The city of Baraboo is planning a conservancy with nature trails on part of the 128-acre parcel it announced in late March would likely be used to develop additional housing.
Baraboo Common Council members unanimously approved an application to fund the first phase of the project during their meeting Tuesday.
Mike Hardy, director of the city Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department, said department staff members are applying for a grant to cover the estimated cost of $185,000 for phase one of the Conservancy Trails Development Project.
T.J. Howell performs a unicycle act during the Razzle-Dazzle Revue variety show in 2001 in the Hippodrome at Baraboo’s Circus World. Contributed by Circus World Museum.
“We’re feeling pretty good about this one just because of the work it involves,” Hardy said. “Trails right now are really big in getting funded.”
The Stewardship Grant would be provided through the state Department of Natural Resources as a 50% matching grant. Half would be paid for through the grant funding and the remaining $92,500 would be covered by in-kind services like volunteer labor and use of equipment, as well as future developer park impact fees gained through granting permits for building on the property.
The parcel on the eastern outskirts of the city is commonly referred to as the “Jackson Property” and was purchased by the city in 2001 for $1.2 million. It has since sat undeveloped, though the city had considered selling it in the past.
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