La Crosse Park Board approves solar energy for Nature Place, as at least one member attends last meeting

The Nature Place at La Crosse’s Myrick Park is about to get a solar upgrade.

The city park board has voted to have solar energy panels installed on the roof of the nature building, with the goal of saving hundreds of thousands of dollars in electricity costs over a period of years. The suggested cost of the installation is $167,000, with about half of the necessary panels being donated to the city. The panels reportedly would come with a 25-year warranty.

The last La Crosse park board meeting before the spring election happens to have been the final meeting for at least one board member. Rebecca Schwarz has served on the board as a city council member, but her council term expires in April.

At Thursday’s park meeting, Schwarz suggested that city residents should learn more about the board and its work. “I encourage everyone, anyone who enjoys our public spaces, our outdoor spaces, to tune in to this body every month,” said Schwarz, “even consider joining this body. It’s a really great way to give back to the community.”

Chris Kahlow is the other council member now serving on the park board, and she noted that the March meeting might be her last on that committee. That’s because she’s hoping to be elected mayor in April.