Advertisement

Wildlife viewing lane completed along County K

Error message

  • Warning: array_merge(): Expected parameter 1 to be an array, bool given in _simpleads_render_ajax_template() (line 133 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/includes/simpleads.helper.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to get property 'settings' of non-object in _simpleads_adgroup_settings() (line 343 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/includes/simpleads.helper.inc).
  • Warning: array_merge(): Expected parameter 1 to be an array, bool given in _simpleads_render_ajax_template() (line 157 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/includes/simpleads.helper.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in include() (line 24 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/templates/simpleads_ajax_call.tpl.php).

A wildlife viewing lane has recently been completed along County K just south of the intersection with Ambro Road. (Photo by Ted Pennekamp)

This is what the area looked like in 2018 after some grading work had been done. This view is looking to the south. (Photo courtesy of Crawford County)

By Ted Pennekamp

 

Those who enjoy casually viewing wildlife and waterfowl should be pleased that Gremore Lake has a new wildlife viewing lane along County K north of Prairie du Chien. 

The wildlife viewing lane concept began in 2017. There was a shoreland-wetland zoning hearing, and the Crawford County Highway Department, in November of 2017, was granted a special exception permit to build the lane on 2.03 acres to the west of County K near its intersection with Ambro Road. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources also gave its approval to create a safe area where vehicles can pull over to view wildlife and take photographs.

The project was recently completed, said Highway Commissioner Kyle Kozelka. The project consisted of clearing out some dirt, picking up some trees, branches and other debris, and then filling in to widen the west shoulder of County K with fill material, base aggregate and finishing material.

“The asphalt millings used as the finished surface were from the county’s County N project,” said Kozelka. “It’s a small project, with very little cost to the county, but it’s a nice little benefit to the taxpayers and traveling public. It gives travelers an opportunity to stop and admire the scenic beauty that is sometimes taken for granted.”

The area is a trapezoid approximately 125 feet long on the highway side and 95 feet long on the “water” side, said Crawford County Sanitation and Zoning Technician Jake Shedivy. The lane is 14 feet wide.

The Highway Department worked in partnership with Blair Dillman and Prairie Sand and Gravel, and the project was Dillman’s idea in the first place.

Shedivy said there may be some relatively low costs for signs now that the project is complete.

He said the project was done in the County K right-of-way, and involved some grading within the ordinary high water mark. The area will be maintained by the Highway Department.

Former Highway Commissioner Dennis Pelock had previously noted that the project will allow vehicles to get off the road farther and out of the walking and bicycling lane and out of traffic.

Rate this article: 
No votes yet