Picnic Point

As reported online by the Oshkosh Northwestern, "Governor Doyle announced today that the state will not sell approximately 117 acres of property at Winnebago Mental Health Institute...and is directing the Department of Natural Resources to work with area communities, Native American tribes, and local residents to determine how best to manage the property." Here is a memo from Robert Cramer, Secretary of the State Building Commission, to the Governor regarding transferring the land to the state DNR.

The property, referred to as Asylum Point or Picnic Point, is one of the last undeveloped pieces of land along the shores of Lake Winnebago. It also contains several Native American archeological sites.

As you may recall, the Oshkosh Common Council on February 28th passed a resolution authored by Council Member Mattox supporting the state DNR purchase and preservation of the land. I am proud to have supported the resolution and applaud Ms. Mattox for bringing it forward.

I thank state Senator Carol Roessler for her support and work with the state Department of Administration and the Governor. I also thank Governor Doyle for his decision to protect this culturally and historically important property. (I've provided links so you can call, write or email them to express your appreciation.)

Finally, a huge thank you and congratulations needs to be extended to the citizens of Oshkosh and Winnebago County, including the Friends of Picnic Point group, who wrote letters and held meetings against development of the land. Your hard work and diligence paid off!

Update: The full story is in today's Oshkosh Northwestern.

-Bryan