DNR Parks And Recreation News
What’s Happening In Wisconsin's State Parks,
Trails, Forests And Recreation Areas
 Check Out A Park Pass At Your Library
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is launching a pilot program to make state park and forest vehicle admission day passes available to 1,000 library card holders at 20 libraries across Wisconsin.
Starting Tuesday, Nov. 1, library card holders can check out a pass from participating libraries. The passes will be valid for free admission for one vehicle at any state park, forest or recreation area where admission is required.
The pilot program, Check Out Wisconsin State Parks At Your Library, is a collaborative effort between the DNR, Wisconsin Library Association’s Wisconsin Association of Public Libraries and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Nicolet Federated Library System and Southwest Wisconsin Library System underwrote the cost of the day passes.
Along with the day pass, the cardholder will receive an informational kit of state park system materials and maps, a Wisconsin Explorer Program book, accessibility information and resources from the DNR's Division of Forestry.
The goal of the program is to expand access to the Wisconsin state park system to new park visitors. Each of the 20 libraries is receiving 50 day passes available for a one-time use.
Participants can fill out a survey for a chance to win one of 10, 2023 Wisconsin State Park vehicle admission stickers. The cost of the stickers was paid for by the Friends of Wisconsin State Parks.
Friends Of The Fox River Trail Announce Fundraising Campaign
For the past five years, a committee of Friends of the Fox River Trail members has been working through the details of a project to resurface, extend and enhance the Fox River State Trail in Brown County. An estimated $2.33 million is needed to make these improvements.
The group has been writing grants, talking to government officials and doing some quiet fundraising. To date, almost $1.8 million in funds have been pledged from grants and government sources. Additionally, about $230,000 was given in private and corporate donations. The Friends are ready to kick off the public campaign to raise the additional $300,000 needed for trail improvements.
You can help them meet their goal by donating online. Below are the highlights of this phase of trail improvements. Timing of the sections is related to how each section is funded (i.e., grants, donations, etc.):
- The trail surface from Porlier Street to Midway Road will be repaired and resurfaced.
- The gravel section of trail from Midway Road to the trailhead in Greenleaf will be paved with asphalt.
- A parking lot is planned for Brown County property next to the trail at Midway Road.
Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
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 Photo Credit: Deanna Sell, Wisconsin DNR
Have you visited Peninsula State Park’s accessible Eagle Tower yet? The "new" Eagle Tower opened in May 2021 and was specifically designed to provide universal access for visitors of all abilities, featuring both stairs and an 850-foot fully accessible canopy ramp to the top of the tower. This design from Ayres Associates won an Engineering Achievement Award from the Wisconsin Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers this October.
Needing replacement due to age and deterioration, the Friends of Peninsula State Park and the DNR undertook a multi-year planning and fundraising process to upgrade the structure. The new tower is 60 feet high, with the top observation deck sitting 253 feet above Green Bay. The tower offers scenic views of the park, surrounding islands, the Upper Michigan shoreline and local communities.
The new tower is unique with its fully accessible canopy walk that winds above the tree line to the top of the tower. The angle of the accessible ramp never exceeds a 5% slope, and visitors can take advantage of level spots and benches to rest along the way. Portions of the railing are constructed with steel cabling to provide unobstructed views for visitors of various abilities.
Eagle Tower typically closes in November, but there is still some more time for fall fun at Peninsula State Park in Door County. Other accessible features make Peninsula an all-abilities, all-ages park. Check out the new accessible playground at Nicolet Beach, the accessible fishing pier at the boat landing or the accessible segment of the Sentinel Trail. The popular Sunset Trail is another great way to explore the park in the fall.
Starting near the Fish Creek entrance to the park, the fine gravel on the relatively flat Sunset Trail accommodates bicycles, wheelchairs and hikers on many segments of the trail. The White Cedar Nature Center provides programs and activities for all abilities. During winter, the Nature Center is open several days a week. Please contact the Peninsula State Park Office at 920-868-3258 to check availability. Plan a visit to Peninsula for some fall fun.
Find out more about the Wisconsin State Parks System's efforts to Open the Outdoors.
Natural Bridge State Park
Natural Bridge State Park is home to a unique, natural sandstone bridge created by wind erosion, standing 25 feet high by 35 feet wide, the largest natural bridge in Wisconsin and one of the largest in the Midwest.
The 530-acre park is located outside North Freedom, just a short hop west of Devil's Lake State Park.
The area surrounding Natural Bridge State Park was inhabited 10,000 to 12,000 years ago when glaciers began retreating from Wisconsin, making it one of the oldest-dated sites for human occupancy in northeastern North America. Remnants of charred wood, ancient animal bones and other artifacts have been discovered here.
The bridge is a rare phenomenon that has lasted centuries because it lies in the Great Driftless Area untouched by glaciers, which today has led to adjacent woodlands, cliffs and small prairie remnants which contain a wide variety of plant communities and outstanding scenery.
Natural Bridge is a great place to escape crowds. There are 4 miles of hiking trails. The park is open to hunting. It is used for winter hiking/snowshoeing and ungroomed cross-country skiing.
You can learn more about Natural Bridge State Park by joining the Wisconsin Archaeological Society at their event at Natural Bridge on Saturday, Oct. 29 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Natural Bridge State Park is located in Sauk County.
Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
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Stewardship Saturdays
Havenwoods State Forest
Saturday, Oct. 29
9 - 11 a.m.
Interested in land stewardship? Come join Havenwoods staff and help manage the property for invasive species and aesthetics.
Seed Collecting
Yellowstone Lake State Park
Saturday, Oct. 29
1 - 4 p.m.
Join us for a fall work party at one of the Natural Resource Foundation of Wisconsin’s priority conservation sites, Yellowstone Lake State Park.
You’ll help collect seeds that will be used to restore habitat for pollinators, grassland birds and other wildlife. You’ll meet fellow outdoor and conservation enthusiasts, learn plant identification skills and hear from an expert from the Wisconsin DNR about ecological restoration and pollinator conservation.
Experience the calming zen and rejuvenation that comes with seed collecting.
Find more nature programs and DNR events here.
Yellowstone Lake in the fall. / Photo Credit: Joshua Mayer
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#OutWiGo: Fall Day Trips
 Fall colors are here...but not for much longer.
Soak up what remains of autumn with a festive fall road trip. We've got some great ideas for you in the latest issue of Wisconsin Natural Resources Magazine.
If you like what you see in these articles, be sure to subscribe to get more great information on Wisconsin's outdoors in your mailbox.
Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
Where did you find peak fall foliage?
Use #OutWiGo to share your favorite fall colors of 2022.
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