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Sheboygan County Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation and Open Space Plan - Update 2004
Leisure time is an important component of our daily lives; whether we live in urban centers or less populated rural areas. Shorter work hours, more disposable income, early retirement options, and longer life spans have led to an increased demand for leisure activities, including outdoor recreation. Because of the increased usage of existing outdoor recreation facilities, there is a need to provide for the increasing recreational demand of our changing society. The decisions we make to address these increasing demands must, at the same time, be considerate of protecting and enhancing natural resources for future generations. Many outdoor recreational opportunities are available in Sheboygan County's local communities that make them great places to live. There are trails, campgrounds, parks, playgrounds, and areas for hunting and fishing that provide a vast array of recreational opportunities for residents and tourists alike. The Sheboygan County Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation and Open Space Plan, first developed in 1975, has been updated approximately every five years. These updates allow the County and participating communities to react to changing recreation demands and be recertified for State and Federal aid eligibility. Since 1975 approximately $2.6 million has been awarded to local communities and Sheboygan County for the development and enhancement of recreational opportunities. This plan is intended to serve as a guide to local communities and Sheboygan County in the maintenance and development of outdoor recreation facilities in order to provide a quality outdoor recreation experience for residents and non-residents alike. The update will explore the recreational needs and projects for the next five years and beyond. In addition to guidance, this plan, when adopted by local communities and Sheboygan County, provides a five year eligibility for participation in the State of Wisconsin Stewardship Program which includes the following specific grant programs for local communities: Urban Green Space, Aids for Development of Local Parks, Recreation Trail Act, Urban Rivers, Streambank Protection, and the Land and Water Conservation Fund. These programs are administered by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and can be used to assist in the acquisition and development of new outdoor recreation facilities as well as for upgrading existing recreational facilities to meet the standards of the Americans with Disability Act or other safety standards. This plan also provides eligibility for Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LAWCON) and other grant possibilities as they arise.