Muskego considers taking quicker path to new trail

Muskego - A recreational trail segment planned for Racine Avenue in 2014 could take shape next year if the Muskego Parks and Recreation Board can work it into next year's budget.

The trail, estimated to cost $250,000 to $300,000, would extend from the 7900 block of Racine, near Culver's Restaurant, to Woods Road, where Muskego High School is located.

Craig Anderson, the city's parks and recreation director, said the board wanted to do the trail earlier than planned because so many people including high school students use Racine Avenue and traffic there is fast.

It would make it easier for students to get to and from school and would provide a safe place to walk for pedestrians in general and for those going to special events at Veterans Park, city officials added.

The trail, which would likely be on the west side of the street, would link up with the east-west trail that goes all the way through Muskego and lies beside Culver's. It also would link up with other trails, including the Janesville Road trail that will be constructed as part of the Janesville Road widening project going on now.

Alderman Dan Soltysiak who strongly advocated for the trail, applauded the board's June 11 decision, especially for safety reasons.

During citywide events at Veterans Park beside City Hall, Soltysiak said he has seen large numbers of people walking on busy Racine Avenue to the festival grounds, presumably because they couldn't find parking closer to the grounds.

"This will bring in very large numbers of people without having to walk on a very busy highway during those events," Soltysiak said.

The trail also will connect with several other trails, bringing populated parts of the city together and connecting with the Janesville Road trail to an important business district, he said. Not only that, the new trail would be the first north-south bike route on the city's west side, he added.

The city's trail system consists of 8-foot wide paths that are shared by pedestrians and bicycles.