Waukau Avenue Issue

Many folks have expressed irritation regarding the gate at Waukau Avenue. All outbound pedestrians were told they could not pass through the "vehicle gate" on Waukau (guard post "B"), and were being redirected to Museum Road. Please see below.

http://i62.tinypic.com/308flnm.jpg

The real problem appears not to be a matter of allowing folks to use a “vehicle gate”, but rather an attempt to reduce pedestrian traffic past the four ‘holdout” homes on Waukau. All the homes rent camp space, entertainment space, and host vendors.

About 11:30 AM on Monday I stood and watched a gate guard at “A” redirecting eastbound pedestrians from both Waukau Ave and the Waukau gravel walking path to Museum Rd, even going so far as to run them down mid-block and send them south across the grass.


As for a “vehicle gate” and westbound pedestrians leaving the official grounds, the really silly point is that Waukau, inside the grounds, is a huge pedestrian artery....always has been. It was the center of the show starting with the 1970 Convention, and remains the most direct route to the bus park, the north part of Scholler, Sleepy Hollow, SOS, and the various private parking areas.


I spent some time talking to a nice lady who owns one of the four houses. Her family has been there a long time. They love EAA'ers, but recent EAA management not so much. She said in the old days someone from EAA always came around before the convention, told them about all plans, and answered any questions. Not so in recent times, and there has apparently been some discussion about the legality of blocking access to their part of Waukau with a private security force.


BTW, that block of Waukau has a pedestrian sidewalk on the house side, and the gravel path in the grass on the south side. If vehicle traffic is a problem, why not funnel folks to the sidewalk, and why no gate opening for the existing gravel path?


On a personal note, I had no poor experiences anywhere, including gates...except at this area.

Dan Horton

There is another hitch at this area, that is movement to/from the northern "outside" the perimeter area. There once was passage there for bike riders to go NW along the fence and get closer to HB parking. Not a huge deal but accidentally getting in and being trapped for exit was surprising. I am sure that it will be addressed. No one was rude, nor did they waiver in enforcement. Just a hiccup in three days of walking. Very good event for me.

It'd be interesting to hear (read) what EAA perpetuates as the reasoning. It surely isn't to minimize disturbing the couple "hold-out" residents.

Good point Dan.