AYA eyes further park improvements

After another busy summer, the Arcadia Youth Association (AYA) is looking to make more improvements to city parks.

Dettloff Park received much of the attention during the meeting, but AYA representatives Melissa Gamez and Josh Grzadzielewski said there was an issue with people getting hit with foul balls at the Memorial Park fields. Gamez said AYA would be willing to purchase an awning to put over bleachers that are located between the two fields. She said people were getting hit from behind with foul balls from one field while they were watching games on another field. 

“We would be happy to purchase the awnings, but would need help installing them,” Gamez said. 

Club members also suggested possible upgrades to the concession stand at Memorial Park.

“I think we definitely need to start looking at a plan for the concession stand,” Gamez said. “A replacement stand is going to be needed in the future. It is small, there isn’t a lot of space, the wood storage units we keep equipment in are looking rough.” 

She mentioned the shelter at Orville Dusso Park in Ettrick as something the city could try to replicate. She said it is “gorgeous,” and it provides shelter and more space for both concessions and storage.

Grzadzielewski noted how much the stand at Memorial Park is used throughout the summer by AYA as well as Broiler-Dairy Days and Ashley for the Arts. 

Council member Jason Lockington suggested the club could look for sponsors to help fund a new stand. 

In the more immediate future, the club is looking at adding more space to the infield at Dettloff Park. 

The park has received numerous upgrades, was used more often last year and the club plans to utilize the field even more going forward. A new backstop was added behind home plate, but they’ve found that the space between the plate and the backstop can be a bit cramped for games with umpires.

The club plans to extend the infield by four feet, which will require some tilling. Street Superintendent Rollie Conrad said his department could assist with the work. 

Another issue was for spectators. Grzadzielewski said there are bushes that block the view of anyone pulling out of the area. Council members said those bushes are privately owned, so the city could not trim them. The other idea Grzadzielewski pitched was potentially creating another entrance and parking area through a city-owned lot on Fairfield Avenue. The city would have to remove the curb to allow people to drive through the lot. 

The club is also looking at getting dugouts fenced in at the park.

In addition to the backstop, the club had electricity installed in a shelter at Dettloff Park, which allows the group to sell concession items. 

“There are a lot of great upgrades to the park and you’re making it happen,” Mayor John Kimmel told Gamez and Grzadzielewski. “You’re doing it and it is very much appreciated.”

Gamez and Grzadzielewski both expressed appreciation to the city for their assistance. 

“You’re not making it impossible to try to have a youth program,” Grzadzielewski said. 

Grzadzielewski said AYA is considering changing the league it plays in, going from a Jackson County league to a Trempealeau County league. It would compete against all of the Trempealeau County teams in addition to clubs from Cochrane-Fountain City, Mondovi and, possibly, Augusta. It would no longer play league games against teams from Black River Falls, Melrose and Alma Center Lincoln.

In other matters the council:

• Approved a bid of $44,727.23 from Gerke Excavating for replacing storm sewers and catch basins on two sections of Main Street. One is located on West Main Street near Express Mart and the other near the fire station. Gerke’s bid was the lowest by more than $5,000. 

• Approved a resolution to apply for a cost-sharing grant from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to plant trees in the city. The grant application was due at midnight the night of the meeting. 

• Members heard that more than 25,000 pounds of electronic waste was collected at an e-recycling event held in partnership with Ashley Furniture Industries lin June. The event generated a recycling credit of $865.95, which Ashley officials requested be put toward tree planting and other green initiatives related to Memorial Park. 

• Approved creating a checking account for the Arcadia Police Department.

• Voted to table an appointment to the city utility commission. Kimmel said he had been considering the matter for multiple weeks, but hadn’t come to a decision. Commissioner Tim Killian’s term is expiring. 

“When you’ve got people that you like and respect and there is a desire to serve from two different people, it is a difficult decision,” Kimmel said.