Is $4 million worth paving a trail? Seems like to some folks it is not. How do others feel? How often do you use the Bugline?

Just because part of the cost is from Federal Dollars, doesn't make it the right thing to do. Even Federal money is OUR money, why throw it away just so it gets used?

What a waste, stop spending my money which you really don't have in the first place. Have you seen the debt you created?

So who pays for the maintenance? Sure is a lot cheaper to fill a hole in limestone than asphalt.

Next up lowest bid union contractor takes $4 million, paves a $2 million dollar trail and gets a new wing on the house.

I can understand a need for paving it to make it more accessible, but at the same time, paving it makes the trail less usable for horseback riding and jogging, insofar as both 2-foots and 4-foots take more pounding than they should on asphalt. To me, it would make sense to design the project such that half the width is paved and the other half not.

I use the Bugline for both running and biking and I am very glad to see that this is moving forward. After heavy rains portions of the trails gravel has been washed away making it somewhat treacherous if not careful and there will no longer be standing areas of water. Can't wait for this project to be completed!

The beauty of that trail IS its natural state. We have paved sidewalks and park trails throughout our local municipalities that offer easy-riding terrain for jogging strollers and roller blades. I've biked the entire trail many times with my kids and enjoyed the experience, including the occasional mud puddle and rut. The only place I've found it to be muddy on occasion is a short section next to Menomonee Park. It seems a shame and a waste of money to put an unnatural surface down on this natural trail. Now when it rains, you'll smell petroleum rather than refreshed, wet earth.

It's natural beauty will be impacted negatively once again. Most likely the result will be loss of more of the wild flowers that lined the trail in spring, summer and fall.

Why not install a moving sidewalk if we have so much free money out there?

Lots of needy children could get warm jackets, or hungry families have food on the table with that kind of money. Perhaps, send it to pay down some debt (or interest to China)...lots of ideas instead of more government WASTE.

I've done a lot of biking & running in my day on the bugline and I could go either way. I question why does it have to be paved 10' wide, couldn't we get by with 8' and have a little room on the side for running on a softer surface when you want to do a change of pace or mountain biking or horseback riding. That 2' could save some substantial dollars and you would still have a nice paved trail. I would like to see it more user friendly where it would connect to the Mill Pond and you continue to ride the paved trail currently along the river through Lime Kiln Park, past Trenary Field & Rotary Park. It seems to come to an abrupt end at Appleton Ave, and if you not aware to go to Shady Lane and thru the apartment complex you would never know it goes further. Also, wouldn't it make economic sense to connect it with downtown Village Centre, I'm sure some business could prosper from it, they do in Merton.

I have had issues when biking on the trail in the past. Dog walkers block the entire trail and if they are moving the same direction as the biker- they don't see you coming. I think pavement may make the trail less safe.
The biggest issue here is people seem to think Federal dollars are free money, in reality it comes from all of us. This use it or lose it mentality regarding funds has created a huge mess.
Pavement requires repairs, that cost will fall 100% on our backs.

I would prefer for them to improve the trail instead of pave it. Fix the areas that wash out, add a few benches, maybe some toilets along the way. I actually like biking and running on the gravel as it is. And pushing a stroller on the surface works just fine. I live on the far northeast corner of the Falls and would love if they extended the Bugline over the pedestrian bridge (that needs work too) and down the old rail bed behind Harley.

Crushed limestone is easier on my legs/knees. I'm surprised dedicated runners or walkers haven't been in strong opposition.

ARE YOU SERIOUS?! Okay, obviously you people are not runners, because if you were you would understand how treacherous and how much concrete hurts when you pound and pound on it. We runners appreciate this trail often because it does not hurt our feet and knees as much. Seriously..have you ever heard of tendinitis?! KEEP this beautiful state landmark exactly as it is. The government is already hugely in debt, why make it even worse?!

I am simply astounded that someone would even suggest destroying this. Do you know how many people you will be upsetting? Do you even care?! Look around you, there are precious few nature trails around you, don't destroy one that everyone loves.
PEOPLE, I tell you, if you let them pave the bugline, then you are not using your voice. If you let them do this, then say goodbye to the glacier trails, Monches...all of them. They will all eventually become paved. And it will be your fault

Good idea = Redo Shady lane or Menomonee

Bad idea = Give Obama a blank check to a thing called stimulus.

Dad 4 life with your marathon training I'm sure you are running very far and long. If you run 12+ miles on asphalt your knees will basically be torn to shreds and will be more likely to have knee replacement surgery in the future. Knee replacement surgery vs gravel trail. Also these tax dollars were spending on this project is rediculous. We have other and better things to be spending it on. Were also in debt up the wazoo. Also for the bikers, i don't know why you guys are complaining because that is the most even leveled trail for bikes around here. Im sure your tires will be fine.

Carl and Andy, nice article. In terms of following the existing money trail, did u get a chance to contact the folks doing the design and planning? Also, who proposed this project in the first place? Hopefully u can answer these in a follow-up article.

RINO's spending Obama $$$$ ..

I can't believe you would even suggest paving the bugline. I agree with Eugene, I run on this beautiful trail all the time and would be highly upset if you ruin it. Go ruin some other trail, just not this one. seriously, do you even know or care how many people yuou will be upsetting?!!?! the bugline is a part of our community. you will tear a hole in that commutalistic relationship

I live along the bugline & have direct access to it. I run on it, walk it, and LOVE its natural beauty & kindness to my knees.. Yes it gets wet & soupy but that's the natural beauty of it.. I think its a waste of money to pave it & will not appreciate the increased width when it will mean clear cutting even MORE brush & trees to make it 10 feet wide. And "more accessible to strollers" is just an excuse. Most parents i know have a 3 wheeled stroller (like i do) which glides smoothly over the limestone when running while pushing your children.. its not broke; don't fix it! And Couldn't this money be spent on better things like paving roads?!!

That ribbon of pavement could cause excessive runoff problems for homeowners along the trail. Those people should know who they should file suit against for damages? The County must have insurance and will assume liability for that, right?
;-P

What an absolute disappointment. Really great of the county to listen to the people! This will entirely change the bug trail to something quite different. Different path, different users. It is such a nice trail how it is. Just because a plan is "on the books" for a long while doesn't make it a good reason to go ahead with such an unnecessary and even negative project. Spending dollars we could use elsewhere to in my view worsen the trail! I agree with others that if you want to spend money on the trail, spend it to improve sections that may wash out, or add benches. And ten feet wide! You've got to be kidding. This makes me lose much confidence in the Waukesha County Parks Department.

Thanks to Robert Hutton for opposing this. Is there nothing else we can do? I took the time last fall to write a letter to the county about this, something I rarely do. I received no response.

This is sad news. I grew up a few blocks away from the Bug Line and I remember taking nature walks during my days at Shady Lane. Yes, paving the Bug Line can open it to "more opportunities", but is that what we really want? By limiting access to walkers, runners, cyclists and the like, we keep the essence of the Bug Line focused on appreciating the nature. I'm an AVID cyclist and I ride the Bug Line daily in summer. Of course there are a few rough spots, but they don't hold a candle to some of the deteriorating streets of MF. Why not spend this money on actually fixing THESE roads? The majority of the Menomonee River Parkway has sidewalk, if we're worried about strollers or wagons. Keep the Bug Line as close to nature as it is. We're lucky to have such a unique trail in our community, so why are we leaping to fix something that definitely isn't broken.

What I don't get it why ruin something when people are perfectly content with how it is in the first place?!?!

The Bug Line is a natural trail - beauty in one of the few places within the Village limits that makes you feel like you are really outdoors and away from the rush of normal life....the trail is great just the way it is. Spend the $$$'s on some benches and/or bathrooms along the trail - tha would be much more appreciated than pavement.

Because it is a done deal and is already planned:
I would ask who is going to get the contract to pave it? AND how are they related to whom on the County Board?

This pavement is not good for the true runners or taxpayers! Another path taken away from the cross country teams of taxpaying Arrowhead residents. I think the sport should be called road warriors. Ask your doctor if you put in alot of miles if that pavement is better then limestone? Our family walks, bikes and runs. This path was perfect for all those needs. When it gets paved who has to pay to keep up with the high cost of repair? We don't have local government that clears snow off walkways to school for the walkers, why would we think they will keep it clear during winter for running?

Do you ever watch those shows when they give someone a FREE high price house that does not have a job? I do not want something that feels FREE when I understand our responsibility for a higher cost of keep up.

(Joni) I am vehemently against paving the Bugline. I am a resident of Menomonee Falls and I live just a few blocks from the trail. My family and friends use the Bugline extensively and we LOVE it just the way it is! I am with you, Richard, the so-called "public servants" are not doing their job which is supposed to be SERVING THE PUBLIC!!! I have launched a campaign I call: "Friends of the Bugline" and our motto is: "SAVE THE BUGLINE, DON'T PAVE THE BUGLINE". We campaigned last Sat. at the Waukesha Expo and were able to obtain over 130 signatures in just 2 hours. Most of the people we talked to didn't even know what was going on and they were outraged to hear of it! I and others will be campaigning again this Sat. at the "Chili Fest" in Meno. Falls. I have asked Co. Supervisor, Robert Hutton to join us if he can. Please come and spread the word. We need to make our voices heard!

Hello, Richard and other "Friends of the Bugline"! My husband & I attended "Chilly Fest" yesterday and we had an overwhelming response from the people there that they DO NOT WANT THE BUGLINE PAVED!!! As I talk with people in our community, I find that the most asked question is: "Why would they want to do that?" When I tell them the reasons, they respond with: "That just isn't a good use of our tax dollars and I like it the way it is. It has natural beauty." We will continue to get the word out to the community as I am finding a lot of people are not aware of this project.

Hello Joan, Thank you for doing a great job at the "Chili Fest", unfortunately I couldn't get there as my wife was in the hospital. Hope to cross paths with you and sign he petition.