ELLSWORTH – Ellsworth residents, now is your chance to have your opinions heard (and not just on the Ellsworth WI Community Happenings Page). The Village of Ellsworth is completing an Outdoor Recreation Plan and wants area residents’ feedback in an online survey.

According to Village President Becky Beissel, Ellsworth’s Parks & Recreation Committee first met with Mississippi River Regional Planning Executive Director Jon Bingol in March 2023 to discuss the opportunity for them to create a Complete Outdoor Recreation Plan (CORP) for the Village of Ellsworth.

The plan will inventory the current facilities, identify needs/wants, and involve the community via a public survey. It will serve as a guide in preserving, developing and improving Ellsworth’s outdoor spaces to meet present and future community needs. Public participation is critical.

“It is important for community members to fill out the public survey because their input ensures the plan accurately reflects the community's needs, preferences, and priorities,” Beissel said. “By participating, residents can directly influence the development and improvement of recreational facilities, ensuring they meet diverse interests. This type of engagement also fosters a sense of ownership and stewardship, leading to better-maintained and utilized spaces.”

The village hopes to receive 400 responses by June 7. The results will be shared when the final report is written and presented to the village, tentatively in July.

The CORP is the first step in the village’s outdoor recreation planning process, Beissel said.

“Next, we will create a specific plan for each of our parks, focusing on maximizing the potential of Summit and East End Parks through strategic planning, intentional layout, and prioritized maintenance,” Beissel said. “The projects that emerge from our CORP and Parks Plan will depend on the feedback we receive from the community survey. During the public engagement for our 2022 Comprehensive Plan update, several projects were highlighted, including trails, additional playground equipment, and pavilions. Given the growing popularity of pickleball, we anticipate strong support for incorporating pickleball courts as well.”

This is the first time the village has had a CORP, to the best of her knowledge, Beissel said. A CORP is a strategic framework that assesses community needs for recreational facilities, guiding resource allocation and planning to enhance quality of life, support environmental conservation, and boost economic development. It ensures sustainable use of natural resources, promotes physical and mental health, and fosters social connections by providing accessible, inclusive recreational opportunities. A CORP encourages local stewardship and volunteerism, strategically manages growth, and attracts tourism and new businesses, thereby contributing to the community's overall well-being and economic vitality. “Additionally, having a CORP will allow the Village of Ellsworth to address future outdoor recreation needs and projects more effectively and apply for various grant opportunities, such as Wisconsin DNR recreation grants, which typically requires a CORP for eligibility,” Beissel added.

Surveys can be completed online here: https://bit.ly/EllsworthWIParkSurvey