A group of Ellsworth residents wants to restore the walking trails at Cairns Woods Park.

The park has become overgrown over the years. Kim Beebe told the Ellsworth Village Board last Monday night the plan is to clean up debris at the park so the community can utilize the treasure.

It’s described on the Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce as a “woodland area located on North Cairns street, just off Highway 65 North. Through the generosity of Gertrude Cairns, and in tribute to her parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Cairns, the 34 acres of land was purchased at a generous discount by the Village of Ellsworth in 1949 to be used as an education demonstration forest. It has groomed and non-groomed trails for exploring or spending quality family time together. Spring and fall are especially beautiful at Cairns Woods Park, with spring wildflowers and stunning red, gold and orange autumn color thanks to the many basswood, red oak, elm, and hard maple.”

“The plan is to revitalize the walking trails,” said Beebe.

Logging has gone on in the woods, and the plan had been for loggers to replant in the forest.

“We didn’t really see any replanting. We’d like to see that trace of land reverted back to its original purpose back in 1949,” Beebe said. “It’s a diamond in the rough, a true gem in our community.”

Loggers have also left ruts, and the hope is that can be leveled off. There are plans to possibly chip some brush for the trails._ “There’s a lot of interest so far, and we haven’t really put official word out,” said Beebe.

More work and research will be done, and the citizen group will report back to the board and work with the Parks Committee on the Cairns Park redevelopment.

In other business: -The concession stand at Summit Park can reopen, and a license for beer sales was approved for the Ellsworth Hubbers baseball team.

“They had a good plan, I thought,” said Gulbranson.

-Police report Police Chief Eric Ludwig told the board a major crime was solved when an ATV was recovered last weekend in the village.

“It was worth more than $30,000,” the chief told village board members.

-Truck speed – Village President Gerald DeWolfe said that the speed of large trucks traveling through town along Hwy. 10 is a growing problem.

“Now with golf carts, that’s the biggest fear I see, semis and golf carts,” he said. “Maybe we need to get the State Patrol in here on our big trucks.

-Absentee ballots Village Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer Nicole Stewart said 230 absentee ballots have been issued already for the Aug. 11 primary election, and the state is mailing absentee ballot applications to all voters.

-Street valves The board approved_ a street valve replacement project along Main Street. A total of 27 valves have to be replaced, and 12 have been replaced already. Cost is $305,928.

“All because of rusty bolts,” DeWolfe said.

-A three-year contract was approved with the Ellsworth Professional Police Association.

“We had several meetings. We went into mediation, and we were able to get it done,” said Village Board member Neil Gulbranson.