Before long the messy construction phase along the old rail corridor will be a memory. Help us beautify the finished path by making suggestions and sharing ideas to improve the area for all users. Come to the organizational meeting April 25 from 7-9 at the Cherokee Heights Middle School Cafeteria to help form the Friends of the Southwest Bike/Ped Path.

The goal of the multi-neighborhood group will be to enhance the safe and enjoyable use of the path. To that end we'll work to maintain and beautify the corridor in an ecologically responsible manner in order to promote enjoyment by diverse user groups and adjoining property owners.

The Friends organization will coordinate activities and fundraising to support this mission. The meeting April 25 will be to discuss the group's organization and functions with a short presentation followed by time for questions and answers. (Construction questions will be answered on the DMNA website www.dmna.org/bike_path.shtml so that the time in this meeting can be focused on organization and planting.) Since the bike/ped path travels along the northwestern boundary of the Dudgeon-Monroe neighborhood for approximately 2.2 miles, our neighborhood has the opportunity to create a pleasurable environment. But we will need the suggestions and help of others in the surrounding neighborhoods. We will especially welcome those who will be passing through our neighborhood along the path and would like to help improve the area no matter where they live.

We will discuss the preliminary plans for planting in the major areas such as the Odana entrance to the Dudgeon-Monroe neighborhood, the slope near the MG&E substation near Glenway, the knotweed hillside mid-Gregory St. opposite the cemetery, the green space at Fox and Sheldon Sts., and the "cow pass" at Hillington Green. The Capital Funds collected during our last membership drive will provide the funds for planting these areas plus other improvements we would like to make. Also, MG&E has made a generous contribution to our efforts. But the discussion will not be limited to areas in the Dudgeon-Monroe neighborhood.

At the meeting on April 25, displays and information will be available on plants and landscaping in your own backyards. We hope to have vendors available with offers for bulk orders, especially of understory trees native to Wisconsin. Homeowners may then be able to join with others to buy bare root stock at the bulk rate. Take a trip to Sequoya or Monroe St. libraries and browse through the three-ringed notebooks, which are filled with ideas and advice. Even if you aren't along the trail, you can use the information found there for your own yard. Feel free to copy any of the information.

The School is located at 4301 Cherokee Drive (corner of Cherokee and Midvale). For further information or questions, call or email Sue Reindollar, ssreindo@facstaff.wisc.edu, or Paul Beckett, pbeckett@facstaff.wisc.edu. Spread the word and hope to see you there April 25 from 7-9.

http://www.dmna.org/bikepath/bike_friends_organize.shtml
Last Modified: 03-Feb-08 05:53 PM

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