It is no easy task to get a boat launch on a lake which has the shore land properties held privately.
The Little Friess Lake boat launch opportunity occurred when a lake property owner sold his land on Little Friess Lake to the WI DNR. That land transfer triggered discussions with lake residents and the Village of Richfield. DNR officials offered management of the launch to stay with the DNR or management could be transferred to the Village of Richfield. Lake residents overwhelmingly requested the Village to manage the launch for trash and sanitation.
The same process is occurring now with the Bark Lake boat launch. Land that was privately owned was sold to the DNR. The DNR met with Bark lake residents and the Village Board. Quickly the residents again voted to have the Village of Richfield manage the sanitation of the launch site.
There is a fee to launch a boat and it is projected that launch fees generated will offset the cost to the village to manage the toilets and garbage.
Lake residents have been thankful the elected officials were willing to listen to residents and support their request for local management.