building (East Relic Park parcel) will revert to city control after the Girl Scouts depart; the building is in disrepair, asbestos and demolition are concerns, and staff plans to issue an RFI to solicit interest for reuse or sale.

Next steps: Items recommended by the board that require council action (notably the e-bike ordinance package) will be forwarded to the La Crosse common council for additional review and potential amendment. Several administrative items (permits, leases, MOUs) will proceed under staff direction.