Remaining funds for sheltering people at La Crosse park may be used to clean up the camping site

The city of La Crosse may use some leftover federal money to pay for the cleanup of Houska Park.

The city council Finance and Personnel Committee approved Thursday spending about $100,000 in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to pay costs related to helping unsheltered residents.

Jim Flottmeyer of the city’s Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department said much of that money may be needed to rehabilitate Houska, which has been used since fall as a campground for homeless.

“We’re gonna have to regrade the area, probably take out some of the top dirt, and then resurface it with some additional fill and then reseed it, ” Flottmeyer told the committee.

People living at Houska have been given notice that they’re supposed to vacate the park by March 15. Tents have been allowed in the park for the better part of two years.

The proposal goes to the full city council next week.