Fiscal Note
No appropriation required.
Title
In recognition of the volunteer work performed by Kenneth Haak at the Kettle Pond, a City of Madison Conservation Park.
Body
Kettle Pond was formed by a remnant block of ice that was left behind with the retreat of the glacier 10,000 years ago leaving many “kettle holes” in the Madison area. The pond is at 5805 Old Middleton Road and is surrounded by woods that provide habitat for a variety of wildlife in this small eight-acre park. The land was originally purchased in 1971 by the City of Madison in cooperation with the Nature Conservancy to save it from private development and to preserve its glacial history and native vegetative communities. It is one of fourteen Conservation areas managed by the City of Madison Parks Division.
Mr. Kenneth Haak, a neighbor of the park, has been quietly working for several years to restore the park by clearing it of buckthorn, honeysuckle and box elders to open up the area around the surviving savanna oaks in the park that were being crowded and stressed by non-native species. These large open-grown oaks are the only remaining survivors from the time of settlement in the mid-1800's. Mr. Haak's efforts have enabled the Parks Division to follow up with planting of native trees, shrubs and wildflowers to restore native plant communities and to improve wildlife habitat. His work has helped to create a visually and ecologically dynamic natural area that supports passive recreation.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED That the volunteer work performed by Ken Haak at Kettle Pond Park is hereby recognized.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Madison Board of Park Commissioners applauds the spirit of volunteerism that has supported the efforts of Mr. Haak,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Common Council of the City of Madison joins the City of Madison Board of Park Commissioners in congratulating Mr. Haak for his hard work and dedication to this City of Madison Conser...
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