People using the Fox River State Recreational Trail in De Pere, April 10, 2023. PC: Fox 11 Online
MADISON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Popular recreational destinations in several Northeast Wisconsin counties are getting a big boost in funding.
On Wednesday, the State Building Commission approved $100,000 in matching state DNR Property Development grant funds to enhance state outdoor properties in the 1st Senate District.
The $100,000 amount is part of $500,000 approved statewide. It will match $284,775 in funding already provided by public volunteer state park “Friends” groups.
The commission also approved stewardship matching grants of $20,000 each for five different area “Friends” organizations. The funds will aid improvements at the following state properties:
- Regrading and resurfacing the southern section of the Fox River State Trail in Brown County
- Stairs replacement for the Lime Kiln Trail at High Cliff State Park in Calumet County
- Dark Sky Amphitheater at Door County’s Newport State Park
- Outdoor gathering area at the Mountain Bike Trailhead at Peninsula State Park in Door County
- New accessible playground equipment update at Point Beach State Forest in Manitowoc County
“Friends” and other nonprofit organizations “adopt” state recreation properties in their area, such as parks, trails and wildlife areas, and donate their time and money to improve them. Local “Friends” groups leverage funds from the state budget (up to a maximum of $20,000 each year) with private donations for local initiatives that preserve the environmentally-sensitive lands, waters and habitats on which outdoor recreation activities depend.
Comments