Douglas Park Storm Water Retention Pond

Common Council 2/7/24

The common council recently voted to build a storm water retention pond in Douglas Park. I went to the meeting in an effort to see if they had given the decision due consideration. Below is my statement and questions. Only one of my questions was addressed. Despite this pond having industrial runoff, it was stated this park will not be refined from residential to industrial.
In 1921 Harry Nelson gifted 4.3 acres to Neenah to be used as a park. If this project goes forward, the pond will be maintained by the Storm Water Utility and not the Parks department. Additionally, Engineer Kummerow stated that the landscaping will include similar tall prairie and aquatic plants along the safety shelf and all around the pond that will “prevent people from getting near the pond.” This will make the pond functionally not part of the park anymore going directly against the wishes of the Mr. Nelson.

The building of the storm water pond also calls into question the long-term planning that is going into the storm water retention and treatment system in Neenah. The Harrison retention pond, which is the backup area for the Douglas pond, opened less than a year ago at a current but climbing cost of $1.8 million and cannot meet the stormwater needs just 5 blocks away.

The park is currently 4.3 acres, according to the illustration it appears 30% of the land will be lost to the wet pond area, and maybe 50-60% will be lost to the safety shelf. This despite the Current Comprehensive Plan indicating the intent to purchase property near Douglas park forexpansion (pg6-15). As Director Haese stated, there is no statutory requirement for the public to be notified but it seems that transparency with the residence on the following questions would help build trust and confidence.

Will the park area that is to be given to the Storm Water Utility need to be Rezoned from R1 residential to I2 General Industrial District like the Harrison Retention pond?

This is designed to be an 8’ deep pond; with 68% of Neenah having less than 2’ depth to ground water, exactly how many square feet of park will be lost to this pond given the water table in the area?

Exactly how many square feet of park will be lost to the Safety Shelf around the pond?

How many cubic feet of water will Galloway produce at peak runoff?

How many cubic feet of water will Commercial Street produce at peak runoff?

How many cubic feet of water will the proposed connection to Henry Street produce at peak runoff?

How many cubic feet per hour will this pond be able to filter?

How many cubic feet of water will the proposed pond be able to take in before flooding or transferring to the Harrison street pond?

What are the anticipated needs for Neenah storm water retention and filtering in the next 5, 10, or 20 years?

These retention ponds only collect contamination, they do nothing to mitigate pollutants. Are there any plans to expand water treatment facilities to take in and treat storm water?

Common Council meeting recording 2/7/24

Douglas Park Storm Water Retention Pond

Public Services & Safety 2/13/24

The Public Services and Safety meeting was also going to address the Storm water pond and I once again wanted to verify the diligence of the members. Below is my statement and questions. None of which were answered.

Has anyone on this council gone to the park to visualize how much of it will be lost to this pond?

Has anyone on this council gone to the neighborhood and talk to the individuals whose literal backyard is going to impacted by this?

Engineer Kemmerow stated his staff was engaged by Galloway, was the idea of developing the retention pond on Galloway property discussed at all?

Would the Galloway expansion be possible without converting Douglas Park into a retention pond?

I saw that a partial barrier made from 42” decorative aluminum fencing has been added to the design dated February 8th. While this fence will not prevent access it will block a child from running directly to the pond from the existing playground, which is a slight improvement. However, will this fence also obstruct visibility of the pond if a child were to go to the other side of the fencing.

How hot will the Hot Water Discharge be? Will this have a negative impact on the biome within the Pond? Could this harm any wildlife that may occupy the pond?

The plans indicate connecting to the Commercial Street Storm Sewer on the Northeast corner and another connection that exits south along the park entry, out to Douglas Street then to Commercial. If we are connecting under Douglas Street to Commercial, why would we request an easement from Galloway to connect in the Northeast corner and intentionally construct through an existing wetland?

Engineer Kemmerow stated that storm water will first discharge into the Douglas Pond and then cycle through to the Harrison Street Pond. These current plans have the pipes to the Northwest to be designed by others. If we are planning to connect these ponds, why wouldn’t we include those plans and construction to coincide with this project?

I would also like to ask for a more detailed explanation as to why the park area that is to be given to the Storm Water Utility does not need to be Rezoned from R1 residential to I2 General Industrial District like the Harrison Retention Pond.

What are the anticipated needs for Neenah storm water retention and filtering in the next 5, 10, or 20 years? It doesn’t seem that dedicating valuable real estate to wet or dry ponds is the most effective use of property. Additionally, these retention ponds only collect contaminants, they do nothing to mitigate the solids left behind in these ponds. Are there any plans to expand water treatment facilities to take in and treat storm water?

Public Services & Safety Committee minutes 2/13/24

Douglas Park Storm Water Retention Pond

Common Council 2/7/24

Douglas Park Storm Water Retention Pond

Public Services & Safety 2/13/24

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