On the Boardwalk: Coal Dock Park Project Continues

Progress on Coal Dock Park is moving right along as officials on Tuesday night approved the purchase of hardward and lumber for a planned boardwalk and look-out docks.

The total budget for the boardwalk project is $80,000 — with half of that coming from a Coastal Management Grant — and the lumber and hardware will cost just less than $25,000.

The entire Coal Dock Park project entails work on two areas: the north coal dock and south coal dock. The latter, which opened late last summer, includes a bird sanctuary and walking trails accessible from South Beach.

The north coal dock area will be accessible by car from Wisconsin Street, by the Interurban Bike Trail or even by simply tying up your boat there. Here's a rundown of the park's proposed features:

• Expanded marina space;
• Promenade;
• Fishing access;
• Harbor walk;
• Pedestrian bridge connecting the north and south coal docks;
• Wisconsin Street "gateway" to the park;
• and naturalization of Sauk Creek.

A pavilion honoring drowning victims Tyler Buczek and Peter Dougherty has also been proposed on the space, and a WWII Veteran Memorial was dedicated last fall.