Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources sent this bulletin at 09/02/2022 12:00 PM CDT
DNR Parks And Recreation News
What’s Happening In Wisconsin's State Parks, Trails, Forests And Recreation Areas
Lakeshore State Park provides stunning views of the Milwaukee skyline at night. Bridges connect the park to the city, making it a great place for water and land activities. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
OutWiGo...In The City
Many of Wisconsin's 50 state parks, 44 state trails, nine recreation areas and 15 state forests are located in rural parts of the state, but did you know we also have some urban park properties?
In Milwaukee, Lakeshore State Park runs along Lake Michigan near Discovery World and in front of the Henry Maier Festival Park (a.k.a. the home of Summerfest). This accessible open space offers excellent views of Lake Michigan and serves as a meeting spot for people from across the city. Read more about it below.
Havenwoods State Forest is in the heart of northwest Milwaukee. This 237-acre forest offers a reprieve from the busy city and includes a nature center. No admission fees are required to visit. Also in Milwaukee, the Hank Aaron State Trail connects to several other county and city trails and spans 14 miles through some of Milwaukee's most popular sites, like the Historic Third Ward, the Mitchell Park Domes and State Fair Park.
Recreating in urban areas provides a different experience from recreating in rural locations, like having access to restaurants and amenities and cell phone service, but whether you're in the town or country, there's a state park property near you. No matter how you OutWiGo, we hope you have fun, stay safe and enjoy the great outdoors.
Find more parks, forests, trails and recreation areas here.
Left: Volunteers restoring native prairie along the Hank Aaron Trail. Right: The Capital City Trail provides city and lake views. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
Volunteer Corner
Volunteers Work At The Rhine SIATA The week of Aug. 15, a group of 101 Ice Age Trail Alliance volunteers dedicated over 2,030 hours to several Ice Age Trail segments in Sheboygan and Manitowoc counties. Most noteworthy was opening a new ¾-mile extension to the Ice Age Trail at the Rhine State Ice Age Trail Area in Sheboygan County.
Other parts of the project included upgrading two boardwalks and maintaining a half-mile of existing trail in the La Budde Creek State Fishery Area and scouting a future trail reroute near Highway 23 in the Kettle Moraine State Forest – Northern Unit. DNR park staff appreciate the work volunteers do to speed up projects throughout the park system. Thanks so much to the volunteers for their hard work!
State Ice Age Trail Areas (SIATAs) are permanently protected DNR-owned segments of the Ice Age Trail (and the natural resources along it) for present and future public use and enjoyment.
Florida Couple Volunteers In Wisconsin Parks Florida residents Heidi Wassom and Nancy Gilliom love volunteering, they love traveling and they love parks. Looking for adventure and a new state to explore this summer, they volunteered in different capacities at five Wisconsin state parks. You can read more about them and their experience and volunteering for the park system in this recent Milwaukee State Journal article.
Left: Nancy Gilliom (left) and Heidi Wassom (right) pose with the vehicle they use for collecting trash as volunteer campground hosts at Peninsula State Park. / Photo Credit: Heidi Wassom
Lakeshore State Park
Called an "urban oasis," Lakeshore State Park is in the heart of Milwaukee. Originally envisioned as a state park in 1998 and formerly called Harbor Island, it officially entered the state park system in 2007.
Just minutes away from music, shopping, art and restaurants, Lakeshore State Park offers a gathering space for locals and tourists alike.
What can you do at an urban park? There are abundant activities at and around Lakeshore. There's a boat slip, a 1.7-mile paved trail and year-round fishing at the park. Nearby, you'll find boat and watercraft rentals or choose to rent a single, tandem or surrey bike for pedaling around. The paved trail through Lakeshore connects with the Hank Aaron State Trail and Milwaukee County's Oak Leaf Trail.
With a 22-acre native prairie that is being actively restored and a view of Lake Michigan, you see wildlife: birds, mammals like fox, mink, woodchucks, muskrats, various mice and voles, and an occasional rabbit, coyote or deer; reptiles like common and Butler's garter snakes and resident snapping, softshell and painted turtles, which often poke their head out while they warm up in the shallow water; bullfrogs; and of course, fish of all sizes. Lakeshore Park is used as the release site for the annual Sturgeon Fest, where roughly 1,000 lake sturgeon fingerlings are placed into Lake Michigan as part of a restoration initiative.
To get involved with prairie restoration efforts or other volunteer activities at Lakeshore Park, stay abreast of activities, learn about an educational or school visit to Lakeshore or get an insider's view of the park, visit the Friends of Lakeshore State Park website.
Kick-off Labor Day weekend with polka music at the amphitheater. The concert is free but all vehicles must have a state park and forest admission pass.
Wisconsin Forest Products: Rooted In Our Lives, Rooted In Our Economy Kettle Moraine State Forest - Northern Unit -
Join Brian Zweifel, DNR Forest Product Specialist, as he explains the many ways wood products help make our lives and environment better. From the cut-over to cutting edge, we will take a look at some of the past, present and possible future products made from Wisconsin forests. This program is most appropriate for folks more than 12 years old.
Meet at the Ice Age Visitor Center (N2875 Hwy 67, Campbellsport – half mile west of Dundee).
Girl Scouts Love State Parks Havenwoods State Forest and Lakeshore State Park Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 10 and 11 All day
All events are open to the public as well as scouts, their friends and families. Every event is free of charge. Activities count towards the Love The Outdoors Challenge AND the Climate Challenge. Explore nature, earn badges, make new friends and have fun!
