At long last, the new and expanded city
docks are IN. Constructed right here in Chetek at Lake Country
Custom Docks (Lake Country Custom Docks),
Stout Street dock was expanded from a 1-slip dock to one that can now
accommodate 4 boats. The new Knapp Street dock – located at the
corner of Mound and Knapp – is a 3-slip dock. With the placement of
garbage cans at both and a porta potty at the Stout Street location,
they are now officially open and ready to receive watercraft.The new Knapp Street dock
Three years ago, following a year-long survey in which the city solicited input from locals and guests alike on things that would enhance their experience in the City of Lakes access for boaters to the downtown business district was one among many other suggestions we received. First Ward Alderman Scott Bachowski got the ball rolling and the council first looked at expanding the Stout Street dock from a 1-slip dock to an 8-slip one. Due to concerns expressed by the neighbors that it could potentially make their quiet corner of town a lot more noisier, the council then began to have a conversation about the narrow strip of undeveloped land at the corner of Mound and Knapp Streets.
Knapp Street shoreline before improvements |
Since improvements |
People have been having fun on our lakes for many a year |
The hope of creating two smaller docks instead of one larger and longer one is that traffic and trash concerns that the neighbors understandably have will be mitigated. The Stout Street dock is wheel chair accessible. The Knapp Street dock definitely is not. In fact, it's a bit of climb up the ramp to Mound Street but given the possibility that there may be Native American remains beneath the soil (it is called Mound Street for a reason) we wanted to avoid the expense and the time involved in an archaeological survey. Lake Country assures us that the ramp is safe even when wet but all the same it's a good thing it has hand rails.
Stout Street dock before improvements |
Improved Stout Street dock site |
This project cost $22,800 (including the purchase of the new docks and prerequesite tree removal at the Knapp Street location). We want to thank everyone who gave and contributed to the dock expansion cause to a total of $13,150 including:
Sterling Bank
Community Club
Xcel Energy
Lion's Club
Chetek Chamber
Resort Owners Association
TLS Companies & Marquee Construction (Todd & Heidi Severson)
Sweetwater & Fostbites (Jason Fostvedt)
David & Linda Mickelson
Larry & Vicki Hagness
Michael Hover
Red Cedar Riders
Rod 'n Gun
Bill Waite
The remaining balance of $9,650 will be appropriated from both the Park Development and Fixed Asset funds.
The new docks will be governed by the same rules that apply to our parks in that they will be open from 7 am to 10 pm and overnight docking is not permitted. While there are no parking meters at the docks the rule of thumb is that boaters will observe a two-hour limit. Those who use the Knapp Street site, where there is no fencing to indicate the next-door neighbors' property, boaters are kindly reminded to stay on the ramp and respect private property.
These are great additions to our city and I think will prove to be assets for both downtown business owners and the folks that pull up at one of these docks to frequent their favorite dining establishment or pick up what supplies they need for their stay in the City of Lakes.