Fox River Trail extension plans quietly continue County budget crisis means county probably won't have to shoulder the burden By Monique Balas News-Chronicle For those ambitious hikers and cyclists who aren't satisfied with the 13.9 miles the Fox River Trail currently offers, 11 more miles could be in place by this time next year, if everything goes as planned. "There is a tremendous amount of interest in continuing that trail," said Gary Hanson, the DNR's trails coordinator for the Northeast Region. He said the DNR extended an amendment to the county to its existing property description. A concept for extending the trail from its end in Greenleaf south to Hilbert in Calumet County is in the early stages of development but just needs to go through a few more hoops to get started, said Sean Ryan, president of the Friends of the Fox River Trail. In a few years, the trail could even connect to the Friendship Trail that runs between Appleton and Manitowoc, he said. "I think as the trail continues to get extended, it becomes part of a much larger network," Ryan said. "There's a potentially large economic benefit if we continue to extend the trail. Basically, a trail is a nice amenity for a community. A trail network is a potentially valuable tourism generator." So far, the extension to Hilbert has been approved by the state and the county Education and Recreation Committee. It is awaiting the signature of the Brown County Executive for approval, in the absence of a full-time parks director. With a tight county budget, those involved with the trail are trying to figure out how to fund Brown County's six-mile portion. State and federal grants - the way the original trail portion was funded - are the likeliest options. "I don't know if there's any county monies to speak of at all in the development funds," said Doug Hartman, Fox River Trail manager with the Brown County Park Department. "We have maintenance costs, that's why we charge a trail fee, but how this new extension would be funded, I have absolutely no idea." Ryan said he expects his group to handle grant applications, although Hanson said the DNR also will help with the grant process. The grants probably will be applied for in the spring. "There's always some concern for funding; these are competitive funds, and there's no guarantee we'll get it the first year," Hanson said. "Some of it could even depend on if they in Calumet County are able to coordinate grants ... Under the best circumstances, if we were able to find grant moneys next spring, this could be completed by this time next year if things went very well." Friends of the trail might seek private donations in addition to the grants, Ryan said. "If there's any hope of seeing extension construction, it's probably going to have to be grass-roots on the part of the Friends of the Fox River Trail," Ryan said. He said improvements to the remaining 11 miles shouldn't be too costly. The trail would follow an abandoned railroad bed and it could be useable soon if a few safety factors are put in place, Hanson said. "The entire railroad bed is still intact, all they've done is removed the railroad ties and rails," Hanson said. "The very least that would have to happen for the trail to open in that southern section is have appropriate safety signing and any bridges would have to be decked and railed - you can't just walk on exposed trestle. Beyond that, if they choose to open it for pedestrian traffic, they certainly may." Ryan expects clearing, leveling and crushed limestone screening to be the main scope of the project. "The other thing we're considering is, I've had a number of people ask about extending the pavement south of Heritage Road," Ryan said. "Basically, that would be a private-public partnership where we would seek out public donations and use it to extend asphalt." The trail is paved between Green Bay and De Pere and the remainder is gravel. If asphalt was used, though, it would mean snowmobilers couldn't use the trail, which is why the last section south of Heritage Road is covered in gravel. Those questions would have to be worked out as plans move forward. "There's no real sense of urgency to see these improvements south of Greenleaf," Ryan said, "but there's no reason to sit on it, either." The extension has been delayed by the departure of former parks director Mike McFarlane, who handled many trail issues but left for a job in Washington state. Ron Antonneau, chairman of the Brown County Education and Recreation Committee, said specific plans for the trail are uncertain because of the lack of a full-time county parks director. NEW Zoo director Neil Anderson has been splitting his duties between the zoo and the parks department, but the county has yet to name a new director. "We're waiting actually for staff to come back with thoughts and ideas," Antonneau said. "Obviously, that's going to take longer because of all the changes." Antonneau said few things would change in the trail's operation, such as who would be allowed to use it. He said his committee doesn't have any plans to look at the extension soon, unless someone brings forward a communication.