Reinventing Milton's East Side
The east side of Milton has never really lived up to its potential.
Despite having an amazing National Historic Landmark in the form of the Milton House, there has been little reason for visitors to stay here after their tour of the museum. That has been changing the last couple of years, with two outstanding additions just down the street, Northleaf Winery and Patty's Plants.
With the Highway 26 Bypass project on the horizon, city government has been exploring the idea of redeveloping what is now being referred to as Goodrich Square. This area (actually a long rectangle, not a square) includes North and South Goodrich Park, the Community House and Milton East Elementary School, and is bordered by the Parkview Drive business district, East Madison Avenue, Hwy. 26/Janesville Street, and East High Street.
The discussion has progressed to the point where the city's planning firm is doing a formal study, and one step in that process was a public brainstorming meeting last Thursday evening. I'm not a big fan of attending public meetings - especially when the weather is as gorgeous as it can possibly get - but I wanted to take part in this because I live so close to the area being discussed. So after my wife and I took our evening walk, we stopped by the meeting.
I liked the format of the meeting a lot. Instead of a formal public presentation, there were four tables where a discussion was being led about a specific topic. The key issues were Goodrich Park, the Historic North End, Parking and Circulation, and the Business Mix/District Theme and Character.
We both sat in on a discussion about Goodrich Park first. All of us were encouraged to think of the area as a blank slate and not hold back on any ideas or suggestions we may have. Everything from walking paths to ski trails to a water park to a band shell was on the table. There seemed to be a sentiment that the ball diamonds in South Goodrich Park could be sacrificed because of the soon-to-be-built sports complex at Crossridge Park on the far south side.
While I like a lot of the ideas that were being kicked around by residents, I have misgivings about the elimination of the ball diamonds. My non-scientific research (read: every time I go by the park) leads me to believe that the diamonds are getting a great deal of usage by kids and their parents. The open space between the diamonds sees a lot of pickup football games, games in which I occasionally participate.
That doesn't mean I would automatically be against a reconfiguring of the park if it's consistent with a larger plan. But there's just something about a neighborhood park that you hate to lose.
I next participated in the discussion about the “Historic North End” of Goodrich Square, encompassing North Goodrich Park, the Milton House and the Community House. Historic, indeed; here is a photo from the Milton Historical Society archives showing how this area looked in 1890, looking east from what's now Parkview Drive.
A lot of ideas were generated about this area. There were suggestions that the Community House (an old railroad depot) be expanded to increase its usage. There were thoughts on how to utilize the historic Goodrich House, which currently sits empty and is in great need of repair. Could it be a restaurant, a retail operation, or even a bed and breakfast?
And what about North Goodrich Park? There was talk about making this part of the park more “formal,” with a fountain as a centerpiece, benches and decorative lamp posts. The playground equipment would be removed if these plans were implemented. That thought crossed my mind Saturday as I witnessed kids and parents enjoying themselves there, and remembered the times I had taken my kids there to play.
We talked about where Storrs Lake Road connects with Highway 26 between the Milton House and the stable – should that segment of the road be closed off? Four of the five people at our table were strongly in favor, a position the Historical Society has held for years.
Other ideas that were discussed while I was there included:
- Creating an area along Janesville Street for Milton East school buses to pull over
- Closing off the east end of Greenman Street so that North and South Goodrich Park could be connected
- Eliminating the road that goes from High Street directly into the Parkview Drive parking area
- What to do about the dangerous intersection of Parkview Drive and College Street, where parked cars on Parkview create poor visibility for vehicles turning on to the street from College
- Can more green space be created by the relocation of the Milton Police Department and the Milton Savings Bank?
Jun 2, 2010 at 9:56 a.m.
Suggest removal
Roundabouts are an integral part of the state's redevelopment of Hwys. 26 and 59, JJL, and a standard recommendation for certain types of intersections to be built or rebuilt in the future. They are safer. Better get used to them.
.
Some really good ideas were discussed and an open conversation about the future of this public space is important. Things like moving the police and bank do not have to be immediate priorities, but clearly there is little reason for the Greenman or corner cut-throughs.
.
Eliminating the Storrs Lake Rd. intersection is an interesting idea. There is a viaduct planned under the 26 bypass that could be eliminated if the road were turned into a tee accessed by Sunnyside Dr. (with the lake road itself brought down to High St. on the east side of the bypass), but fire access (due to crossing the railroad tracks) could become a problem.
Jun 2, 2010 at 5:34 a.m.
Suggest removal
Metromilton, your right...living next to tracks, expect trains. But when we bought a house here twenty years ago, a train passed thru Milton a couple times a week, and for us that just added to the charm.
>>>
Now we have the Howling Beast to the East, and the trains are staging back and forth in town at all hours of the day.
>>>
So what used to be an infrequent train passing thru town, is now nearly continuous staging.
>>>
Establishing a "Quiet Zone" like hundreds of other towns have done, would be a relief to all.
Jun 1, 2010 at 10:56 p.m.
Suggest removal
The old division line betwen Milton and Milton Jct. was Hilltop Drive. There was a white pillar marker on the north side of Madison Ave at one time that delineated this.
When the two cities merged, that was one of the reasons the new post office was built on that street.
As for the train.....it first arrrived in Metromilton back in the fall of 1852.....waaaaayyyy before anyone on here was around. Mr Goodrich even "donated" land for the site of the depot (aka Community House).
When you live near the train tracks, train noise can be expected. No different than if you moved to the country and smell "farm". Get over it.
Jun 1, 2010 at 10:44 p.m.
Suggest removal
Truth those no muffler cycles if they were manufactured that way are legal. A few years ago a Milton officer ticketed several cycles for noise. They fought those tickets all the way up to the Wisconsin Supreme Court and won. The reason? They were manufactured that way therefore they are legal. Go figure it drives me nuts too. And the train I could not agree with you more I live by the tracks. And when the windows are open you swear the train is coming through the house.
Jun 1, 2010 at 10:40 p.m.
Suggest removal
I think the line was Hilltop Drive
Jun 1, 2010 at 9:51 p.m.
Suggest removal
Frank - I'm not old enough to remember where the exact dividing line was located between Milton and Milton Junction (I'm guessing it was either Hilltop Drive or John Paul Road) but the two villages' downtowns were a mile apart.
Jun 1, 2010 at 9:09 p.m.
Suggest removal
...And, its not hard to NOT be obnoxious while not having a muffler, but sadly too many riders' brains are just as absent as the mufflers....but only certain people have to obey laws, ordinances and codes I guess.
Jun 1, 2010 at 9:04 p.m.
Suggest removal
As far as "quiet zones" and train horns, they're certainly no worse than AALLL the *illegal* no-muffler motor vehicles, mostly motorcycles, that plaugue just about every locale with their noise blight.....and the powers that be do NOTHING about it but think everyone else should abide by "ordinances" and "codes" and pay TAXES.
Jun 1, 2010 at 7:02 p.m.
Suggest removal
Where exactly is the dividing line between east and west Milton?
Jun 1, 2010 at 12:34 p.m.
Suggest removal
It was a nice thing to add the old picture! It was nice to see the "Old Milton" great article to go with it.
Jun 1, 2010 at 5:30 a.m.
Suggest removal
the city's planing firm? not the same firm that planned that round-a-bout i hope, BESIDES, wheres all this money coming from to do the developing? a city referendum would be the only way to do it FAIRLY...maybe instead,they could put up a JOB CENTER in the old park...watch it Miltionites, your taxes are about to go through the roof..AGAIN
Jun 1, 2010 at 5:02 a.m.
Suggest removal
Building or enhancing public areas is a fine idea, but one thing that would improve our lives, (and sleep), dramatically would be to establish Milton as a "Quiet Zone".
>>>
In short, a "Quiet Zone" is an agreement between the railroad and local municipality, for the trains NOT to blow their horns, except in an emergency.
>>>
There are too many variables to list them here, but the usual method is to improve crossings with gates, lighting, signage, etc...
>>>
Madison, Chicago, San Diego, and countless other communities have created Quiet Zones.
>>>
I started writing this at 4:30 this morning when the train woke me up.
>>>
Milton needs some PEACE...
May 31, 2010 at 10:33 p.m.
Suggest removal
I don't know if the area really needs to be changed as much as the peoples need to gather as a group for outdoor activities. Organize some softball games, bike rides, flag football, farmers market, cook outs, tennis club, car shows, or any other OUTDOOR activity. Instead, many people stay inside and talk about sports or organize at a bar. It would be nice to have a Milton web site where people could get help organizing or sign up for activities.
May 31, 2010 at 6:16 p.m.
Suggest removal
I think it would be wonderful to bring some life to downtown Milton. I grew up there in the l940's and 1950's, and the parks were a vital part of the community. We had pick-up baseball games there all summer. That seems to be an activity that has been lost due to all the organized kids baseball teams.
The bandstand is one of my best memories. A band concert most Saturday nights all summer long, and under the band stand was a warming house to use when skating on the "man-made" ice rink that was just to the north of the baseball diamond, and just east of the bandstand.
I agree that it would be sad for the baseball diamond to be removed. Where else can people like you and others go to play prompto games of baseball and football when the other facility is used or organized games.
I remember vividly the Milton Merchant's baseball team, and how the park was packed with people for every game.
Both parks were also used for various events, including the huge 4th of July celebration and fireworks.
The downtown needs to have some snappy restaurants and/or ice cream parlors. Eagle has done that to capture people going to Old World Wisconsin. People have to have a reason to stay in Milton after they tour the museum.
I would also like to see the old depot restored and brought up to date. I spent a lot of time there as a child.
When you think about people coming to Milton to tour the Milton House, the downtown should enhance that historical experience.
May 31, 2010 at 3:27 p.m.
Suggest removal
I really like the idea of eliminating/moving the Savings Bank and Milton PD in order to make a 'Green Space.' This might also allow for a better pick up/drop off point for Milton East kids as well-there by creating a bit more safety for the kids too. Well written Jim!
May 31, 2010 at 12:49 p.m.
Suggest removal
The Community House needs to be upgraded to be ready as the new stop for Milton's high speed rail.....
May 31, 2010 at 12:10 p.m.
Suggest removal
Nice article. I have always liked Milton. Nice picture, too. Thank you.
Before you post a comment, consider this:
Note: GazetteXtra.com does not condone or review every comment. Read more in our User Policy AgreementPost Comment
Commenting requires registration.