Bender Park Boat Launch - Sediment Abatement

Sediment accumulation has been an ongoing maintenance issue at Bender Park since the park first opened in 1999. $820,500 in Capital Funds have been appropriated, which will allow Parks staff to perform dredging at the Bender Park Boat Launch. This sediment abatement will allow the public to safely access and navigate the harbor.

Project plans were developed and submitted throughout 2024 to the WDNR and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to secure several required permits for the dredging activities. As of April 2025, the final permit was granted from the WDNR for a low-hazard exemption for the disposal of dredged sediments at the park. Additional permits secured for the project include the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nationwide Permit, five WDNR permits (General Permit, Water Discharge Permit, Waiver to Dredge Seasonality Exemption, Wetland Exemption, and Stormwater Permit), and County Lakebed Permit.

The project was advertised to bidders for construction in April, June, and August 2025; however, the bids received were not within the available project budget. A request for additional funds to be able to contract for construction was submitted to the County as part of the 2026 Capital Budget.