Sounds like a waste of money to me! I would leave it as a crushed gravel trail, and skip the paving. I suppose you will be cutting down a number of trees and bushes too. I would leave it in it's natural state as much as possible. It's fine now. Leave it be!

I'm all for paving - especially if it means the trail will be open year round rather than seasonally. The crushed gravel is natural, but is soggy days after a heavy rain and pieces of stone are constantly being spit at my children's faces when they ride behind me in our bike trailer.

As a regular user of the bug trail (4-6 days a week), I'd much rather see it left as a well-maintained, crushed gravel path. My objections to paving include:
1. Giving the trail a much less natural look with minimal benefit. I wouldn't feel like I was walking or riding in the woods so much as walking in a park if it was paved.
2. Expense. I'd rather they use those considerable dollars to expand the trail system rather than pave the existing trail.
3. Traffic - paving the trail will change its use patterns. Having everything from fast bikers to slow walkers and kids and strollers may not be a good thing. There are plenty of paved places for walking now, but almost no places for bike trail-riding. I fear many of us would lose the use of this trail for exercise because of new rules that would likely be imposed to keep the trail "safe" for slower walkers, or because the kind and quantity of traffic on the trail would no longer allow using it for exercise.

Please don't do this. Build and maintain additional trails instead.

I agree with all of MC's points. The trail's beauty comes from its more natural look, and I worry about adding in skateboarders, scooters, etc. Already, some people who are wearing headphones are unaware of passing traffic -- why speed things up and make it potentially more hazardous?

Additionally, there are many places where the trail is narrow and sided by drainage ditches. A paved trail, accomodating faster traffic, would need to be appreciably wider. What happens to the drainage ditches and the natural growth? There is not much overgrowth between the existing rather narrow trail and the backs of businesses and homes; it more of that is removed, this may result in some stretches that look like alleys.

Please, spend the money to maintain what we have and, yes, extend it if possible.

Wow, wheelchairs

What a waste of money that will ruin this trail. Can't wait to smoke a wheelchair or walker while on my bike, then get blamed for it. Probably will get sued, lose my house, my truck and my dog.

Don't forget, once you put pavement down it will always need costly maintenance and repair.

Don't we already have sidewalks and paved trails? Yep we do I just looked at google earth for a reminder.

Fix the bad roads with the pavement first!
Why we are spending money on a trail while everything else is shot to hell is beyond me. Those people who's backyards abut this path will now get to deal with skateboards.

Leave it alone. The grant money is likely from the 'recreation' fund that was paid for by motorcycle license fees and was diverted for uses other than it's original intention.
The bicycle lobby must be pretty powerful, first diverting funds from the much more numerous motorcyclists, and now funding paved bicycle trails.
If bicyclists want their own roads and pathways they should pay a license fee to cover the costs.
Riding a bicycle is not in the same class as public education, where the public funds the schools for the common good.
If the trail throws stone chips into your children's face while riding in your trailer, perhaps you should invent and market a shield for them. Motorcyclists wear eye protection... it might be a good idea for you to do so also.

Hey Paul S, easy does it on the bicyclists. There is nothing here indicating that it is bicyclists that want this "upgrade." As a bicyclist and bug trail user myself (and as a motorcyclist, by the way), I DO NOT want this trail paved. There is not much in the article stating who was behind this proposal or what the impetus was.

Don't get me wrong, I think there's a lot of better things this money could be spent on, but what is with the vendetta against skateboards. How are they any worse than a bike?

Skateboards? They are a noise issue....imagine 10:00 pm and hearing the boards flip over scraping on the pavement. The kid skins his knee and acts like he broke his leg, screaming and swearing. You go outside to see if he is okay and you get the F bomb thrown at you. The first couple nights it isn't so bad, but after a week it stinks.

As a first time user of the Bug Line. I was impressed at how level the path was. I live in Sussex, Went throught the park to the bug line, to Menomenee Falls. I'm 63 riding for health reasons. I enjoyed the ride, and proud of my accomplishment. Wish the path went farther. What a ride. Next road trip other direction into Sussex. I'm sorry I took so long to have my bike fixed. Since i'm so new at this, don't really know if its necessary to have it paved. It seems to be fine. I feel the roads are desperatly in need of repair. The Bug line has given me the BUG to go biking (no pun intended).

Judy from Sussex

As a runner in the Sussex area the Bugline is just about the only local option for covering any considerable distance on a surface other than asphalt or concrete (both of which can lead to more running injuries). This plan is not only a waste of money but also a great way to ruin one of the most appealing qualities of the trail.

I walk the bugline every chance I get. I'm a senior citizen with many of the physical problems that come with old age. The gravel on the bugline is easier on my feet and legs than blacktop. I really enjoy the opportunity to be able to walk longer distances because of the softer surface. Any consideration given to the area's old- agers will be greatly appreciated.

If you are against the paving of the bug line, please call the Waukesha County Parks.262-548-7801 There will be a meeting with a consultant firm hired for the paving(how much is that costing?)
You can get your name and phone number on a list and they will call you to let you know when the meetings will be and we can have some input .Hopefully, we can stop this. Also call your Waukesha County Board Members.Only 2 voted against this. Ask how many have actually been on the bugline.
I am on the bugline often and have talked with a lot of people. First I will say that 90% of the people that are on it did not know about the paving and a big percentage of that number and and the people that have heard about it --do not want it.
so many reasons-change of enviroment. speed of rode bikes. soft surface-helps people with joint issues or people coming back from injuries. There are also track and cross country students that use this trail to give their body a break from asphalt.
There are so many places to go that provide sidewalks and asphalt. Please leave 12 miles for the people that want and need the softer surface. I think that would make everyone happy. I know there are people living near a paved trail that come to the bugline for what it offers. Where else can we find this?
One last thing is the cost- Ask Questions. I have heard that the combinded grants(taxpayers money) is close to 4 million dollars. Wow! Please leave as is
Margie

I am in agreement with everyone else. LEAVE The BUGLINE AS IS. I have seen some very neat things while walking on the trail. Like, deer, squirrels (special because it was unique to see a squirrel poke it head out of a hole in a tree. If more traffic occurs it will ruin the natural look and scare away the animals.