A look at the Doty Park shoreline restoration work which began after Labor Day. September 18, 2025. PC: Fox 11 Online
NEENAH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Since Labor Day, the city of Neenah has been getting to work at Doty Park, reinforcing the old waterfront.
“A few years back, we recognized that the sea wall was failing,” said Michael Kading, director of parks and recreation. “So in 2023, we hired a design and engineering firm to help give us some concept plans, which then led to budgeting for the improvement of the shorelines both here and at Doty.”
That budget was aided by a $1 million grant from the DNR for the work. The project in total will cost around $1.5 million.
Neenah Parks said the price was lower than expected for the city’s budget.
“The city budgeted actually $3.1 million, so when the project came in at almost 1.3 — let’s call it 1.3 — we were very surprised and were able to add on to that project and get more work done,” explained Kading.
The additions include a new reinforced sea wall and dedicated outcrops that could be used for fishing. Kading said the eroding wall led to sinkholes around the waterfront, which were unpredictable and unsafe.
“Wasn’t very kind when you had sinkholes and areas of shoreline that weren’t there, especially in the winter when you can’t see that, and, whoop, you fall into a hole,” he said. “That just wasn’t safe for our guests, our fishermen and anyone who was visiting the park.”
Safety isn’t the only driving force behind the reinforcement. Kading said that the water habitat has been affected by the failing sea wall, too.
“It’s going to improve the habitat and stabilize that shoreline, so we don’t keep eroding soil into the Fox River. It doesn’t need any help from us,” he said.
The project is expected to finish later this fall into early winter.
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