Tuesday is Save The Milwaukee County Grounds Day

Speak up, show up.

Don't let the last remaining piece of high quality natural area in the County Grounds be destroyed!  Tell your Wauwatosa Common Council Representatives, "No new roads, no new development on our County Grounds!" ACT NOW Write your Wauwatosa Common Council Representatives, today! As written, Wauwatosa's proposed Life Sciences District Master Plan contains two major points of concern. 1) The conceptual plan includes a new thoroughfare connecting UWM’s Innovation Park with the Village of Wauwatosa, just north of and parallel to Watertown Plank Road, called "Scenic Parkway." The roadway is unnecessary and would bisect what is currently the last remaining high-quality natural areas on the County Grounds known as “Sanctuary Woods.”  Several new roads have also been proposed to bisect the parcel north to south. The road would specifically destroy the wintering habitat for long eared owls, butler garter snake dens, and habitat for monarch butterflies. The new roads would fragment wildlife corridors and create barriers for frogs, snakes, salamanders, and flying squirrels. 2) The area to the south of the new "Scenic Parkway" between the new road and Watertown Plank Road would also be slated for development, as well as several parcels north of the new road that would be slated for high-rise development. New development will likely mean an increase in impervious surfaces and, consequently, an increase in stormwater runoff, which could increase the amount of pollution that enters an already impaired section of the Menomonee River that runs just north of this area.  While the plan is still in its conceptual stage of development, if it is approved, it will be incorporated into the City’s comprehensive plan and will move on to design, engineering, and eventual construction. Milwaukee Riverkeeper has been working to protect the County Grounds for more than 20 years and we know how important this piece of land is to our Milwaukee River Basin residents. The residents of Wauwatosa and Milwaukee County have used this area for decades and value this area for the recreational opportunities it provides. There is no need or desire for high-density development in this part of Wauwatosa. The Wauwatosa Common Council should oppose the proposed new Scenic Parkway, other proposed roads, and plans for high-density development in the northeast quadrant of the County Grounds. The undeveloped natural areas north of Watertown Plank Road should be rezoned to ensure wildlife habitat, water quality, and recreational opportunities are protected for future generations. We also encourage our supporters to mark you calendars and attend the meeting on Tuesday, February 7, 2017. Public Meeting on Life Sciences District Master Plan Tuesday, February 7, 2017 5:30-7:30 pm Wauwatosa City Hall 7725 W. North Avenue Wauwatosa, WI 53213  ADD TO CALENDAR: iCalendar  •  Google Calendar  •  Outlook  •  Outlook Online  •  Yahoo! Calendar P.S. Donate today to help our continued efforts to protect the County Grounds and other natural areas in our watershed! DONATE