Study to Look at Impact of Play Equipment, Slide on Atwater Beach and Bluff

It took two hours of heated discussion, but Shorewood trustees decided Monday night to conduct a study of the impact of a slide on the bluff above and playground at the end of the beach’s boardwalk.

A village subcommittee and Friends of Atwater Beach, at an earlier meeting, proposed : a slide hugging the bluff down to the beach; a double arch swing similar to a tire swing; an oval net structure for climbing; and a merry-go-round type structure.

Ann McKaig, a member of the village Parks Commission subcommittee, said Monday night the slide is actually 25 feet long, not the 38 feet originally believed. The upgrades include a stone steps alongside the slide to get back to the top.

Officials agreed unanimously to contract out for the study, on a not to exceed $5,000 basis, after a motion to move forward with the slide and playground equipment, with the contingency that FAB would complete a report on the impact of the equipment on the bluff, failed 3-3.

In addition to examining the impact of the slide and equipment on the bluff's stability, the study will provide information on maintenance of the equipment and ways to mitigate any identified impact and increased activity.

The study came after some trustees again expressed concern about the impact of the slide on the bluff’s stability .

Trustee Ellen Eckman said she's apprehensive about the placement of the playground equipment on a sand dune at the end of the boardwalk after a consultant told the village the dune was important to reducing erosion and maintaining the bluff's stability.

Additionally, Trustee Don Ford said he wanted the study to provide recommendations on how to mitigate any impact the likely increase of children would have on the bluff and sand dune. 

"I'm real skeptical anytime you touch the bluff of what would happen," Trustee Michael Maher added.

McKaig said the consultant that conducted the bluff stabilization work for Shorewood gave her the OK on installing the slide and rock climb on the bluff.

Equipment and design costs are estimated at a little more than $100,000. Friends of Atwater Beach member Alicia Urban said the group plans to pay the cost of the equipment and has been raising funds for the project. While Urban hasn't crunched all the numbers, she said she is confident the group has either hit their goal or is very close.

The group hopes to hold a community beach party in mid-June, with the new equipment installed.