Supervisor Steve F. Taylor has introduced a proposal to restore the Bender Park Boat Launch by allocating funds from the county’s contingency reserves and surplus McKinley Beach safety funds. According to Milwaukee County, Taylor is advocating for the transfer of $241,418 from county contingency funds, along with $100,000 from excess safety funds, to support dredging and rehabilitation efforts at the boat launch, which serves both recreational boaters and emergency response needs.
Emphasizing the urgency of the situation, Taylor stated in a press release, "The Bender Park Boat Launch has become just that, an emergency." He also noted the importance of public safety, adding, "Human life is worth more than $241,000," in support of immediate action to ensure safe access to and from Lake Michigan for emergency responders. His resolution points to the absence of dredging at Bender Park over the past two summers, which has contributed to delays, increased expenses, and the current request for additional funding to meet essential safety requirements.
In the past, the Bender Park Boat Launch, operational since 1999, has been essential during hazardous lake conditions. However, substantial sediment buildup has obstructed access, mandating dredging in 2007, 2011, and 2013. The site currently remains inoperative due to the latest sediment overflow. The 2024 Capital Budget had allocated $802,500 for the dredging project, classified as WP0778, but unforeseen increases in various operational costs have driven the budget needs up by $341,418.
Following the approval of required permits from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) in April, the lowest bid for the project exceeded the current budget, according to available information. If Supervisor Taylor's resolution is approved, the dredging project could proceed promptly, with plans to restore five feet of depth at the boat launch and reestablish its function as a safe harbor for both public and emergency use.
