People bike on the Fox River Trail Sept. 29, 2022. PC: Fox 11 Online
BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — After two decades and hundreds of thousands of users, Brown County is looking to plan for the future of the Fox River Trail.
“We’ve had well over two million users since the trail has been in place,” says Matt Kriese, director of the Brown County Parks Department.
Stretching 21 miles through Brown County, more than 150-thousand people use the Fox River Trial yearly.
People like Anne Stewart.
“I try to use it about two, three times a week. Whenever I can get a friend to come out and go walking, biking, or something.”
“This is one of the busiest trails in the state of Wisconsin,” adds Kriese. “That shows our local community that it’s not a want, it’s a need in the community and we are happy to provide that resource and maintain it at the standard it is.”
Kriese says Brown County now wants to know how they can make the trail better.
They’re asking residents to fill out a quick survey, answering questions to learn more about how, when, and why people use the trail.
“Over the last 20 years, we’ve extended the asphalt more than five miles and were looking to extend it another couple of miles,” Kriese says. “It’s those types of things, do people prefer gravel? Do they prefer asphalt? Do people want to see snowmobiles extended further than they’re allowed?”
The last time Brown County surveyed residents about the Fox River Trail was when it opened more than 20 years ago. Officials say a lot of things, and habits, have changed since then.
“20 years ago there wasn’t a use of electronic bikes at all, e-bikes. Now we have e-bikes. There are even electronic scooters that want to use the trail, however they’re not allowed. So, what we want to see is all these different uses and maybe some newer uses that weren’t around 20 years ago and get the public’s input on what they desire to see and see if it’s something we could potentially accommodate down the road.”
Users like Anne say trails like this are a selling point for people looking to move to the area.
“I think its absolutely essential. When I come out here you see families, old people, young people, dogs, everything, it’s just such a great asset and a great way to experience our waterway here and you know, to get out in nature and get moving.”
The survey, which you can fill out here, is active until July 5. On July 10, a public information and input session will be held from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Brown County Kress Library on N Broadway in De Pere.
After input is gathered, a master plan for the trail and its future will be crafted and reviewed by county supervisors later this year.
Kriese says the majority of the things they’re looking to change or upgrade are policy changes; nothing that requires lots of money to be poured into the trail.
He adds that in 2025, $2M from trail user fees, fundraising, and Wisconsin DOT grants will be used to re-pave and update sections of the trail that need it, because the pavement has extended its lifespan.
The trail doesn’t rely on Brown County taxpayer money; Kriese says it’s entirely ‘pay-to-play’ and they rely on user fees. Pay stations are located along the trail for those traveling on wheels.
Kriese agrees that a trail like the Fox River Trail is vital for communities.
“We’re connecting 5 to 7 communities through 21 miles in Brown County, and it provides people a safe opportunity on a recreation trail, to not only recreate, I mean our trails are used might be for health and wellness goals, it’s often for social interactions, communicating and transportation purposes for many, so the quality of life values behind these types of trails are immense.”
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