Lepper Dam Island to Get a Fresh Look

Although they aren’t the official falls of Menomonee Falls, the waterfall over Lepper Dam and are signature scene for downtown visitors. That’s why the village will give the island in front of the dam a facelift this summer.

Currently, the small naturally formed island in front of the dam is host to a variety of overgrown plants and weeds. Later this summer, crews from Johnson’s Nursery in Menomonee Falls will tame the island’s vegetation and install new landscaping.

“The main focus was to add color year-round to that area,” said Brian Thomas with Johnson’s Nursery. “We chose drought tolerant and low-maintenance plants native to this particular region and the soils.”

The island will feature some ornamental trees, evergreens, perennial plants and shrubs. Thomas said plants were selected so that something would be blooming in all seasons. In addition to the plants, LED lights will also be installed to light the plantings and the waterfall.

The village contracted Johnson’s Nursery to complete the project, and Director of Community Development Matthew Carran said the project will cost the about $40,000. Crews will begin work in August, and it is expected to take about a week to finish.

Carran said this landscaping project fits in with the village’s overall goal of improving the Main Street corridor from U.S. Highway 41/45 and into the Village Centre. , and are other large components of this revitalization effort.

Carran said one of the focal points of downtown is Mill Pond Park and the waterfall over the dam. Numerous events are held in the park, and new restaurants like A.J. O’Brady’s and Angelo’s Café Vino are bringing more visitors to downtown.

“If we are going to have all these events and visitors down, let’s dress the island up a bit, draw some attention to it and make it a focal point,” Carran said. “We want to have our best foot forward when people visit the village.”

Thomas said workers will spray an aquatic-friendly vegetation killer on the island to wipe out the overgrown weeds. After the landscaping project is complete, the company will apply the weed killer a few more times to make sure the plantings get a good start and are established.

After that, Carran said the village will take charge of continued, long-term maintenance of the island landscaping once installation is complete.