City, EcoPark group to part ways; Wiscorps to move into ‘Myrick Center’

Sept. 30--La Crosse officials are set tonight to take over operations of what has been known as the Myrick Hixon EcoPark.

The Common Council, in a 7:15 p.m. special meeting, will vote on a termination agreement that cedes control of the center building and other properties connected with the former EcoPark to the city at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday.

The facility for now will be known as Myrick Center, as the nonprofit Myrick Hixon EcoPark Inc. still holds the original name, attorney Phillip Addis told the city's parks board Monday.

But the group otherwise will end its ties to a project that launched with much fanfare in 2006 as a way to repurpose the cramped and outdated Myrick Park Zoo, yet never seemed to find its stride amid several changes in direction on what the park should be.

The parks board Monday authorized having Wiscorps take over the educational program with the La Crosse School District. Another nonprofit, Wiscorps will pay the city $17,000 -- the equivalent of utility costs -- to use five offices in the center, the donated barn and a storage room, plus have access to 5 acres of surrounding property, through September 2015.

That will allow the school district to continue a $30,000 alliance with the nature center to provide environmental education and lessons for thousands of students, in close proximity to the La Crosse River Marsh.

The one-year arrangement with Wiscorps also buys time to meet with the public and other stakeholders about the future use of the 2009-built center in Myrick Park now that the city will be operating the site, said Steve Carlyon, parks and recreation director.

While he thinks the main focus should remain education, the building must be sustainable as well, something it was not under the current concept, Carlyon said.

"Personally, I think there have been a series of missteps all along," Carlyon said of the EcoPark project. Though opened only five years ago, the building needs about to $80,000 in maintenance, he added.

The termination agreement coming before the council tonight requires:

--The Forest Scramble, the only playscape completed among the five planned for the EcoPark, be dismantled by Dec. 1 or it becomes city property without compensation. The city, however, will transport the Forest Scramble anywhere within 60 miles, at no charge, if a new home can be found.

--All property belonging to members, sponsors or entities other than MHEP be out of the facility and grounds before Wednesday, when the locks will be changed. MHEP staff will have until Dec. 1 to remove property but must have an itemized list of what's still there. Anything not on the list will belong to the city after midnight.

--Honoring all prior contracts to use the center for meetings or special events.

--Ending all sponsorship, naming rights or contribution agreements connected with the park, with MHEP responsible for any financial penalties or refunds.

--The project initially drew considerable fundraising and financial backing from the city, area Rotary clubs and Hixon Forest Nature Center, which paid for construction of the center. But enthusiasm seemed to wane after promised live animal exhibits were dropped as too costly.

While the revised project pledged the five playscapes -- Wild Water, Prairie Maze, Forest Scramble, Invited Wildlife and Farm Play -- progress proved slow, with complications. The Forest Scramble, for example, remained closed almost two years after completion due to insurance and safety concerns.

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