Author: Fred Heider

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Wisconsin Rapids Safe Routes To School – 2024

Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programs are an opportunity to make walking and bicycling to school safer for children in grades K-8, and to increase the number of children who choose to walk and bicycle. On a broader level, SRTS programs can enhance children’s health and well-being, ease traffic congestion near the school, and improve community members’ overall quality of life.

Regional SRTS HomePedestrian SafetyResourcesBicycle SafetySRTS PSAs

Planning Process
In 2022, the North Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission and the Wisconsin Rapids School District won a WisDOT SRTS planning grant to create a SRTS Plan for several schools in the District. In the fall of 2023, the City and District began SRTS Planning with the assistance of the North Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (NCWRPC). The NCWRPC guided the Wisconsin Rapids SRTS Task Force through the planning process.

The following schools are part of Wisconsin Rapids SRTS Planning:
Wisconsin Rapids Area Middle School
Grant Elementary
Grove Elementary
Howe Elementary
Mead Elementary
THINK Academy
Washington Elementary
Woodside Elementary

Wisconsin Rapids SRTS Task Force
Ronald Rasmussen, Superintendent, WRPS
Tracy Ginter, Wisconsin Rapids Area Middle School Principal, WRPS
Tina Wallner, Grove Elementary Principal, WRPS
Tina Miller, Howe Elementary Principal, WRPS
Amber Applebee, Mead Elementary Principal, WRPS
Kelly Schaeffer, Washington Elementary Principal, WRPS
Julie Kolarik, Woodside Elementary Principal, WRPS
Edwin Allison, Director of Buildings and Grounds, WRPS
Aaron Nelson, Business Services, WRPS
Officer Dan Pelot, Student Resource Officer, WRPS
Joe Eichsteadt, PE, City Engineer, City of Wisconsin Rapids
Kyle Kearns, Community Development Director, City of Wisconsin Rapids
Kristie Egge, MPH, Supervisor of Strategic Initiatives, Wood County Health Department
Hannah Wendels Scott, FoodWIse Nutrition Educator, Wood County, UW-Madison Extension

THINK Academy
Kevin Whipple, Village of Rudolph President
Christine Slattery, THINK Academy Principal, WRPS
Roland Hawk, Wood County Highway Commissioner

Grant Elementary
Sharon Schwab, Town of Grant Chairperson
Nikki Calteux, Grant Elementary Principal, WRPS
Nathan Check, Portage County Highway Commissioner

Staff
Fred Heider, AICP, Planner, North Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission

School Data
-Parent Survey AGGREGATE Results (All elementary and middle school parent surveys were tabulated together in this report.)

Wisconsin Rapids Area Middle School
-Parent Survey Results
Map 3A – Site Assessment (Not available yet.)
Map 4A – Transportation (Not available yet.)
Map 5A – School Routes (Not available yet.)
Map 6A – Recommendations (Not available yet.)

Grant Elementary
-Parent Survey Results
Map 3B – Site Assessment
Map 4B – Transportation
Map 5B – School Routes
Map 6B – Recommendations (Not available yet.)

Grove Elementary
-Parent Survey Results
Map 3C – Site Assessment (Not available yet.)
Map 4C – Transportation (Not available yet.)
Map 5C – School Routes (Not available yet.)
Map 6C – Recommendations (Not available yet.)

Howe Elementary
-Parent Survey Results
Map 3D – Site Assessment (Not available yet.)
Map 4D – Transportation (Not available yet.)
Map 5D – School Routes (Not available yet.)
Map 6D – Recommendations (Not available yet.)

Mead Elementary
-Parent Survey Results
Map 3E – Site Assessment (Not available yet.)
Map 4E – Transportation (Not available yet.)
Map 5E – School Routes (Not available yet.)
Map 6E – Recommendations (Not available yet.)

THINK Academy
-Parent Survey Results
Map 3F – Site Assessment
Map 4F – Transportation
Map 5F – School Routes
Map 6F – Recommendations (Not available yet.)

Washington Elementary
-Parent Survey Results
Map 3G – Site Assessment (Not available yet.)
Map 4G – Transportation (Not available yet.)
Map 5G – School Routes (Not available yet.)
Map 6G – Recommendations (Not available yet.)

Woodside Elementary
-Parent Survey Results
Map 3H – Site Assessment (Not available yet.)
Map 4H – Transportation (Not available yet.)
Map 5H – School Routes (Not available yet.)
Map 6H – Recommendations (Not available yet.)

Make questions or comments about the planning here.
(Email link to submit comments on this plan.)

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Vilas County Land and Water Resource Management, 2025

The Vilas County Land and Water Resource Management (LWRM) Plan is a 10-year plan (2025-2034) that provides an assessment of county water quality and soil erosion conditions, identifies local conservation priorities, and establishes conservation goals in a Work Plan.

Adopted LWRM plans ensure county eligibility for grant funding of county conservation staff and cost sharing for conservation practices.

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

November 14, 2024
9:00 am
Conference Room #B of the Vilas County Courthouse, 330 Court Street, Eagle River, Wisconsin, 54521

2024 LWRM Plan Update Process

Winter 2023 – County Land & Water Conservation Committee appoints Resource Advisory Committee.

January 2024 & September 2024 – 2 meetings for Resource Advisory Committee to assist with determining resource management direction for next 10-years.

Fall 2024 – Draft LWRM Plan assembled & reviewed by DATCP.

Fall 2024 – Draft LWRM Plan is reviewed by County Land & Water Conservation Committee for public hearing.

Fall 2024 – Draft LWRM Plan is open for public review and comment.

November 14, 2024 – Public Hearing.

Fall 2024 – Draft LWRM Plan is reviewed by Land & Water Board in Madison for approval.

Winter 2024 – LWRM Plan is adopted by County Board.

2025-2034 Plan Maps

Map 1 – Land Use
Map 2 – Land Management
Map 3 – General Soils
Map 4 – Groundwater Contamination Susceptibility
Map 5 – Soil Erosion Vulnerability
Map 6 – Basins & Watersheds
Map 7 – Designated Waters
Map 8 – Phosphorus Trends
Map 9 – Priority AIS

2025-2034 Plan Appendices

Appendix A – Public Hearing Notice
Appendix B – Nutrient Management Conservation Practice Standard
Appendix C – NR151 Performance Standards and Prohibitions Fact Sheets
Appendix D – Conservation Cost Share Program Policy – Tier Level Practices
Appendix E – Wetland Plants of Concern
Appendix F – Healthy Watersheds, High Quality Waters Maps & Tables
Appendix G – Wetland Natural Communities Table
Appendix H – Impaired Waters List – 303(d)
Appendix I – Soil Organic Carbon Maps
Appendix J – Soil Erosion Control Waiver & Resolution
Appendix K – List of Conservation Practices

DRAFT – 2025-2034 Vilas County Land & Water Resource Management Plan (5 MB)
Plan without maps or appendices. Download those above.

DRAFT with Maps & Appendices – 2025-2034 Vilas County Land & Water Resource Management Plan (40 MB)
All maps and appendices are included.

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The current 2015-2024 LWRM Plan is available HERE.

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Portage County Outdoor Recreation Plan 2025-2029

Portage County’s Parks Department updates its Outdoor Recreation Plan every 5 years to identify essential outdoor recreation needs that affect the future of outdoor recreation in the County.

This Outdoor Recreation Plan (ORP) focuses upon County managed outdoor recreation facilities, and also list projects within the towns and villages. The City of Stevens Point and Village of Plover both have ORPs which will both be referenced in this plan. All listed nature based and active recreation based projects become eligible for competitive federal and state outdoor recreation grant money when this plan is adopted by County or local municipality by resolution.

All communities that want to use this plan to apply for grants, must adopt it by resolution.

Non-profit groups, foundations, and the general public may also use this document to coordinate their own private efforts for developing outdoor recreation facilities.

2024 Planning Timeline

Winter/Spring 2024 – Staff park analysis, plans reviewed, & demographic data analysis.

Spring 2024 – Survey received 182 responses. See Summary Results HERE (21 pages).
See Detailed Results HERE (127 pages).

Summer 2024 – Goals & Objectives developed.

Fall 2024 – Draft Plan ready for review.

Winter 2024/2025 – Plan ready for approval by Park Commission and adoption by County Board.

Plan Maps

Map 1 – Outdoor Recreation
Map 2 – County Administered Outdoor Recreation
Map 3 – Legacy Places and Potential Trails
Map 4 – Urban Area Outdoor Recreation
Map 5 – Town Parks and School Forests
Map 6 – Nelsonville, Amherst Junction, & Amherst Outdoor Recreation
Map 7 – Almond Outdoor Recreation
Map 8 – Junction City Outdoor Recreation
Map 9 – Rosholt Outdoor Recreation

Plan Attachments

Attachment A – Park Design and Location Criteria
Attachment B – Facility Development Standards
Attachment C – State & Federal Financial Assistance Programs
Attachment D – SCORP Western Sands Region Analysis
Attachment E – Green Circle State Trail Map
Attachment F – Tomorrow River State Trail Map (Portage County section)
Attachment G – County Bike Plan Maps
Attachment H – Bicycle Campground Guide
Attachment I – Bicycle Campground Signage
Attachment J – Forest Legacy Areas 2024 Portage County

Portage County Outdoor Recreation Plan
placeholder for: DRAFT 2025-2029 Plan (Not available yet.)

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Rhinelander Safe Routes To School – 2024

Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programs are an opportunity to make walking and bicycling to school safer for children in grades K-8, and to increase the number of children who choose to walk and bicycle. On a broader level, SRTS programs can enhance children’s health and well-being, ease traffic congestion near the school, and improve community members’ overall quality of life.

Regional SRTS HomePedestrian SafetyResourcesBicycle SafetySRTS PSAs

Planning Process
In 2022, the North Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission and the School District of Rhinelander won a WisDOT SRTS planning grant to create a SRTS Plan for several schools in the District. In the fall of 2023, the City and District began SRTS Planning with the assistance of the North Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (NCWRPC). The NCWRPC guided the Rhinelander SRTS Task Force through the planning process.

The following schools are part of Rhinelander SRTS Planning:
James Williams Middle School
Central Elementary
Crescent Elementary
Northwoods Community Elementary
Pelican Elementary

Rhinelander SRTS Task Force
Robert Thom, Director of Business Services, School District of Rhinelander
Kyle Raleigh, Principal, James Williams Middle School
Paul Johnson, Principal, Central Elementary
Alex Bontz, Principal, Crescent Elementary
Gayle Daniel, Principal, Northwoods Community Elementary
Candice Cook, Principal, Pelican Elementary
Lloyd J. Gauthier, Jr., Chief, Rhinelander Police Department
Patrick Reagan, Rhinelander City Administrator & Dept. of Public Works Director
Fred Heider, AICP, Planner, North Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission

 School Data

James Williams Middle School
Parent Survey Results
Map 3A – Site Assessment
Map 4A – Transportation
Map 5A – School Routes
Map 6A – Recommendations (Not available yet.)

-Elementary School Parent Survey AGGREGATE Results (All elementary school parent surveys were tabulated together in this report.)

Central Elementary
-Parent Survey Results
Map 3B – Site Assessment (Not available yet.)
Map 4B – Transportation
Map 5B – School Routes
Map 6B – Recommendations (Not available yet.)

Crescent Elementary
-Parent Survey Results
Map 3C – Site Assessment (Not available yet.)
Map 4C – Transportation
Map 5C – School Routes
Map 6C – Recommendations (Not available yet.)

Northwoods Community Elementary
-Parent Survey Results
Map 3D – Site Assessment (Not available yet.)
Map 4D – Transportation
Map 5D – School Routes
Map 6D – Recommendations (Not available yet.)

Pelican Elementary
-Parent Survey Results
Map 3E – Site Assessment (Not available yet.)
Map 4E – Transportation
Map 5E – School Routes
Map 6E – Recommendations (Not available yet.)

Make questions or comments about the planning here.
(Email link to submit comments on this plan.)

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Langlade County Comprehensive Plan 2019

The Langlade County Comprehensive Plan.  The plan provides detailed information on the county and also includes all seventeen towns, a village and one city.

The Farmland Preservation Plan’s required elements are incorporated into this Langlade County Comprehensive Plan. Those required elements were revised in 2024.

Download Plan

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Wausau Safe Routes To School

Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programs are an opportunity to make walking and bicycling to school safer for children in grades K-8, and to increase the number of children who choose to walk and bicycle. On a broader level, SRTS programs can enhance children’s health and well-being, ease traffic congestion near the school, and improve community members’ overall quality of life.

Regional SRTS HomePedestrian SafetyResourcesBicycle SafetySRTS PSAs

Planning Process and Schedule

In 2018, the City of Wausau and the Wausau School District won a WisDOT SRTS planning grant to create a SRTS Plan.

In the fall of 2021, the City of Wausau and the Wausau School District began SRTS Planning with the assistance of the North Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (NCWRPC). The NCWRPC is guiding the Wausau SRTS Task Force through the planning process.

Data collection occurred in spring & summer 2022. Further analysis with the SRTS Task Force will occur throughout the 2022-2023 school year.

Plan development occurred in 2023.

Plan review and revision will occur throughout the 2023-2024 school year.

Plan adoption is anticipated in spring/summer 2024.

Implementation of the Wausau SRTS Plan can begin anytime thereafter into many years later.

Schools in Wausau SRTS Plan:

John Muir Middle School
Thomas Jefferson Elementary
Grant Elementary
G.D. Jones Elementary
Lincoln Elementary		Horace Mann Middle School
Riverview Elementary
Franklin Elementary
Hawthorn Hills Elementary
John Marshall Elementary
Wausau Safe Routes To School (SRTS) Plan

Make questions or comments about the planning here.
(Email link to submit comments on this plan.)

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Resources – Regional Safe Routes To School

HomePedestrian SafetyBicycle SafetySRTS PSAs

Keep Going! Walk & Bike Year-Round

Here is additional advice on how to sustain enthusiasm from walk-bike events to create year-round walking and biking to school:

Low-cost strategies for successful walk & bike to school rates (CDC, 2014)
—Full CDC study

FOR KIDS: NHTSA–Kids Walking Guide

FOR PARENTS (Walking): Nat’l SRTS–Teaching Kids To Walk Safely (by age)

FOR PARENTS (Biking): Portland’s Family Biking Guide (all stages of riding)

Bike Parking Guidelines

NCWRPC Walking/Biking Club Toolkit

Railroad crossing signs for SRTS in Wauwatosa, WI

School Success Story – Omro, WI (2010 population: 3,500)
    – Annual bicycle field trip;
    – bicycle mechanics program; and
    – other successes.

Walking School Buses
Walking school buses are a great way to offer children a supervised walk to school on a regular basis.

Bicycle Trains and Bicycle Skills Clinics
Bicycle trains allow students to bicycle to school together on a designated route under supervision. Bicycle Skills Clinics or “bicycle rodeos” are hands-on bicycle safety lesson with bike inspections, safety talks and bicycle skills practice.

Youth Education – available for a nominal fee [Wisconsin Bike Fed].

Adult Education – available for a nominal fee [Wisconsin Bike Fed].

Mileage Tracking
Providing a way for students to track the miles that they have walked or ridden a bicycle is a tangible way to chart progress toward a walking or biking goal.

Links to SRTS surveys:
 
Class Tally Sheet
 
Parent Survey (English)
Parent Survey (Español)
Parent Survey (Hmoob)
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Athens Elementary Safe Routes To School

Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programs are an opportunity to make walking and bicycling to school safer for children in grades K-8, and to increase the number of children who choose to walk and bicycle. On a broader level, SRTS programs can enhance children’s health and well-being, ease traffic congestion near the school, and improve community members’ overall quality of life.

Regional SRTS HomePedestrian SafetyResourcesBicycle SafetySRTS PSAs

Planning Process
In 2022, the North Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission and School District of Athens won a WisDOT SRTS planning grant to create a SRTS Plan for Athens Elementary. In the fall of 2023, the Village and Athens Elementary began SRTS Planning with the assistance of the North Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (NCWRPC). The NCWRPC guided the Athens Elementary SRTS Task Force through the planning process.

Athens Elementary SRTS Task Force
Joy Redmann, Athens Elementary Principal
Jamey Handschke, Buildings and Grounds Supervisor
Andrea Sheridan, Superintendent
Tanner Nowacki, Evening Custodian
Julie Weideman, Parent
Carla Nowak, Kindergarten Teacher
Kathy Luther, Grade 2 Teacher
Beth Steinke, Business Office Manager
Bridget Kottke, Parent
Officer Aaron Stencil, Athens Police Department
Lisa Czech, Clerk, Village of Athens
Fred Heider, Planner, North Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission

School Data
Athens Elementary
-Parent Survey Results
Map 3 – Site Assessment (Not available yet.)
Map 4 – Transportation (Not available yet.)
Map 5 – School Routes (Not available yet.)
Map 6 – Recommendations (Not available yet.)

Make questions or comments about the planning here.
(Email link to submit comments on this plan.)

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Marathon Area Elementary Safe Routes To School

Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programs are an opportunity to make walking and bicycling to school safer for children in grades K-8, and to increase the number of children who choose to walk and bicycle. On a broader level, SRTS programs can enhance children’s health and well-being, ease traffic congestion near the school, and improve community members’ overall quality of life.

Regional SRTS HomePedestrian SafetyResourcesBicycle SafetySRTS PSAs

Planning Process
In 2022, the North Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission and Marathon School District won a WisDOT SRTS planning grant to create a SRTS Plan for Marathon Area Elementary. In the fall of 2023, Marathon City and Marathon Area Elementary began SRTS Planning with the assistance of the North Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (NCWRPC). The NCWRPC guided the Marathon Area Elementary SRTS Task Force through the planning process.

Marathon Area Elementary SRTS Task Force
Richard Parks, Ed.S., District Administrator
Max Wienke, Elementary & Middle School Principal
Connor Ellenbecker, MAES/MVA Associate Principal
Brian Boehm, Director of Maintenance
Tyler Geske, Chief, Marathon City Police Department
Steve Cherek, Village Administrator – Treasurer, Village of Marathon City
Fred Heider, AICP, Planner, North Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission

 

School Data

Marathon Area Elementary School
-Parent Survey Results
Map 3A – Site Assessment (Not available yet.)
Map 4A – Transportation (Not available yet.)
Map 5A – School Routes (Not available yet.)
Map 6A – Recommendations (Not available yet.)

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Make questions or comments about the planning here.
(Email link to submit comments on this plan.)

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Spencer Safe Routes To School

Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programs are an opportunity to make walking and bicycling to school safer for children in grades K-8, and to increase the number of children who choose to walk and bicycle. On a broader level, SRTS programs can enhance children’s health and well-being, ease traffic congestion near the school, and improve community members’ overall quality of life.

 Regional SRTS Home  |   Pedestrian Safety |  Resources |  Bicycle Safety  |  PSAs

Planning Process
In 2022, the North Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission and School District of Spencer won a WisDOT SRTS planning grant to create a SRTS Plan for Spencer Elementary and Spencer Middle/High School. In the fall of 2022, Spencer and Spencer Public Schools began SRTS Planning with the assistance of the North Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (NCWRPC). The NCWRPC guided the Spencer SRTS Task Force through the planning process.

Spencer SRTS Task Force
Mike Endreas, District Administrator
Paul Hensch, Village Administrator/Clerk/Treasurer
Barb Wesle, Spencer School Board
Brooke Krause, Spencer PTA/Parent
Brad Bauer, Spencer Police Department
Edward Ikert, Spencer Elementary School Principal
Fred Heider, Planner, North Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission

Spencer Safe Routes To School (SRTS) Plan – Adopted July 2024

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Make questions or comments about the planning here.
(Email link to submit comments on this plan.)

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