Ribbon cutting for the new Ashwaubomay River Trail Bridge in Ashwaubenon, June 18, 2024. PC: Fox 11 Online
ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — In Ashwaubenon, officials dedicated a new bridge this Tuesday morning.
The project is decades in-the-making.
For those on the southern section of the new Ashwaubomay River Trail Bridge, the ribbon cutting was worth the work.
Tracy Flucke says she was there from the beginning.
“I started as the Parks and Recreation Director in 1993, for the Village of Ashwaubenon. And at that time, our outdoor recreation plan called for a bridge over Ashwaubenon Creek, into Ashwaubomay Park, said Tracy Fluke, Ashwaubenon Village Trustee.
Flucke says it took years for the village to acquire easements and some surrounding properties.
“And it’s like, okay. Now it’s to the point where it just needed to occur,” she said.
“In total, the bridge project was about $2.1, $2.2 million dollars,” said Rex Mehlberg, Ashwaubenon Parks, Recreation & Forestry Director.
Rex Mehlberg says village tax subsidies, a Department of Natural Resources Grant and $150,000 dollars from the David and Rita Nelson Fund helped pay for the project. Ann Englehard is with the Community Foundation.
“It’s just stunningly beautiful. So, we could not be be happier with how this has turned out. And the gift to the community that we were a part of through the Nelson Fund,” said Ann Englehard, Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region.
“We’ve got a nice overlook on the bridge as well, where people can sit, and look out and be out of the way of the actual trail, and it’ll be some nice features for everyone,” said Mehlberg.
“To see this go in, and see any kind of accommodations that make it easier for people to walk and bike in the community, and in the greater Green Bay area, is a plus,” said Flucke.
Work on the trails at Ashwaubomay Park continues.
Village leaders say the next phase includes connecting the current system to the Brown County Fairgrounds, just upstream in De Pere.
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