PETITION OPPOSING THE TERMINATION OF PARK LEASE BETWEEN THE VILLAGE OF SALEM LAKE AND LAKE SHANGRI-LA

We the undersigned residents of Bristol, WI, as well as friends and neighbors of The Community of Lake Shangri-La, respectfully oppose the cancellation of the Lagoon Park lease and the Park Located on 223rd lease for the following reasons:

1. We have been great custodians of the property for decades and have always met all conditions of the lease. We pay for lawn cutting, weed whacking, tree trimming, light utilities and have always ensured that these areas are kept clean and orderly.

2. We have kept both parks open to the public and have never excluded anyone from the enjoyment of these properties as well as any facilities (including piers) that are on, or accessed via the Parks.

3. We have maintained these environments with minimal Government intervention. However, terminating the leases will shift the cost burden of developing the property (launch and new piers) and the maintenance and upkeep solely to taxpayers instead of the vast majority of support from LSPOA private funds.

4. The piers in the water at these locations have been built, maintained, and with private funds. Our renters have incurred enormous expense in the purchase of watercraft, after having secured a pier slip via a meticulously maintained, and transparent waiting list. Having pier slips at these locations provides our elderly members an easy access point to board their boats and enjoy the lake.

5. We are a strong and caring community, and the disruption of having our elderly pier renters give up their piers saddens our community.

6. Due to safety reasons, there is no parking on the streets. Plans to build a launch and a parking area for launchers are a burden on the taxpayers and eliminates precious “green space”. Construction of non-porous surfaces, i.e parking lots, and boat launches will dramatically increase the possibility of harmful runoff pollutants into the lake.

7. The proposed boat launch area is less than .2 of an acre. Parking will be limited to 3 or 4 vehicles and trailers. The street is narrow above the launch and maneuverability of parking and launching will be difficult and cause traffic and safety concerns. Parking may even require maneuvering onto private property.

8. Our community members keep our lake beautiful with an invasive weed and fish stocking program that is coordinated with the DNR. We spend $30K to $40K each year and have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars over the life of this lease.

9. The leased grounds are kept beautiful, and manicured by professionals. Our children play on these grounds and we are very concerned about a significant and unnecessary degradation of the care of these grounds.

10. Lake Shangri-La/Lake Benet are relatively small lakes covering in total of approximately 180 acres, of which approximately 50% is in the Village of Salem Lakes and 50% in Bristol. We are concerned about increased boat traffic and related safety issues. Given it’s size all rules must be strictly obeyed. How will new boaters learn the rules and who will enforce them?

11. There is an existing public boat launch on the East side of the lake and given the small combined size of the Lakes one public launch is sufficient.

12. As approximately 50% of the Lake Shangri-La/Lake Benet is on The Village of Salem Lakes boundaries the Village should be concerned, as we are, of invasive marine life entering our lake by boats bringing them into the lake. The close proximity to the water and no boat washing station will almost certainly ensure foreign invasive species being introduced into the lake. Once this happens it will be difficult and costly to return the lake to it’s original condition.

It is with deep concern that I am adding my name to this petition as I formally object to the termination of this lease.