Marathon County Park Commission Agenda

MARATHON COUNTY PARK COMMISSION AGENDA

Date and Time of Meeting: Tuesday, August 6, 2019 at 2:00pm Meeting Location: Conference Room #3, 212 River Drive, Wausau WI 54403

Park Commission Members - Gary Gisselman (President), Jacob Langenhahn (Vice-President) Commissioners: Connie Conrad, John Durham, Pat Peckham, Rick Seefeldt, Dennis Smith

Marathon County Mission Statement: Marathon County Government serves people by leading, coordinating, and providing county, regional, and statewide initiatives. It directly or in cooperation with other public and private partners provides services and creates opportunities that make Marathon County and the surrounding area a preferred place to live, work, visit, and do business. (Last updated: 12-20-05)

Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department Mission Statement: Adaptively manage our park and forest lands for natural resource sustainability while providing healthy recreational opportunities and unique experiences making Marathon County the preferred place to live, work, and play.

Agenda Items

1. Call to Order – Park Commission

2. Public Comment Period – Not to Exceed 15 Minutes

3. Approval of the Minutes – None - July 30, 2019 Minutes will be Approved in September

4. Operational Functions Required by Statute, Ordinance or Resolution: A. Discussion and Possible Action by Committee 1. 2020-2025 Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan – Discussion on the 2020-2025 County Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Update with Consultant

B. Discussion and Possible Action by Committee to Forward to the Environmental Resource Committee for its Consideration 1. None

5. Policy Issues for Discussion and Committee Determination for Consideration by Environmental Resources Committee A. None

6. Educational Presentations/Outcome Monitoring Reports A. Project Update

7. Announcements A. Next Meeting Date & Time, Location – Sept. 3, 2019, 2:00pm at 212 River Dr., Wausau WI 54403 B. Future Agenda Items

8. Adjourn

Signed _/s/ Jamie Polley ______Presiding Officer or Her Designee

Any person planning to attend this meeting who needs some type of special accommodation in order to participate should call the County Clerk’s Office at 715-261-1500 or e-mail [email protected] one business day before the meeting. FAXED TO DAILY HERALD THIS NOTICE POSTED AT THE COURTHOUSE (Email/Fax City Pages, Marshfield News, Midwest Radio Group) Date August 2, 2019 Time _9:45 am____ Date______Time______By____Jodi Luebbe______By______Marathon County Park Commission August 6, 2019

AGENDA SUMMARY

4A1. Discussion and Possible Action on 2020-2025 Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan MSA will be in attendance for the second meeting with the commission regarding the update of the 2020-2025 Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan. MSA will be reviewing the items they have near completion to date. Input will be sought on goals, policies and strategies, needs and demands, and recommendations for existing parks.

6A. Project Update Three substantial storms /weather events have impacted several park properties in the last couple weeks. Most notable are Big Eau Pleine Park and Marathon Park. Park staff will be involved in cleanup and removal activities in the next few weeks.

Marathon Park: Tree damage cleanup and removal to continue after Wisconsin Valley Fair

County Forest Units (Leather camp, Kronenwetter and Nine Mile): Culvert installation/replacement in progress along with trail restoration

Shooting Range: Granite removal and turf restoration on 600 yard range (near target stations)

BEP: Disc golf course trail maintenance and concrete tee pads.

Routine Operations/Programs: Urban forestry program; tree trimming, removals, stump grinding Building and structure maintenance. Shelter reservations and Special Events Equipment maintenance and repair Mowing Operations Sports Facilities (Eastbay Sunnyvale Softball Complex) Campground Operations

Chapter 3 MISSION, GOALS, POLICIES & STRATEGIES

Chapter 3 | Mission, Goals, Policies & Strategies 27 MISSION, GOALS, POLICIES & STRATEGIES

Goal 1 - Provide an adequate and suitable park 3.1 PRF DEPT. MISSION STATEMENT and forest land base for the outdoor recreational needs of our citizens. Adaptively manage our park and forest lands for natural resource sustainability while providing Policies healthy recreational opportunities and unique 1. Maintain a level of service of at least 250 gross experiences making Marathon County the preferred acres of park and forest land per 1,000 residents place to live, work, and play. and 26 gross acres of parkland (excluding County Forest Units) per 1,000 residents.

3.2 GOALS, POLICIES & STRATEGIES 2. Ensure that all residents of the County are within at least a 20 minute drive time or less from a Goals are a general statement about a desired future County park or forest. outcome. Goals provide the big idea and direction but do not indicate how they will be achieved. 3. Ensure that all land acquisitions have public access or will have public access in the future. Policies are rules of conduct to be used to achieve the goals of the plan. They are intended to be used Strategies regularly to guide County decisions. A. Identify and acquire by deed, lease or easement lands needed to meet current demands and Strategies are specific activities or actions that the future needs based on population projections, County should pursue, sometimes in coordination recreational trends, demographics, local and with other local or state government agencies, county land use plans: private landowners, or non-governmental agencies to achieve the stated goals. - General County outdoor space needs for active recreation including campgrounds, boat and canoe launches, trails for bicycling, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, ATV riding, horseback riding, beaches, play areas, play equipment, hunting, fishing, and other possibilities as identified in the County park and County forest definition. - Special use needs suitable for County parks and/or County forests including dog trails, target shooting, archery, open sports facilities, model airplane field, golf, alpine skiing, water parks, arenas, fairgrounds, expo center, exhibition buildings, ice rinks, curling rinks, and company picnics. B. Identify and acquire by deed, lease, or easement lands needed to create a county- wide, multi-use, multi-seasonal trail system. C. Propose land acquisition to consolidate ownership within established county forest boundaries and provide for public recreation. Acquisition of other unique or special areas will be pursued within the guidelines of the County

28 Marathon County | Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Forest 15-Year Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Each County forest unit has acreage to be acquired. COMPLYING WITH THE AMERICANS WITH D. Target acquisition of an average of 320 DISABILITIES ACT combined acres of park, forest, or trail lands per year by December 31, 2022. The ADA, enacted in 1990, clearly states the right of equal E. Except in the cases of special use parks, County access for persons to local government services, including parks shall provide opportunities for both active parks. On September 15, 2010 the Department of Justice and passive recreational use for all users published revised final regulations implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act. The 2010 Standards Goal 2 - Protect the County’s natural, historic, and included new provisions for accessible design for cultural resources. recreational facilities such as playgrounds, swimming pools, fishing and golf facilities. Similar to when the original Policies 1991 ADA Standards were adopted for public buildings, 1. The County will maintain and utilize land use a community is required to complete a self-evaluation of regulations to protect natural, historic and their recreational facilities for ADA compliance by March 15, cultural resources. 2012. Those communities with 50 or more full or part-time Strategies employees are also required to develop a Transition Plan, which identifies what corrective work will be completed, A. Maintain a shoreline stabilization program in when it will be completed, and the individual responsible areas subject to erosion from waves, current or recreational use. for the corrective work. Any new recreational facilities designed, constructed, or shaped after March 15, 2012 are B. Protect parks and forest units from encroachment subject to the 2010 Standards. Any alteration (not simple or degradation by conflicting land use or activities maintenance, but something that changes the way the on adjacent lands. site is used) must make the element altered accessible and C. Facility design, construction and operations should must create an accessible path of travel through the site or protect the natural resources. Potentially adverse facility to that element. impacts will be mitigated to the extent possible while providing recreational opportunities in There are some fundamental differences in how accessibility natural appearing settings. in the outdoors is accommodated compared to indoors D. Protect environmentally sensitive and historically or the built environment. While restrooms, shelters, significant areas from “active” recreation interpretive centers, and parking lots, for example, need development. to follow detailed ADA guidelines, other improvements E. Protect lands that are scientifically, historically, or such as trails or swimming beach areas, for example, do not environmentally significant by purchase, lease or necessarily need to follow indoor or built environment ramp easement. grades or surfacing requirements. A good rule of thumb for the County to follow is that anything constructed must not Goal 3 - Maintain all park and forest facilities make the outdoor experience anymore difficult than what according to recognized and acceptable community standards. occurs naturally. Mother Nature does not have to comply with ADA, but the County does. Policies 1. Whenever possible, all park sites and experiences The New England ADA Center is a good resource to use and will be made accessible to all potential users, in offers checklists to evaluate accessibility at existing park conformance with the Americans with Disabilities facilities. The fillable checklist forms can be found here: Act (ADA). http://www.adachecklist.org/checklist.html#rec

Chapter 3 | Mission, Goals, Policies & Strategies 29 Strategies Strategies A. Each County park should have high quality base A. Use park and forest facilities to promote the tourism facilities that include: industry. a. Paved or graded access roads B. Utilize special park and forest facilities as profit b. Paved or graded parking lots centers to offset the costs of other park operations. c. Flushing toilet restrooms C. Use parks and forests to encourage business and industry development by providing for their d. Open play areas employee’s recreational needs. e. Trail systems D. Integrate parks and forest information with other f. Picnic facilities tourism promotion groups, e.g., Chambers of Commerce, etc. g. Safe drinking water E. Consider for expansion those recreation services h. Safe access to rivers and lakes for fishing and which are principally in demand by tourists boating (where applicable) (campgrounds, water sports, downhill and cross- i. Wayfinding and on-site signage country skiing, tournament shooting, mountain j. Accessibility for all users biking, traveling athletics, etc.). B. Fund the replacement of old and deteriorating facilities in all parks and forests and provide for Goal 5 - Provide information, education and non-recurring maintenance needs, repairs, and interpretive services to the public concerning replacements. Consult the recommendations natural resources, park and forest recreation within this plan on an annual basis when updating facilities and programs in Marathon the County’s Capital Improvement Plan and County. Annual Budget. Policies C. Maintain a park and forest system that is 1. The County Park Department will emphasize sustainable with respect to annual maintenance their role in providing information to the public and operation costs and servicing capabilities of about County recreational amenities and to the community. ensure compliance with County parkland rules, D. Provide the support facilities and personnel regulations and fees. necessary to carry out suitable maintenance and cleaning for all park and forest facilities. Strategies E. Annually inspect all facilities for safety and A. Provide wayfinding signage for county maintenance needs. parks and forest units along major county highways to guide the public to park and Goal 4 - Recognize and utilize selected County forest recreation facilities. park and forest facilities to generate revenues B. Provide entrance signs, trail signs, from users. compliance, educational and interpretive signs within County parks and forest units as Policies needed. 1. Charge reasonable fees for providing special C. Provide educational, interpretive, and facilities, a special service, and/or for which interactive information regarding parks and registration or reservations are required. Examples forests via brochures, websites, location include camping, skiing, highly developed trails, based mobile applications, etc. reserveable shelters, firewood, boat launching, D. Provide educational and interpretive target shooting, building rentals, and storage. programs at parks and forests with outstanding natural or historic features or campgrounds.

30 Marathon County | Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan E. Support and/or provide environmental C. Recognize and promote opportunities for joint education study areas. land acquisition and/or facility development on F. Continually update maps, brochures, a cost-sharing basis. websites and apps that describe park and D. Transfer ownership or management of lands forest recreation facilities, fees, policies, and and facilities that do not meet the objectives barrier free access. of County parks and forests to appropriate G. Make park and forest recreation data jurisdictions. available to other distribution services such as E. Assist with county-wide land use and map and travel-guide publishers, Chambers conservancy planning including providing of Commerce, the Wisconsin Department of technical assistance to citizens, municipalities, Tourism, etc. and other providers of public recreation. H. Make information available at heavily trafficked government offices, parks, recreation sites and other public information distribution points. I. Provide public information services at public recreation and leisure events such as fairs and trade shows. J. Provide public notification of County park and forest recreation facility and program operational information including rules, regulations, hours and seasons of operation, event schedules, fees, public meetings, etc.

Goal 6 - Cooperate with all units of government, service organizations, and special interest groups to meet recreational needs.

Policies 1. The County Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department will participate in the development or review of state and local CORPs to ensure the policies and recommendations in those plans are consistent, compatible and complementary to the policies and recommendations within the County CORP.

Strategies A. Encourage municipalities to require developers to dedicate parkland or pay fees-in-lieu of. B. Encourage municipalities to prepare and update local CORPs every 5 years to assess how current demand and future park and recreation needs are being met.

Chapter 3 | Mission, Goals, Policies & Strategies 31 Chapter 4 ANALYSIS OF NEEDS AND DEMANDS

Chapter 4 | Analysis of Needs and Demands 33 ANALYSIS OF NEEDS & DEMANDS

This chapter presents an analysis of how well the Table 4.1 Total Parks and Forest Acreage Surplus/Deficit County’s existing park and forest facilities satisfy Total Acreage Surplus/Deficit (in acres) current needs. The adequacy of the County’s Year 2018 2020 2025 2030 existing park and forest systems are evaluated using Population 135,922 142,200 146,595 150,130 the following methods: Parks and County Forest Units Total Supply (acres) 33,970 33,970 33,970 33,970 • Quantitative Analysis - a comparison of existing Demand (250 acres/1,000) 33,981 35,550 36,649 37,533 parkland acreage and population projections Surplus (250 acres/1,000) -11 -1,580 -2,679 -3,563 versus the County’s park service policy. Surplus (adding 320 acre/year) -11 -940 -439 277 • Geographic Analysis - an analysis of the All Parkland (excluding County Forest Units) geographic distribution of park and forest facilities Total Supply (acres) 3,800 3,734 3,734 3,734 in the County. Demand (26 acres/1,000) 3,534 3,697 3,811 3,903 Surplus (26 acres/1,000) 266 36 -78 -170 • Qualitative Analysis - a summary of public input

regarding County parks and recreational facilities Active Parkland Only (excluding County Forest Units) gathered through the community survey and Total Supply (acres) 705 705 705 705 public involvement meeting. SinceDemand (12approximately acres/1,000) 89%1,631 of County’s1,706 1,759park and1,802 • Regional & State Insights - a summary of the recreationSurplus (12 acres/1,000) land is forest, which-926 is-1,001 used less-1,054 actively-1,096 demand trends in recreational amenities at the than parks, Table 4.1 also summarizes current and regional and state level. projected supply and demand for parkland only. In 2007 the County had roughly 26 acres of parkland per 1,000 residents. Assuming this level of service is 4.1 QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS maintained, the County currently has a surplus of 266 acres of parkland; however, by year 2030 there An analysis of existing park and forest land area is will be a deficit of 170 acres if no new parkland is provided to determine if the recreational needs of added. residents are being met. This analysis is limited to an evaluation of park and forest land, and does not Table 4.2 provides a comparison of parkland include off-road trails not located in parks or forests. acreage for Marathon County and six peer Per Chapter 3, the County’s policy is to provide a county’s. Peer county’s were chosen based on their service level of at least 250 acres per 1,000 residents, similar population to Marathon County and other which was the level of service provided in 2007. This similar characteristics, including access to federal standard is used to calculate anticipated parkland highways. demand for Marathon County. In conclusion, if the County desires to maintain at Currently the County is providing approximately least the level of service it was providing in 2007 (~250 33,970 acres of parks and county forests land. Table acres of park and forest land per 1,000 residents) 4.1 summarizes the current and projected supply and demand for total park and county forest acreage Table 4.2 Comparison of Park Statistics to Peer Counties based on County population and a service level Park Comparison to Comparable Counties (excludes forests) of 250 acres per 1,000 residents in combined Parks Number of Total Park 2018 Acres Per 1,000 and Forest Units. Currently the County has a deficit Parks Acres Population Residents of 11 acres of Park and Forest land. If no new land Marathon County 19 3,800 135,922 28 Eau Claire County 7 931 102,816 9 is added, by 2030 there will be a 4,060 acre deficit. Fond du Lac County 15 1,213 104,035 12 Per Chapter 3, and the County Strategic Plan, the Rock County 19 935 160,349 6 County has a stated strategy to add 320 acres of Sheboygan County 7 6,852 115,924 59 park and forest land per year. Adding this amount Washington County 15 1,511 135,970 11 of acreage would offset the projected deficit by Winneabago County 15 788 170,025 5 year 2030.

34 Marathon County | Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan then additional land acquisition will be necessary to keep pace with projected population increases. 4.2 GEOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS The County’s strategy of adding 320 additional acres per year will be sufficient to erase the existing 2018 The location of parks and forest units in relation to estimated deficit and account for the projected the County’s residents is an important indicator population by 2030. While the analysis in Table 4.1 of how well existing facilities are dispersed. Most may illustrate a larger 2018 surplus in parkland only, it County parks are located in areas with distinctive should be kept in mind that County parks offer a wider natural features and provide nature oriented passive amount of recreational amenities, and therefore, are outdoor recreation. County parks are generally more highly used than County Forests (as supported larger than municipal parks and often provide for by results for the survey, see section 4.3). It is not the recreational amenities that require greater acreage County’s stated policy to provide at least 26 acres of (e.g. camping, hunting, etc.). County parks are parkland per 1,000 residents, this is merely the level generally not intended to meet daily resident needs; of service that was provided in 2007. Given County therefore, providing a service level that places all parks are used more frequently, and for more diverse residents within a 1/4 to 1-mile service radius, as is uses, the County may want to consider allocating a typical in a municipality, is not appropriate. Per greater share of the desired additional 320 acres of Chapter 3, the County has a general policy to have park and forest land acquisition per year to active all residents within a 20-minute drive time of either a uses. County park or forest unit. The Park and Forest Unit Service Areas map (Figure 4.1) illustrates that all but

Figure 4.1 Park and Forest Unit Service Area Map (20 Minute Drive Time)

Chapter 4 | Analysis of Needs and Demands 35 Figure 4.3 Forest Unit Service Area Map (20 Minute Drive Time) a few areas of the County are currently served by a County park or forest within a 20-minute drive time.

When looking at service areas for forest units only (Figure 4.3), a portion of the southwest corner of the County is outside the service area. However, this area of the County is where McMillan Marsh Wildlife Area is located. McMillan Marsh is 6,500 acres and managed by the Wisconsin DNR (see Chapter 2 for more details).

When looking at the service areas for parks only, almost all areas of the County are currently within a 20 minute drive time of at least one County park. However, the size of the park and type of amenities offered at each location should also be considered when analyzing service areas. For example, the north central portion of the County is Figure 4.4 Park Service Area Map (20 Minute Drive Time) served by Trappe River Dells Park; however, this is an undeveloped park, which means that many residents in this portion of the County have to travel further than 20 minutes to have access to a County park. Table 4.3 provides a summary of some of the major recreational amenities found at each County park.

Table 4.4 (page 38) shows the profile of the population within a 20 minute drive time of each park and forest unit. The parks with the largest group of prospective users within a 20 minute drive time are Ashley Park (152,193) and Sunny Vale Park (139,245). Ashley Park is located near the edge of Marathon and Portage Counties, just to the east of I-39. The 20 minute service area for this park includes the City of Stevens Point (Portage County); Villages of Mosinee, Kronenwetter and Rothschild; and a majority of the City in Wausau. Wausau is the largest municipality in Marathon County (2018 population estimate of 39,024).

Based on WI DOA population projections, there are only four County park and forest service areas that have a projected increase of less than 1,000 residents between 2023: Amco Park, Cherokee Park, Reitbrock Geographical Marker and Bern Wetland. These parks are all located east of Wausau with service areas

36 Marathon County | Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Table 4.3 County Park Amenities

Park/Facility Acres Baseball/Softball Court Basketball Beach Landings Boat Camping Fishing Lake/Pond/River Center Nature Open Area Area Picnic Pier EquipmentPlay Restrooms Shelter/Pavilion Sports Field/Area Swimming Court Tennis Trail Volleyball Court Trail Country Ski Cross Disc Golf Mountain Trail Bike Other - Splash Pad

County Parks 3,800.1 Amco Park 38.5 X X X X X X X Ashley Park 155.1 X X Big Eau Pleine Park 2,050.6 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Big Rapids Park 28.9 X X X X X X X Bluegill Bay Park 75.1 X X X X X X X X X X X Cherokee Park 65.5 X X X X X X X X Courthouse Square 0.4 X D.C. Everest Park 6.2 X X X X X X X Dells of the Eau Claire Park 266.5 X X X X X X X X X X X Duane L. Corbin Shooting Range Park 100.4 X X Eastbay Sports Complex 66.6 Library Park 1.0 X X X Marathon Park 79.3 X X X X X X X X X X X X X Mission Lake Park 114.3 X X X X X X X X X X X X Mountain-Bay Trail - X X X X X X X Reitbrock Geographical Marker 0.9 X Rib Falls Park 308.4 X X X X X X X X Sunny Vale Park 363.2 X X X X X X X X X X Sunny Vale Softball Complex - X X X X X X Trappe River Dells Park 79.3 that span from Wausau to Thorp and are bisected 4.3 QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS by WIS 29. As part of the planning process, a survey was Within all County park and forest unit drive times, the distributed to gauge resident preferences, opinions, percentage of those under 18 is between 20-24% and feedback on the County’s park facilities, forest and the median age falls between 38.4 and 41.6. units, and recreational programs. In total, the survey Median incomes within the park and forest service received 1,194 responses. This is a key component of areas are between $51,000 and $58,000. analyzing recreational needs and demands in the County, and the following is a summary of responses In conclusion, almost all County residents are within and findings. a 20-minute drivetime of a County park or forest unit. There are more 20-minute service gaps for forest units Importance and Satisfaction than parks as more forest units are located on the east side of the County. There is pretty adequate service Residents of the County strongly believe that parks, coverage for County parks; however, the number trails, and forest units are important to overall and quality of amenities is not equally dispersed recreation and quality of life – ranking the average amongst all County parks and can therefore result in importance of the parks, trails, and forest system at some residents having a longer service area. 90 out of 100. In total, more than 97% of residents taking the survey had visited a County Park or Forest in the past year.

Chapter 4 | Analysis of Needs and Demands 37 Table 4.4 Profile of Perspective Park Users (within 20 minute drive time)

Profile of Perspective Park Users (within 30 minute drive time)

2023 Projected Population 2018 Percentage 2018 2018 Median 2018 Projected Increase Youth Median Household Population Population (2018-2023) (under age 18) Age Income

County Parks and Forest Units Ashley Park (155.1 acres) 152,193 154,574 2,381 21% 38.4 $ 54,676 Sunny Vale Park (363.2 acres) 139,245 141,270 2,025 22% 41.1 $ 57,319 Marathon Park (79.3 acres) 135,783 137,690 1,907 22% 41.3 $ 57,450 Rib Falls Park (308.4 acres) 134,142 136,147 2,005 23% 40.3 $ 55,780 Sunny Vale Softball Complex (included above) 132,377 134,279 1,902 22% 41.1 $ 57,321 Library Park (1.0 acres) 129,822 131,643 1,821 22% 41.2 $ 57,242 Bluegill Bay Park (75.1 acres) 129,802 131,708 1,906 22% 41.2 $ 57,309 Courthouse Square (0.4 acres) 127,726 129,522 1,796 22% 41.2 $ 57,116 Kronenwetter Forest Unit (5,164.7 acres) 125,633 127,554 1,921 21% 38.9 $ 54,720 D.C. Everest Park (6.2 acres) 124,074 125,871 1,797 22% 41.1 $ 57,124 Nine-Mile Forest Unit (4,897.6 acres) 122,414 124,363 1,949 22% 41.0 $ 57,855 Trappe River Dells Park (79.3 acres) 121,441 122,678 1,237 22% 41.2 $ 54,770 Burma Road Forest Unit (1,469.0 acres) 120,262 122,330 2,068 22% 40.5 $ 57,078 Mountain-Bay Trail 119,715 121,597 1,882 22% 41.2 $ 57,493 Miller Forest Unit (79.2 acres) 118,283 119,644 1,361 22% 41.1 $ 55,218 Duane L. Corbin Shooting Range Park (100.4 acres) 117,152 119,215 2,063 22% 40.7 $ 58,205 Wisconsin River Forest Unit (305.4 acres) 116,214 117,614 1,400 22% 41.1 $ 56,195 Eastbay Sports Complex (66.6 acres) 115,389 117,307 1,918 22% 41.3 $ 57,308 Ringle Marsh Forest Unit (3,079.9 acres) 108,457 110,199 1,742 22% 40.8 $ 56,443 Leather Camp Forest Unit (5,231.8 acres) 107,619 109,334 1,715 20% 38.4 $ 57,114 Dells of the Eau Claire Park (266.5 acres) 104,091 105,241 1,150 22% 40.8 $ 52,932 Hewitt-Harrison Forest Unit (9,399.7 acres) 93,286 94,357 1,071 22% 40.9 $ 51,045 Reitbrock Geographical Marker (0.9 acres) 92,548 93,511 963 23% 40.2 $ 53,006 Mission Lake Park (114.3 acres) 86,964 88,361 1,397 22% 41.0 $ 56,872 Big Eau Pleine Park (2,050.6 acres) 83,734 85,216 1,482 22% 41.0 $ 58,202 Cherokee Park (65.5 acres) 80,545 81,492 947 24% 40.6 $ 54,236 Amco Park (38.5 acres) 72,796 73,017 221 22% 41.1 $ 52,227 Big Rapids Park (28.9 acres) 72,530 73,700 1,170 23% 41.1 $ 56,563 Elderon Forest Unit (277.3 acres) 67,270 68,454 1,184 22% 41.6 $ 58,723 Bern Wetland Forest Unit (264.9 acres) 46,851 47,235 384 24% 40.5 $ 54,127

Average satisfaction remains high, rated greater Safety and Accessibility than 75 out of 100 for both quality and variety of facilities offered in the County, with respondents 94% of respondents indicated that they feel safe indicating high levels of satisfaction in Appearance when using the County’s parks, trails, and forests. (93% satisfied or very satisfied), Maintenance (87%), Of the approximately 6% of respondents with safety Cleanliness (86%), Safety (94%), and Accessibility concerns, one-quarter cited perception or presence (92%). Common reasons for dissatisfaction included of intoxicated users within parks and forests. Other availability/state of restrooms (6% of all respondents), users shared safety concerns of trail maintenance, improvements for hockey facilities (3% of all as well as perceptions of outdated boards and glass respondents), and overall cleanliness (1%). at Marathon Ice Arena.

38 Marathon County | Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Other respondents shared a desire for increased respondents), camping (46%), swimming (41%), accessibility – wheelchair and paved access to canoeing (38%), fishing (36%), picnicking (29%), playgrounds, more paved trails throughout the playground use (27%), and snowshoeing (26%). There system, increased lighting along trails, and accessible are a large variety of activities that users participate kayak and boat launches for disabled users. in on County parks, trails, and forests, with 25 distinct recreational activities having more than 10% of General Use - Parks respondents engaged. Accounting for reported uses and number of respondents, each individual or In order of reported visits, 85% or respondents visited family utilizes parks, trails, or forests for an average of Marathon Park (excluding the Ice Arena) within the 7 different recreational activities. past year, 80% visited Dells of Eau Claire, 75% Big Eau Pleine, 68% Bluegill Bay, 42% the Marathon Ice Arena, Community preferences for programming differ by and 40% the Eastbay Sports Complex. Marathon age (youth vs adult). For youth, the most needed Park, Eastbay Sports Complex, and Marathon Ice forms of programming are swim lessons (55%), sports Arena had the most repeat visits of 15 or more times instruction/introduction (40%), and organized sports per year. (28%). For adults, the most needed programmed activities are water fitness (64%), healthy cooking The least-visited parks among respondents were (59%), and pickleball lessons (58%). The largest need Ashley Park (< 3% of respondents had visited) and for both groups combined are family camping Trap River Dells (< 6%). The next reported least-visited events (75%), community events (69%), and adaptive parks included (in order) Cherokee (10%), Amco (special population) programs (61%). (11%), Big Rapids (14%), the Reitbrock Geographic Marker (17%), and Duane L. Corbin Shooting Range Funding (20%). If given opportunity to direct funding, 57% of survey General Use – Forests respondents would spend more on improving the conditions of existing parks or facilities, 51% on Forest units with the largest number of reported protecting lakes and stream corridors, and 50% on visits in the past year included Nine-Mile (69% of adding new facilities to the existing forests and parks. respondents visited at least once) and Wisconsin Only 28% and 30% would spend more on acquiring River (58% of respondents). These two forest units new forest land and park land, respectively. 44% of also had, by a significant margin, the largest number respondents, however, would approve of spending of repeat visitors. Respectively, 30% and 23% of more to acquire and develop new trails. The vast respondents visited 6 or more times annually. majority of respondents would continue the same amount of spending or increase spending in most The least-visited forest units were Miller (3% visited), areas. Bern Wetland (7%), and Elderon (7%), all with less than 10% of respondents having visited in the prior Nearly 70% of respondents felt that fees were year. appropriate for value received within the system, 3% felt that fees were underpriced, and an additional 16% were unsure. There were several comments Activities and Programming related to camping fees, and the possibility to collect fees at one time for boating, camping, and More than 68% of respondents indicated that dumping, or rolling them all into a single appropriate they participate in hiking within the system, and fee charged to all campers. more than 60% utilize the system for walking. The next most popular activities include biking (48% of

Chapter 4 | Analysis of Needs and Demands 39 Other Comments 4.5 REGIONAL & STATE INSIGHTS In addition to survey responses, we received 289 additional comments on Marathon County parks, Insights from the Wisconsin Statewide trails, and forest units at a PIM held on April 30, Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP), 2019. Many of these comments reflected potential 2019-2023 for improvements identified earlier in the process – running water/flush toilets/showers, hockey The recently updated Wisconsin SCORP features a facility improvements, and the desire for additional Recreation Opportunities Analysis (ROA). The ROA pickleball courts represented nearly 25% of the examines existing outdoor-recreation opportunities “other” comments received on 88 specific themes. compared to future opportunities in eight regions Other areas reflected in these comments include throughout Wisconsin. Marathon County is located desire for new/expanded indoor space for sports, in the Western Sands region. namely baseball, lacrosse, soccer, baseball, and/ or pickleball, more restrooms within the park system, The Western Sands Region has an abundance of and pursuing opportunities for snowmaking at Nine- public lands that draw visitors from Milwaukee, Mile county forest during the winter recreation Chicago and the Twin Cities. From camping to ATV season. riding and hunting to bird watching, the county and state forests and the expansive wildlife areas here Additional feedback received at the PIM consisted support a wide diversity of recreation. Although of a “Spending Activity, where attendees were largely rural, easy highway access and relatively given $1,000 “dollars” and the opportunity to spend inexpensive land prices within the region have it across any of 12 improvement categories. 52% increasingly made it a popular location for seasonal of all “dollars” spent went to expanding/improving home development. non-motorized trails, nearly triple the next-highest category, athletic facilities (19%). Trail emphasis The ROA found that residents of the Western Sands was placed at Nine Mile, mountain biking trails Region participate in the following activities at lower throughout the system of parks and forests, and rates than the State average: connecting/expanding trails so the entire system can be better accessed through active modes of • Sailing/stand-up paddle boarding transportation. Within the athletic facilities category, • Downhill skiing/snowboarding 46% of respondents identified the need for increased • Visiting a dog park pickleball facilities, while the rest were evenly split • Personal water craft - jet ski between improvements/expansion of both Eastbay and Marathon Ice Arena. Residents in the region participate at higher rates than the state average in big game hunting. Finally, the PIM also identified, through a mapping exercise, areas desired for future trail connections The most popular places to go in the region are the within the County. Many of these areas focused on Ice Age Trail, Black River State Forest, Rib Mountain connecting the City of Wausau to County parks and State Park, Hartman Creek State Park, and the Elroy forest units through active transportation modes, Sparta State Trail. as well as desire for a rails-to-trails conversion that could connect the current system and Wausau to Of the people who participated in the ROA, the Marshfield. majority (71%) selected the quality of trails as the most important factor in determining their favorite Full lists of survey and PIM comments are available in property to visit. The three next most important Appendix A. factors are the desire to be in a quiet place, good maps, signage or information about properties and quality of habitat.

40 Marathon County | Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan DESIRED TRAIL CONNECTIONS WITHIN THE SYSTEM

The following recreation activities are identified in the SCORP as high priority needs in the Western Figure 4.6 Statewide Outdoor Comprehensive Recreation Plan Sands Region: Planning Areas

• Bicycling - bicycle touring/road riding and mountain biking/off-road biking • Bird or wildlife watching • Camping - developed and primitive • Canoeing or kayaking • Cross country skiing • Dog walking • Fishing • Hiking, walking, trail running, backpacking • Horseback riding • Hunting - big game • Picnicking • Snowshoeing • Swimming in lakes and rivers

Chapter 4 | Analysis of Needs and Demands 41 Chapter 5 RECOMMENDATIONS

Chapter 5 | Recommendations 43 RECOMMENDATIONS

The quantitative, qualitative, and geographic analysis discussed in Chapter 4 reveals the need 5.1 EXISTING PARK FACILITIES for improvements to existing facilities, as well as the acquisition and development of new sites for future The following pages contain one- to two-page recreational use. It should be noted that some of spreads dedicated to each existing park in Marathon the recommendations may require considerable County. Each spread includes general information, cooperation with others, including the citizens facilities (and approximate install dates), and of Marathon County, local civic and business recommendations for improvements to existing parks associations, and State agencies. In nearly every and forests. Some of the recommendations identified case, more detailed planning, engineering, study, within this section are remnants from the 2007 budgeting, and/or discussion will be necessary Marathon County CORP. These recommendations before decisions are made to actually acquire land have been highlighted (*) where they occur. Other or construct recreational facilities. recommendations are drawn from the County’s 2021-2024 Capital Improvement Plan which was The recommendations of this plan are divided into already approved during this project. The remaining five major sections: (1) existing park facilities (2) new recommendations reflect staff, commission, public or expanded park facilities; (3) trail improvements; (4) and consultant feedback obtained during the miscellanous improvements. For recommendations planning process. related to forest units consult the latest copy of the Marathon County Forest Unit Managment Plan.

The timeline for completion of the recommendations is noted within each table of recommendations. High priority items should occur in the next 1-3 years (2022), Medium priority items should occur over the next three to five years (2024) and low priority items may not be completed within the next five years; however, initial planning activities may occur to bring these items closer to completion. Due to budgetary constraints it is unlikely that all of the recommendations within this chapter will be implemented in the next five years. Maintenance and improvement projects will be prioritized on an annual basis by County staff in conjunction with the county’s Parks Commission and Forestry and Recreation Committee as part of the County’s annual budget and Capital Improvement Plan.

Many of the recommendations regarding locating new park or trail facilities will be coordinated with the sale or donation of land by other parties; therefore, the timing is much more variable. Acquisition projects will be implemented through donation, dedication, purchase, or a combination thereof.

44 Marathon County | Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Chapter 5 | Recommendations 45 AMCO PARK Amco Park 30 Minute Drive Time

Park Address: 379 CTH F (Athens) Park Type: County Park ROS Class: R/RN Park Size (gross): 38.5 acres Park Size (active use): 6 acres Population (w/in 20 minutes): 72,796 # of Households (w/in 20 minutes): 29,580 Household Median Income (w/in 20 minutes): $52,227

July 09, 2019

TYPE INSTALL SQUARE FEET LOCATION YEAR Restroom 1976 182 east end of park Open shelter 1970 468 east end of parking lot Well shelter 1966 140 south of parking lot Playground n/a 2,881 west of parking lot Granite parking lot (20 spaces) n/a n/a park entrance on CTH F Granite parking lot (6 spaces) n/a 1,500 southwest of first parking lot

RECOMMENDATIONS

IMPROVEMENT PRIORITY (LOW-MED-HIGH) Add restrooms

46 Marathon County | Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Chapter 5 | Recommendations 47 ASHLEY PARK Ashley Park 30 Minute Drive Time

Park Address: 1600 Sandy Credd Road (Mosinee) Park Type: County Park ROS Class: RN Park Size (gross): 155.1 acres Park Size (active use): 0 acres Population (w/in 20 minutes): 152,193 # of Households (w/in 20 minutes): 61,665 Household Median Income (w/in 20 minutes): $54,676

July 09, 2019

TYPE INSTALL SQUARE FEET LOCATION YEAR none

RECOMMENDATIONS

IMPROVEMENT PRIORITY (LOW-MED-HIGH) Consider transferring to County forest for special use

48 Marathon County | Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Print Date:4/30/2019

RA SAN A LN R Printed By:abremer, File:P:\13700s\13750s\13751\13751000\GIS\Ashley.mxd

SAN CREE R ASHLEY COMPREHENSIVE OUTDOOR RECREATION PLAN County Parks County Forest nits MARATHON COUNTY, WISCONSIN

0 250 500 Feet Source Esri, igitallobe, eoEye, Earthstar eographics, CNESAirbus S, SA, SS, AeroR, N, and the S ser Community

Chapter 5 | Recommendations 49 BIG EAU PLEINE PARK Big Eau Pleine Park 30 Minute Drive Time

Park Address: 3301 Eau Pleine Park Road (Mosinee) Park Type: County Park ROS Class: RM Park Size (gross): 2,050.6 acres Park Size (active use): 265 acres Population (w/in 20 minutes): 83,734 # of Households (w/in 20 minutes): 33,986 Household Median Income (w/in 20 minutes): $58,202

July 09, 2019

TYPE INSTALL SQUARE FEET LOCATION YEAR Open shelter 1950 77 Pickerel Bay Well pump shelter #6 1970 180 Pickerel Bay Open shelter 1950 180 Fishing Point Picnic Area Dump station/septic n/a n/a Ranger Station Well 1985 n/a Ranger Station Ranger station 1985 704 across from horse parking Utility building (well) #1 1972 110 n/a Open shelter n/a 77 north of horse parking Open shelter n/a 77 north of horse parking Restroom n/a 56 north of horse parking Firewood shelter 1966 280 West Unit Campground Open shelter n/a 96 west of Ranger Station Well n/a n/a West Unit Campground Electric service n/a n/a West Unit Campground Restroom 2018 180 West Unit Campground (W7) Open shelter n/a 280 West Unit Campground (W39) Restroom n/a 180 West Unit Campground (W39)

50 Marathon County | Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan TYPE INSTALL SQUARE FEET LOCATION YEAR Asphalt parking lot (24 spaces) n/a 7,800 West Unit Campground (north) Asphalt parking lot (22 spaces, 2 n/a 8,949 West Unit Campground (center) ADA) Asphalt parking lot (12 spaces, n/a 17,385 West Unit Campground (south) 13 boat) Restroom n/a 420 West Unit Campground (beach) Playground n/a n/a West Unit Campground (beach) Restroom 1996 180 West Unit Campground (beach) Grill shelter #17 1965 240 West Unit Campground (beach) Well pump shelter 1961 180 West Unit Campground (beach) Enclosed shelter #19 1950 2,432 West Unit Campground (beach) Open shelter #18 n/a 576 West Unit Campground (beach) West Unit boat launch pier n/a 175 West Unit Campground Asphalt boat parking (12 boat) n/a 8,000 n/a Well pump shelter #5 1970 143 Group Campground Open shelter #21 n/a 768 Group Campground Restroom 2006 180 Group Campground Horse barn #23 1972 1,792 South Unit (south of disc golf) Firewood shelter 1972 280 South Unit Campground Restrooms (2) n/a 180 South Unit (north of firewood shelter) Asphalt boat parking (4 boat) n/a 3,200 South Unit Campground Well 1972 180 South Unit (by firewood shelter) Restroom 2010 180 South Unit (#99) Restroom 1974 600 South Unit (#63) Firewood shelter 1966 560 South Unit Campground Perimeter fence 2-12’ double n/a n/a South Unit (firewood sales) gates Asphalt parking lot (50 spaces, 2 n/a 1,100 South Unit (firewood sales) ADA) Open shelter 1979 660 South Unit (picnic area)

Chapter 5 | Recommendations 51 BIG EAU PLEINE PARK (CONTINUED)

TYPE INSTALL SQUARE FEET LOCATION YEAR Open shelter #27 n/a 143 South Unit (picnic area) Well pump #7 n/a n/a South Unit (boat launch area) Restroom n/a 180 South Unit (boat launch area) Asphalt boat parking (8 boat, 1 n/a 13,020 South Unit (boat launch area) ADA) Boat Launch n/a 175 South Unit Campground

RECOMMENDATIONS

IMPROVEMENT PRIORITY (LOW-MED-HIGH) Install shower building* Reconstruct campgrounds to meet current needs (add electric)* Prepare park master plan* Road Repairs High (2021 & 2022)

52 Marathon County | Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan BIG EAU PLEINE COUNTY PARK

Park Road (3 1/2 miles to STH 153)

Miles # Pickerel 00.125 0.25 0.5 0.75 1 Bay Revised, Feb. 2010

#Fishing Point

)"# P S" # ® Legend Park Roads Horse Trails # Trails WEST P - Parking UNIT CG - Boat Launches CG - Campground Disk GolfArea GC - Group Campground S" - Park Manager # - Open Shelters K$ - Enclosed Shelters # k )" - Rest Rooms Giant k - Wood Shed Hardwoods Nature Tr. ^_ - PlayGround Area SOUTH # UNIT CG

West Unit CG South Unit CG )" # P # )" k )" Sites 1-46 All Electric Sites 1-24 )" Electric Beach )" )" P ^_ Sites 25-60 K$ )" )" No Electric # ® ® GC Chapter 5 | Recommendations 53 BIG RAPIDS PARK Big Rapids Park 30 Minute Drive Time

Park Address: EP1806 Big Rapids Street (Stratford) Park Type: County Park ROS Class: R Park Size (gross): 28.9 acres Park Size (active use): 8 acres Population (w/in 20 minutes): 72,530 # of Households (w/in 20 minutes): 29,145 Household Median Income (w/in 20 minutes): $56,563

July 09, 2019

TYPE INSTALL SQUARE FEET LOCATION YEAR Restroom - vault type 1980 174 upper unit NW parking lot Open shelter 1971 600 upper unit adjacent to river Playground structures n/a 3,024 upper unit center Dam 1965 n/a river

RECOMMENDATIONS

IMPROVEMENT PRIORITY (LOW-MED-HIGH) Consider dam repair/removal Replace Playgrounds Medium (2024)

54 Marathon County | Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Big Rapids County Park

Hemlock Ln. Big Rapids St.

Hwy. 29

Abbotsford Co. "N"

Co. "P" 97Hwy.

Hwy. 13Hwy. µ

Big Rapids

Hwy. 153 Park Big Rapids St. Rapids Big

^`)" P Big Eau Pleine# River

Legend Picnic P Park Roads Area P - Parking # - Open Shelter )" - Rest Room DAM ^_ - Playground Area 0120 240 480 revised 10/22/14 Feet

Chapter 5 | Recommendations 55 BLUEGILL BAY PARK Bluegill Bay Park 30 Minute Drive Time

Park Address: 3800 Bluegill Avenue (Wausau) Park Type: County Park ROS Class: U/R Park Size (gross): 75.1 acres Park Size (active use): 33 acres Population (w/in 20 minutes): 129,802 # of Households (w/in 20 minutes): 52,654 Household Median Income (w/in 20 minutes): $57,309

TYPE INSTALL SQUARE FEET LOCATION YEAR Boat launch piers (4) n/a 468 north end of park Shelter #3 1979 n/a south of boat launch Asphalt boat parking (30 boat) n/a n/a north end of park Asphalt parking (32 spaces, 3 ADA) 2002 7,452 north restroom Restroom 1988 648 north park entrance Fishing pier n/a 127 lagoon, east of south parking Shelter #6 1969 648 north of south parking Restroom 1982 200 north of south parking Playground n/a 1,408 south parking lot Asphalt parking (80 spaces, 3 ADA) n/a 4,032 south lot Shelter #4 1969 1,440 south of south parking lot

56 Marathon County | Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan RECOMMENDATIONS

IMPROVEMENT PRIORITY (LOW-MED-HIGH) Prepare park master plan - to include installing park boundary fence, developing enclosed rentable shelter with amenities, moving park nursery and redeveloping for day use recreation* Replace Playground Medium (2023)

Chapter 5 | Recommendations 57 CHEROKEE PARK Cherokee Park 30 Minute Drive Time

Park Address: H2700 CTH N (Colby) Park Type: County Park ROS Class: R/RM Park Size (gross): 65.5 acres Park Size (active use): 20 acres Population (w/in 20 minutes): 77,116 # of Households (w/in 20 minutes): 30,761 Household Median Income (w/in 20 minutes): $54,040

July 09, 2019

TYPE INSTALL SQUARE FEET LOCATION YEAR Playground n/a 2,516 east of main shelter Restroom #5 1970 225 east of playground Octagon shelter 1955 n/a east of main shelter Enclosed shelter #1 1930 3,128 west of playground Well pump shelter #3 1968 195 adj. to enclosed shelter Open shelter 1968 336 west of enclosed shelter Asphalt parking lot (33 spaces) n/a 7,100 adj. to main park road

RECOMMENDATIONS

IMPROVEMENT PRIORITY (LOW-MED-HIGH) Replace Playground Medium (2023)

58 Marathon County | Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Chapter 5 | Recommendations 59 COURTHOUSE SQUARE Courthouse Square 30 Minute Drive Time

Park Address: 500 Forest Street (Wausau) Park Type: County Park ROS Class: U Park Size (gross): 0.4 acres Park Size (active use): ? acres Population (w/in 20 minutes): 127,726 # of Households (w/in 20 minutes): 51,860 Household Median Income (w/in 20 minutes): $57,116

July 09, 2019

TYPE INSTALL SQUARE FEET LOCATION YEAR none

RECOMMENDATIONS

IMPROVEMENT PRIORITY (LOW-MED-HIGH)

60 Marathon County | Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Chapter 5 | Recommendations 61 D.C. EVEREST PARK DC Everest Park 30 Minute Drive Time

Park Address: 1800 S 3rd Avenue (Wausau) Park Type: County Park ROS Class: U Park Size (gross): 6.2 acres Park Size (active use): 6.2 acres Population (w/in 20 minutes): 124,074 # of Households (w/in 20 minutes): 50,380 Household Median Income (w/in 20 minutes): $57,124

July 09, 2019

TYPE INSTALL SQUARE FEET LOCATION YEAR Restroom 1986 200 center of park Concession shelter 1989 468 NE corner of park near river Bleachers n/a n/a adj. to river for ski show Parking lighting - entryway & n/a n/a n/a parking Boat ramps with piers (2) n/a n/a water/river east & south Fishing pier n/a 560 south edge of river

RECOMMENDATIONS

IMPROVEMENT PRIORITY (LOW-MED-HIGH)

62 Marathon County | Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Chapter 5 | Recommendations 63 DELLS OF THE EAU CLAIRE PARK Dells of the Eau Claire Park 30 Minute Drive Time

Park Address: P2150 CTH Y (Aniwa) Park Type: County Park ROS Class: R/RN Park Size (gross): 266.5 acres Park Size (active use): 70 acres Population (w/in 20 minutes): 104,091 # of Households (w/in 20 minutes): 42,609 Household Median Income (w/in 20 minutes): $52,932

July 09, 2019

TYPE INSTALL SQUARE FEET LOCATION YEAR Enclosed shelter (Hess House) n/a 1,914 east of Y, north end of park Restroom n/a 250 adj. to beach Open shelter #13 n/a 630 adj. to beach Asphalt parking lot (40 spaces, 4 n/a 12,650 adj. to beach ADA) Asphalt parking lot (42 spaces) n/a 12,650 adj. to beach Enclosed shelter #1 1938 4,675 west of hwy, north of water Open well pump shelter 1938 165 east of enclosed shelter Open firewood shelter n/a 384 north of enclosed shelter Asphalt parking lot (22 spaces, 1 n/a 7,920 east of enclosed shelter ADA) Asphalt parking lot (29 spaces, 2 n/a 10,400 south of playground ADA) Restroom n/a 180 west of playground Playground n/a 8,400 NW of enclosed shelter Asphalt parking lot (5 spaces) n/a 1,250 west of enclosed shelter Granite parking lot (25 spaces) n/a 7,500 NE of group campground Open shelter n/a 468 NE of group campground Open shelter n/a 468 north of playground, west of Y

64 Marathon County | Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan TYPE INSTALL SQUARE FEET LOCATION YEAR Asphalt parking lot (20 spaces, 2 n/a 6,500 north of playground, west of Y ADA) Ampitheater 1955 777 north of group campground Restroom 1996 200 SW area of group campground High bridge 1930 1,170 west of Y near west park boundary Restroom n/a 105 south of river, west of Y Granite parking lot (10 spaces) n/a 3,500 south of river, west of Y Open shelter n/a 468 south of river, west of Y Restroom 1971 180 east of Y, campground Firewood shed 1938 546 north of campground Well 1969 n/a north of campground Manager’s cabin n/a 957 east of Y, east of campground Shed 1950 187 adj. to manager’s cabin Dam 1967 n/a adj. to manager’s cabin

RECOMMENDATIONS

IMPROVEMENT PRIORITY (LOW-MED-HIGH) Upgrade trails* Prepare park master plan

Chapter 5 | Recommendations 65 DELLS OF THE EAU CLAIRE PARK (CONTINUED)

66 Marathon County | Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Chapter 5 | Recommendations 67 DUANE L. CORBIN SHOOTING RANGE PARKDuane L. Corbin Shooting Range Park 30 Minute Drive Time

Park Address: 2173 Rifle Road (Mosinee) Park Type: County Park ROS Class: R Park Size (gross): 100.4 acres Park Size (active use): 60 acres Population (w/in 20 minutes): 117,152 # of Households (w/in 20 minutes): 47,327 Household Median Income (w/in 20 minutes): $58,205

TYPE INSTALL SQUARE FEET LOCATION YEAR Lodge (classroom) n/a 1,500 n/a Asphalt parking lot (9 spaces, 1 ADA) n/a 2,540 n/a Toilet 1968 672 n/a Septic with mound n/a n/a n/a 22 shooting benches, 14 covered n/a 1-6: 1,302 , 7: benches 1-22 141,652 3 retaining walls n/a n/a benches 15-20 Office n/a 320 n/a 2 retaining walls n/a n/a benches 7-14 3 retaining walls n/a n/a benches 1-6 600 yard range, 13 benches, 13 n/a 1,785 benches 1-13 covered Asphalt parking lot (48 spaces, 2 ADA) n/a 10,720 n/a 600 yard bunker 1967 960 benches 1-13

RECOMMENDATIONS

IMPROVEMENT PRIORITY (LOW-MED-HIGH)

68 Marathon County | Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Chapter 5 | Recommendations 69 Eastbay Sports Complex Duane L. Corbin Shooting Range Park 30 Minute Drive Time

Park Address: 602 E Kent St (Wausau) Park Type: County Park ROS Class: U Park Size (gross): 66.6 acres Park Size (active use): 66.6 acres Population (w/in 20 minutes): 115,389 # of Households (w/in 20 minutes): 46,953 Household Median Income (w/in 20 minutes): $57,308

TYPE INSTALL SQUARE FEET LOCATION YEAR Concessions & restroom n/a 1,120 north of main lot Play structure n/a 4,800 east of concessions Field lighting n/a n/a championship field Score board n/a 152 champtionship field Soccer goals n/a n/a all fields Maintenance & equipment storage n/a 1,200 north end Fuel system n/a 120 north of maint. bldg. Perimeter fence n/a 10,680 gates

RECOMMENDATIONS

IMPROVEMENT PRIORITY (LOW-MED-HIGH)

70 Marathon County | Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan SPORTS COMPLEX

1. RotoGraphic Printing 2. Wausau Coated 3. Open MAINTENANCE BUILDING 4. Brickner’s CELL TOWER 5. Make-A-Wish NORTH PARKING LOT 6. Wausau Noon Optimists

7. Peoples State Bank 1 2 8. First Impressions Y A W 4 5 9. Ascension

CURLING 10. Open 3 6 7 11. Mid-Wisconsin Beverage 8 12. Eastbay 13. Open 14. Allstate Insurance FIRST IMPRESSIONS 9 10 PLAYGROUND 15. Open

CONCESSIONS WALKING PATH WAUSAU CURLING CLUB

11 12

SOUTH PARKING LOT Y

A 13 14 15 W

CURLING

EAST KENT STREET

Chapter 5 | Recommendations 71 LIBRARY PARK Library Park 30 Minute Drive Time

Park Address: 106 W Washington Street (Wausau) Park Type: County Park ROS Class: U Park Size (gross): 1.0 acres Park Size (active use): 1.0 acres Population (w/in 20 minutes): 129,822 # of Households (w/in 20 minutes): 52,615 Household Median Income (w/in 20 minutes): $57,242

July 09, 2019

TYPE INSTALL SQUARE FEET LOCATION YEAR none

RECOMMENDATIONS

IMPROVEMENT PRIORITY (LOW-MED-HIGH)

72 Marathon County | Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Chapter 5 | Recommendations 73 Marathon County Park 30 Minute Drive Time MARATHON PARK

Park Address: 1201 Stewart Avenue (Wausau) Park Type: County Park ROS Class: U Park Size (gross): 79.3 acres Park Size (active use): 70 acres Population (w/in 20 minutes): 135,783 # of Households (w/in 20 minutes): 54,942 Household Median Income (w/in 20 minutes): $57,450

July 09, 2019 TYPE INSTALL SQUARE FEET LOCATION ©2019 Esri Page 1 of 1 YEAR Junction bathroom 1935 990 north of junction Junction playground n/a 1,410 north of junction Junction 1987 3,200 north of exhibition hall Electrical vault 1 1979 81 east of junction Electrical vault 2 1987 3,200 east of junction Big kitchen 1935 3,960 east of junction Campground electrical 1979 n/a n/a Tourist cabin n/a 2,176 east campground Campground shower n/a 960 east of campground Picnic shelter 1975 468 west of grandstand Playground n/a 2,800 west of grandstand Midway lights n/a n/a n/a Roadway lights n/a n/a n/a West substation n/a 726 west entrance Pole barn 1974 3,120 SW of grandstand Electric substation 2018 100 west of grandstand

74 Marathon County | Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan TYPE INSTALL SQUARE FEET LOCATION YEAR Water boxes (2) 1 RPZ 2018 n/a west of grandstand Perimeter fence (2 roller gates, 2 n/a 1,495 grandstand swing gates) Grandstand 1920 n/a center of park Grandstand restroom (shelter #5) n/a 3,025 SE of grandstand Grandstand lighting (7 poles) (9 n/a n/a n/a flood) (16 drop lights) Tennis courts/basketball (1 panel) n/a 25,920 west of MPB #1 (8 light poles) Food court electric (2 poles) (5 n/a n/a west of tennis courts panels) Horse arena announcer’s booth n/a 96 west of horse arena Ticket booth n/a 121 n/a Ticket booth n/a 121 n/a Stone walls n/a n/a east entrance N Stone walls n/a n/a east entrance S Red School House n/a 864 east end N of EGH Meeting hall 1968 1,500 north of School House NE ticketbooth n/a 100 n/a Stone walls n/a n/a NE entrance Iron exterior fence n/a n/a west & north perimeter Shelter #1 1982 468 north of open shelter Marquee n/a n/a north entrance Ticket booth n/a 100 n/a Shelter #3 w/ fireplace n/a n/a east of campground Electric substation 1980 81 north of grandstand Restrooms 1979 756 midway Playground n/a n/a north of midway restroom Shelter #2 n/a 468 north entrance Playground n/a 1,764 north entrance

Chapter 5 | Recommendations 75 MARATHON PARK (CONTINUED)

TYPE INSTALL SQUARE FEET LOCATION YEAR Octagon shelter 1932 n/a west pool cabin Vendor camp pads n/a 250 west of splashpad Spray pad w/ 8 play features n/a n/a n/a Train n/a n/a n/a Train shelter n/a 672 west of junction Pool cabin 1935 1,350 north of spray pad Spray pad mechanical bldg 1989 432 west of spray pad South perimeter fence n/a n/a south property line Ice rink shelter n/a 216 south of horse arena South entrance ticket booth n/a 64 south entrances Horse stables 1965 9,500 MPB #1 1973 39,560 south of exhibition MPB #2, compressor room 1986 25,800 south of exhibition MPB concession, locker rooms, n/a 2,835 n/a office Fire supression room n/a 176 north of MPB #2 Propane storage n/a 48 South of MPB #2 Poultry barn 1948 5,850 east of MPB #2 Rabbit barn #3 1948 12,250 east of poultry barn Judging pavilion 1920 n/a north of poultry barn Cattle barn 1 1962 10,000 north of judging pavilion Cattle barn 2 1920 10,000 north of cattle barn 1 East Gate Hall 1940 14,059 north of cattle barn 2 Exhibition Building 1924 27,600 west of East Gate Hall Farm Museum 1970 n/a east side of Exhibition Bldg. Garage n/a 700 west side of Exhibition Bldg. Log shelter 1967 160 east entrance

76 Marathon County | Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan RECOMMENDATIONS

IMPROVEMENT PRIORITY (LOW-MED-HIGH) Continue rehabilitation of historic structures* Prepare park master plan Replace Campground Playground High (2021) Park improvements High (2021)

Chapter 5 | Recommendations 77 MARATHON PARK (CONTINUED)

78 Marathon County | Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Chapter 5 | Recommendations 79 MISSION LAKE PARK Mission Lake Park 30 Minute Drive Time

Park Address: 400 County Park Road (Hatley) Park Type: County Park ROS Class: R Park Size (gross): 114.3 acres Park Size (active use): 13 acres Population (w/in 20 minutes): 86,964 # of Households (w/in 20 minutes): 34,954 Household Median Income (w/in 20 minutes): $56,872

July 09, 2019

TYPE INSTALL SQUARE FEET LOCATION YEAR Asphalt parking lot (53 spaces) n/a 15,296 west side of north lot Asphalt parking lot (47 spaces, 3 n/a 14,818 west side of south lot ADA) Restroom 1969 180 adjacent to beach Playground n/a 2,660 SE of beach restroom Open shelter 1982 1,998 east of boat launch Well pump shelter n/a 165 east of boat launch Boat launch n/a 158 SW area of park Asphalt boat parking (9 boat) n/a n/a boat launch Restroom n/a 180 north of boat launch Asphalt parking lot (58 spaces, 3 n/a 27,084 center of park, east of beach ADA) Open shelter n/a 638 north of boat launch restroom Open shelter n/a 638 north end of park

80 Marathon County | Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan RECOMMENDATIONS

IMPROVEMENT PRIORITY (LOW-MED-HIGH) Prepare park master plan* Replace Playground Medium (2022)

Chapter 5 | Recommendations 81 MOUNTAIN-BAY TRAIL Mountain-Bay Trail 30 Minute Drive Time

Park Address: Trailhead - Municipal Street (Weston) Park Type: County-Maintained Trail ROS Class: N/A Park Size (gross): N/A Park Size (active use): N/A Population (w/in 20 minutes): 119,715 # of Households (w/in 20 minutes): 48,486 Household Median Income (w/in 20 minutes): $57,493

July 09, 2019

TYPE INSTALL SQUARE FEET LOCATION YEAR Information building/restrooms n/a 512 trailhead Open picnic shelter n/a 270 trailhead east of parking Bridge n/a 756 0.4 mi east of CWY J Open picnic shelter n/a 168 landfill lot Bridge n/a 1,575 1.2 mi east of Duncan at Hatley Bridge n/a 168 0.6 mi east of Emonsville Rd Bridge n/a 182 1.2 mi east of Emonsville Rd Bridge n/a 16,200 1.4 mi east of Emonsville Rd Restroom n/a 64 Norrie west of lot Well shelter n/a 112 Norrie east of lot

RECOMMENDATIONS

IMPROVEMENT PRIORITY (LOW-MED-HIGH) Provide link to urban area*

82 Marathon County | Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Chapter 5 | Recommendations 83 REITBROCK GEOGRAPHICAL MARKERReitbrock Geographical Marker

Park Address: 5651 Meridian Road (Athens) Park Type: County Park ROS Class: R Park Size (gross): 0.9 acres Park Size (active use): 0.9 acres Population (w/in 20 minutes): 92,548 # of Households (w/in 20 minutes): 37,165 Household Median Income (w/in 20 minutes): $53,006

July 09, 2019

TYPE INSTALL SQUARE FEET LOCATION YEAR 45x90 monument 2018 113 n/a

RECOMMENDATIONS

IMPROVEMENT PRIORITY (LOW-MED-HIGH)

84 Marathon County | Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Print Date:4/30/2019

MERANR Printed By:abremer, File:P:\13700s\13750s\13751\13751000\GIS\45N90WMarker.mxd 45N-90W MARKER COMPREHENSIVE OUTDOOR RECREATION PLAN County Parks County Forest nits MARATHON COUNTY, WISCONSIN

0 125 250 Feet Source Esri, igitallobe, eoEye, Earthstar eographics, CNESAirbus S, SA, SS, AeroR, N, and the S ser Community

Chapter 5 | Recommendations 85 RIB FALLS PARK Rib Falls Park

Park Address: 1725 CTH S (Edgar) Park Type: County Park ROS Class: N/A Park Size (gross): 308.4 acres Park Size (active use): 10 acres Population (w/in 20 minutes): 135,309 # of Households (w/in 20 minutes): 54,338 Household Median Income (w/in 20 minutes): $55,843

July 09, 2019

TYPE INSTALL SQUARE FEET LOCATION YEAR Restroom 1991 292 center of park Open shelter 1990 468 south end of park Playground n/a 2,700 south end of park Dam n/a n/a river

RECOMMENDATIONS

IMPROVEMENT PRIORITY (LOW-MED-HIGH) Finalize development plan for park* Replace Playground Medium (2024)

86 Marathon County | Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Chapter 5 | Recommendations 87 SUNNY VALE PARK Sunny Vale Park 30 Minute Drive Time

Park Address: 1000 S 72nd Avenue (Wausau) Park Type: County Park ROS Class: R Park Size (gross): 363.2 acres Park Size (active use): 40 acres Population (w/in 20 minutes): 139,245 # of Households (w/in 20 minutes): 56,115 Household Median Income (w/in 20 minutes): $57,319

TYPE INSTALL SQUARE FEET LOCATION YEAR Electrical vault n/a 64 west end of park Retaining wall n/a n/a north end of lake Restroom 1 n/a 192 west restroom, north of lake Restroom 2 n/a 192 east restroom, north of lake Picnic shelter 1 1975 468 west parking area Picnic shelter 2 1976 468 east parking lot Fishing pier 1987; 2012 n/a east end of lake RC shelter n/a 468 RC park Chain link fence n/a n/a RC park Bridge n/a n/a n/a

88 Marathon County | Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan RECOMMENDATIONS

IMPROVEMENT PRIORITY (LOW-MED-HIGH) Update park master plan*

Chapter 5 | Recommendations 89 SUNNY VALE SOFTBALL COMPLEX Sunny Vale Softball Complex 30 Minute Drive Time

Park Address: 1000 S 66th Avenue (Wausau) Park Type: County Park ROS Class: R Park Size (gross): 35 acres Park Size (active use): 35 acres Population (w/in 20 minutes): 132,377 # of Households (w/in 20 minutes): 53,451 Household Median Income (w/in 20 minutes): $57,321

July 09, 2019

TYPE INSTALL SQUARE FEET LOCATION YEAR Concessions, restroom, open 1980 2,400 center of park shelter Open shelter 1981 468 volleyball courts Maintenance garage 1980 480 east of entrance Electrical shed 1983 63 between diamonds 1 & 2 Open shelter 1986 468 between diamonds 1 & 2 5 diamonds n/a n/a n/a 10 dugouts (1 w/ press box) 1979 100 n/a Press box 1983 n/a n/a 10 bleachers n/a n/a n/a 5 scoreboards n/a 100 n/a Fencing n/a 28,470 n/a Electrical/storage shed n/a 280 diamond 5 Electrical shed n/a 63 between diamond 3 & 4 Open shelter 1986 468 between diamond 3 & 4 Field lighting n/a n/a n/a

90 Marathon County | Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan STEWART A ENTERPRSE R Print Date:4/30/2019

FF RAMP STATE 29 WEST

STATE WA 29 STATE 29 EAST N RAMP

S 84T A 84TS STATE WA 29

STATE 29 WEST N RAMP A 62N S

S 80T A STATE 29 EAST FF RAMP

S 72N A 72N S S 60T A 60T S

MARER CT A 66TS

PACER R Printed By:abremer, File:P:\13700s\13750s\13751\13751000\GIS\SunnyVale.mxd

SUNNY VALEREWN COMPREHENSIVE OUTDOOR RECREATION PLAN County Parks County Forest nits MARATHON COUNTY, WISCONSIN R

0 250 500 Feet Source Esri, igitallobe, eoEye, Earthstar eographics, CNESAirbus S, SA, SS, AeroR, N, and the S ser Community RECOMMENDATIONS

IMPROVEMENT PRIORITY (LOW-MED-HIGH) Update park master plan* Install underground irrigation in ballfields* Pave parking lots* Replace backstop and scorer’s box High (2021) Infield repaires High (2021)

Chapter 5 | Recommendations 91 TRAPPE RIVER DELLS PARK Trappe River Dells 30 Minute Drive Time

Park Address: Town of Texas (no road access) Park Type: County Park ROS Class: P Park Size (gross): 79.3 acres Park Size (active use): 0 acres Population (w/in 20 minutes): 121,441 # of Households (w/in 20 minutes): 49,708 Household Median Income (w/in 20 minutes): $54,770

TYPE INSTALL SQUARE FEET LOCATION YEAR none

RECOMMENDATIONS

IMPROVEMENT PRIORITY (LOW-MED-HIGH) Prepare master plan*

92 Marathon County | Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Print Date:4/30/2019 Printed By:abremer, File:P:\13700s\13750s\13751\13751000\GIS\TrappeRiverDells.mxd TRAPPE RIVER DELLS COMPREHENSIVE OUTDOOR RECREATION PLAN County Parks County Forest nits MARATHON COUNTY, WISCONSIN

0 250 500 Feet Source Esri, igitallobe, eoEye, Earthstar eographics, CNESAirbus S, SA, SS, AeroR, N, and the S ser Community

Chapter 5 | Recommendations 93 Appendix A SURVEY & APRIL 30, 2019 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT MEETING SUMMARY

Appendix A | Survey & PIM Summary A-1 COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS

COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS To encourage public involvement in the Marathon County Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, the County created an online public opinion survey. The survey was available April 16 through May 11, 2018 and hosted on Survey Monkey. Hard copies were also available at the Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department.

In total, 1,194 individuals took the survey. Approximately 88% of those who took the survey live in Marathon County, while the additional 12% vacation or recreate within Marathon County. 25% of all respondents live in the City of Wausau, which is slightly less than the City’s percentage of the County population (29%). 11% live in the Village of Weston, which equals the Village’s percentage of the County population. 11% live in the Town of Rib Mountain, which is greater than the Town’s percentage of the County’s population (5%). 5% live the Village of Kronenwetter, which equals the Village’s percentage of the County population. The remaining in-County repondents were distributed between other cities, villages, and towns of Marathon County, refer to Q17 on page A-16.

The survey represents a diverse group demographically, though certain groups were under- and over-represented. Generally younger members of the community were under-represented and those categorized as middle-age were over-represented. For instance, those under 19 and under represented 0.2% of survey respondents but make up 27.1% of Marathon County residents. Those age 35-54 represented 45.2% of survey respondents but only make up 28.8% of the population of the County. The fi gure depicting respondents’ answers to their corresponding age group compared to 2013-2017 American Community Survey Estimates is shown under question 1 on page A-3.

Responses in this summary include responses for all survey respondents no matter their place of residence, and include comments.

A-2 Marathon County | Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Q1 ON A SCALE OF 0-100, HOW IMPORTANT DO YOU THINK THE COUNTY’S PARKS, FOREST UNITS, TRAILS, AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES ARE TO THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE COUNTY? (1,168)

91 OUT OF 10

Q2 ON A SCALE OF 0-100, HOW SATISFIED ARE YOU WITH THE COUNTY’S CURRENT VARIETY OF PARKS, FOREST UNITS, TRAILS, AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES? (1,184)

75 OUT OF 10

Overall, County parks, forest units, trails, and recreational facilities are valued by residents and visitors, and users believe they are important to quality of life in the County.

There is also overall satisfaction of the variety and quality of off erings that allow for a range of uses and choices in recreational activity. Appendix A | Survey & PIM Summary A-3 Q3 ON A SCALE OF 1-100, HOW SATISFIED ARE YOU WITH THE QUALITY OF THE COUNTY’S PARKS, FOREST UNITS, TRAILS, AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES? (1,186)

75 OUT OF 10

Q4 WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING AMENITITES WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE ADDED, IMPROVED, OR EXPANDED BY EITHER PUBLIC, NON-PROFIT, OR PRIVATE ENTITES WITHIN THE COUNTY? MARK UP TO 7 PREFERENCES (1,122)

1,600

1,400

1,200

1,000

800

600

400

200

A-4 Marathon County | Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Q4* COMMON RESPONSES WITHIN TRAILS CATEGORY (1,474)

26% of respondents selected hiking trails, 16% paved trails, and 12% mountain bike trails. Cross country skiing and ATV/ UTV trails each represented 9% of the total for the category.

“Other” responses in this category included responses for Trail Ligting (8%), Snowshoeing (7%), Trail Signage (6%), Directional Signage to Parks/Facilities (3%), Snowmobile Trails (2%), and Equestrian Trails (1%).

Hiking Trails Paved Trails MTB Trails CC Skiing Trails ATV/UTV Trails Other (6 Categories)

Q4* COMMON RESPONSES WITHIN SUPPORT FACILITIES CATEGORY (644)

Restrooms Shelters Benches, Tables, Grills Park Signage/Historical Markers The most common Facilities response was for added/improved restroom facilities (43%), followed by trail lighting (19%), signage/hIstorical markers (15%), with shelters and benches/tables/grills each receiving 12% of the responses. Appendix A | Survey & PIM Summary A-5 Q4* COMMON RESPONSES WITHIN CAMPING CATEGORY (636)

Camping Areas

Responses were evenly split within the camping category, with 51% indicating camping areas (more camping, improvements to campsites), and 49% indicating camping support facilities (restrooms, showers, etc.)

Q4* COMMON RESPONSES WITHIN WATER RESOURCES CATEGORY (462)

Water Trails 53% of all responses in this category indicated demand for new/improved canoe and kayak facilities, particularily increased number of and access to launches.

A-6 Marathon County | Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Q4* COMMON RESPONSES WITHIN PRESERVATION/RESTORATION CATEGORY (536)

Bird/Wildlife Habitat Landscaping/Trees

The majority of respondents prioritized bird/wildlife habitat within this category (38%) and river/shoreline restoration (33%).

Q4* COMMON RESPONSES WITHIN ACTIVE RECREATION/FACILITIES CATEGORY (1,167) 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0%

The variety of responses within Active Recreaction/Facilities was distributed from 14% for Indoor Multisport Athletic Complex to 1% for football fi elds, and in all accounted for 22 distinct sub-categories.

Appendix A | Survey & PIM Summary A-7 Q4* “OTHER” RESPONSES WITHIN ACTIVE RECREATION/FACILITIES CATEGORY (391)

Q5 OVER THE PAST 12 MONTHS DID YOU VISIT OR USE A COUNTY PARK OR FOREST UNIT? (1,108)

97% YES

Yes No

A-8 Marathon County | Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Q6 IF YOU INDICATED YOU DID NOT VISIT OR USE COUNTY PARKS, FOREST UNITS, OR TRAILS, PLEASE TELL US WHY. CHECK ALL THAT APPLY. (28)

Other (please specify)

Lack of accessible recreaƟon faciliƟes

Lack of recreaƟonal programs

Too expensive

I prefer to visit Village or City parks

Lack of transportaƟon

County parks are too far from my home

Lack of ameniƟes/acƟviƟes that interest me

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

Answers from the category of Other include: ◊ No time ◊ Road Bicycling is preferred sport - no options at County facilities ◊ Need more areas and activities for older adults ◊ Lack of good campgrounds ◊ Personal Schedule too busy ◊ I prefer to stay home and enjoy my yard ◊ No time ◊ Ice Age Trail Hiker ◊ No camping sites ◊ Unsure exactly what’s available / new to town ◊ No time ◊ New to area ◊ Never thought about visiting them, usually go to local park

Appendix A | Survey & PIM Summary A-9 Q7 HOW OFTEN OVER THE PAST YEAR DID YOU OR SOMEONE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD VISIT OR USE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AT THE FOLLOWING COUNTY PARKS? (867)

Ashley

Trap River Dells

Cherokee

Amco

Big Rapids

45N -90W Geographic Marker

Corbin ShooƟng Range Rib Falls

Sunny Vale SoŌball Complex Mission Lake

D.C. Everest County

Marathon JuncƟon Sunny Vale Park (other than previous)

Marathon Ice Arena

Eastbay Sports Complex

Bluegill Bay

Dells of Eau Claire

Big Eau Pleine

Marathon Park (other than previous)

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

13 or more visits per year 6-12 visits per year 1-5 visits per year 0 visits in the past year

Marathon Park, Dells of Eau Claire, and Big Eau Pleine are VISITED AT LEAST ONCE IN THE PAST YEAR the most visited parks within 90% the County system, with each 80% 70% being visited by at least once 60% annually by 75% of survey 50% respondents. 40% 30% Ashley and Trap River Dells 20% are the only parks in the 10% sytem which less than 10% of 0% respondents indicated they had visited within the past year.

A-10 Marathon County | Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Q8 HOW OFTEN OVER THE PAST YEAR DID YOU OR SOMEONE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD VISIT OR USE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AT THE FOLLOWING COUNTY FOREST UNITS? (862)

Miller Elderon Bern Wetland HewiƩ-Harrison (Bitzke Refuge) Leather Camp Ringle Marsh Burma Road KronenweƩer Wisconsin River Nine-Mile

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

13 or more visits per year 6-12 visits per year 1-5 visits per year 0 visits in the past year s per year 0 visits in the past year VISITED AT LEAST ONCE IN THE PAST YEAR Survey Respondents 80% indicated less overall 70% visits to County Forest 60% Units as opposed 50% to County Parks, 40% however there are 30% forest units within the 20% system that receive 10% large visitor shares. 0% Nearly 70% of respondents had visited Nine-Mile in the past year (69%), and 58% had visited the Wisconsin River Forest unit.

Appendix A | Survey & PIM Summary A-11 Q9 DO YOU OR MEMBERS OF YOUR HOUSEHOLD COMMONLY (AN AVERAGE OF 4 TIMES PER YEAR OR MORE) DRIVE SOMEWHERE OUTSIDE OF MARATHON COUNTY TO USE THE SAME SPECIFIC PARK, RECREATIONAL FACILITY, OR PROGRAM? (1,040)

49.5% of respondents indicated they do not commonly drive to a specifi c location to recreate outside of Marathon County, while 50.5% indicated they do commonly travel to the same location ouside of the County. Common Responses of other parks and facilities: ◊ Camping (locations across the State) ◊ Hockey Rinks around the State ◊ Council Grounds State Park ◊ Door County ◊ Ice Age Trail ◊ Kettle Moraine ◊ Minocqua ◊ Mountain Biking (across the State) ◊ Northern Highlands ◊ Portage County Parks Yes No ◊ Shawano County

Q10 IN WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES DO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY PARTICIPATE AT COUNTY PARKS, FOREST UNITS, AND TRAILS? (1,041)

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

Common Responses for Other: ◊ Pickleball ◊ Skateboarding ◊ Hunting ◊ Snow Fat Biking ◊ Road Biking (Paved Paths)

A-12 Marathon County | Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Q11 HOW SATISFIED ARE YOU WITH THE APPEARANCE, MAINTENANCE, CLEANLINESS, SAFETY, AND ACCESSIBILITY OF MARATHON COUNTY’S PARKS, FOREST UNITS, AND TRAILS? (1,043)

Accessibility

Safety

Cleanliness

Maintenance

Appearance

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

SaƟsĮed or Very SaƟsĮed DissaƟsĮed or Very DissaƟsĮed

Reason Given for Dissatisfaction

Signage

Hockey Improvements

More Pickleball Courts

Intoxicated Users

Shower AddiƟons/Improvements

Campisite Maintenance/Improvements

Garbage in Park or Pickup

Trail Improvements Needed

Cleanliness/availability of bathrooms

0 102030405060

Reason Given for Dissatisfaction, by Park 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0

Appearance Maintenance Cleanliness Safety Accessibility Appendix A | Survey & PIM Summary A-13 Q12 HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE CURRENT PROGRAM AND FACILITY FEES CHARGED DIRECTLY TO YOU BY THE MARATHON COUNTY PARKS, RECREATION, AND FORESTRY DEPARTMENT? (1,022)

13% 83% Excluding those who responded as “unsure” (16% of total), a large majority of users believe that fees within the Marathon County park, forest, and trail system are appropriate for the value received from use and activities.

Fees are under-priced for the value received Fees are acceptable for the value received Fees are too high for the value received

Q13 HOW WOULD YOU DIRECT FUTURE FUNDING FOR COUNTY PARK, FOREST UNIT, TRAIL, AND RECREATIONAL FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS? (1,010)

Improving recreaƟonal programs

ProtecƟng lakes and stream corridors

Improve condiƟon of exisƟng trail faciliƟes

Improve condiƟon of exisƟng park faciliƟes

Add new faciliƟes to exisƟng parks/forest…

Acquiring addiƟonal land for tr ails

Acquiring addiƟonal forest land

Acquiring addiƟonal parkland

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Spend more Spend the same Spend less

Overall, respondents would prioritize their own spending toward improvements of the existing park, forest, and trail system as their top priority from the list, followed by protecting lakes and stream corridors, and adding new facilities to existing parks and forests. Less than 2% of respondents (1.97%) would spend less on improving the current existing park facilities.

Only 7.2% of the votes cast within all categories were for less spending, indicating support for maintaining and improving the County outdoor recreation system. Within the spend more responses, acquiring additional land for forest units or parks received the least priority among the eight categories.

A-14 Marathon County | Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Q14 PLEASE INDICATE IF YOUOR ANYONE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD HAS THE NEED FOR EACH OF THE RECREATION PROGRAMS LISTED BELOW (843)

Organized Sports Family Camping Event Healthy Cooking/Grilling Card or Board Game Tournaments Techology Support Community Events Day Trips by Bus Sports InstrucƟon/IntroducƟon Gaming AdapƟve (special populaƟons) Programs

Water Fitness Yes Bird Watching No Walking/Hiking Club Arts and Cultural ExploraƟon MarƟal Arts CraŌing First Aid/CPR/AED Swimming Lessons Tennis Lessons Pickleball Lessons Exercise/Fitness Open Gym Nights

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Q14 PLEASE INDICATE IF YOUOR ANYONE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD HAS THE NEED FOR EACH OF THE RECREATION PROGRAMS LISTED BELOW, INDICATING YOUTH ADULT OR BOTH (843)

Organized Sports

Family Camping Event

Healthy Cooking/Grilling

Card or Board Game Tournaments

TechologySupport

Community Events

Day Trips by Bus

Sports InstrucƟon/IntroducƟon

Gaming

AdapƟve (special populaƟons) Programs

Water Fitness Both

Bird Watching Adult

Walking/HikingClub Youth

Arts and Cultural ExploraƟon

MarƟal Arts

CraŌing

First Aid/CPR/AED

Swimming Lessons

Tennis Lessons

Pickleball Lessons

Exercise/Fitness

Open Gym Nights

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

Appendix A | Survey & PIM Summary A-15 Q16 WHAT IS YOUR AGE? (989) 25%

20%

15% Q17 ARE THERE ANY PERSONS LIVING IN 10% YOUR HOME THAT ARE UNDER THE AGE OF 18? (981)

5% 42.5% 0% Under 15 15-19 20-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75 or older Survey Respondents PopulaƟon of County

27% of all Marathon County households 57.5% contain 1 or more persons under the age of 18.

Q18 IN WHAT COMMUNITY IS YOUR PRIMARY Yes No RESIDENCE? (975) City of Wausau Not a County Resident Village of Weston Town of Rib Mountain Village of KronenweƩer Village of Rothschild Town of Steƫn Town of Wausau City of Mosinee Village of Marathon City Town of Weston Town of Mosinee Village of Hatley Town of Easton Village of Maine City of SchoĮeld Town of Ringle Town of Marathon Town of Green Valley Town of Texas Town of Hamburg Town of Cleveland Town of Rib Falls Town of Plover City of MarshĮeld Town of Knowlton Town of Emmet Town of Cassel Village of Straƞord Town of Reid Village of Athens Town of Bergen Town of McMillan Town of Berlin Town of Wien Village of Spencer Town of Day Town of Spencer Town of Elderon Village of Birnamwood Town of Holton Town of HewiƩ Town of Guenther Town of Franzen Town of Frankfort Village of Fenwood Town of Eau Pleine Village of Dorchester City of Colby Town of Bevent Town of Bern City of Abbotsford 0.00% 5.00% 10.00% 15.00% 20.00% 25.00% 30.00% A-16 Marathon County | Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Q15 PLEASE PROVIDE ANY OTHER COMMENTS (OPEN-ENDED) (289) Common Comment Categories 30

Q17* FULL COMMENTS (289) ◊ Snow making at 9 mile sit for eating or to sit between dog, exercise, etc. Th ey’re some of restrooms - preferably modernized. ◊ Limit motorized vehicles - such games. Updated concessions stand the best features of Marathon Co. ◊ We are avid XC skiiers. Th e as ATVs defi nitely need more room in this quality of life!! quality of the grooming at Nine ◊ We need shoulders on county one. Same as above 3rd rink at ◊ Keep up the good work. Mile could be improved. Th e highways that have lots of traffi c marathon park ◊ Th ere is a need for additional desk staff is great, but the overall and that are good bike routes and ◊ We would benefi t from off road park personnel and oversite appearance of atmosphere of the connections. bike trails connecting communities ◊ Some non- technical ( not Chalet could be improved as well. ◊ more camping sites at all county along rivers or rail trails. Mara- mountain bike ) free county bike Winter Park in Minocqua could parks are needed - thon City, Athens, Edgar etc. trails might be nice. Any old rail be a model for what we could/ ◊ Th e pricing for the park facilities ◊ With the growing Pickleball beds around? should have here in a much more has rose signifi cantly. We used to players, we need more courts. ◊ I should get a free pass for populated area with a much bigger book these park facilities for ac- With only 3 courts,we sometimes mountain bay trail for the amount draw. Food concessions should tivities like a birthday party to get have as many as 30 to 40 players of time I spend cleaning it up. certainly be considered and an our families to utilize the parks and ◊ more sites available with water ◊ 1. Increase miles for mountain equipment outlet could do very to be outside. However, we can no and electric. biking. Need at least 1 trail system well here, especially considering longer aff ord the current pricing ◊ Indoor sports facility would with 20+ miles in length to attract the lack of local quality access to structures of these facilities, which allow typically outdoor sports (ie, people to come and move/travel XC ski equipment. Th anks is unfortunate. soccer and baseball) to practice here. ◊ I feel the county parks are very ◊ New bathrooms bluegill park, indoors when the weather/outside ◊ 2. Reduced fees for X-C skiing good. I think the charge for cross more equipment at parks that tar- fi eld conditions are not conducive and snowshoeing country skiing at 9 mile is too get older kids 8-12 year old range! to practicing outside. Th ere is ◊ 3. Allow fat biking on snow much. Th e sled hill is marvelous. ◊ Make Seating available for fam- limited indoor space right now, shoe trails at 9 mile ◊ See comments on Question 13. ilies inside marathon park hockey and the athletes are negatively ◊ 4. Better signage for cross coun- Maybe more groups, young and rink spent far to many night and impacted by this shortage try skiing old have trail or park clean ups. weekends there and no where to ◊ Love the parks for walking the ◊ Blue Gill park needs more ◊ We’re lucky in this County Appendix A | Survey & PIM Summary A-17 ◊ Please consider improvements to fi rewood policy is nonsense - since ◊ Take care of and improve what winter/bad weather days. Improve “life-long” sporting activities like there is no known way to actually we already have! tennis courts at Marathon Park and Nordic Skiing and Biking. Th ese stop the emerald ash borer, and ◊ Trail signage at Dells of the Eau tennis/pickleball courts at other typically are participants that con- fi rewood can be transported all Claire is sadly lacking. At least add tennis court locations. Unsure tinue to invest in these activities over for private land use, not al- some Ice-Age-Trail-style slashes or what conditions are like at the Oak for much of their able lives. Th ese lowing fi rewood to be brought into markers on trees. Island tennis courts. are also activities that people from the campground does nothing but ◊ Indoor facility. ◊ Additional facilities for hosting outside the area will travel here punish the campers. ◊ Keep publishing in the informa- trail based events outside of Nine for if you provide the value and ◊ Better bathrooms tion you do because it’s great. Will Mile experience. ◊ Please continue to have staff be buried in more online to get ◊ How about a permanent orien- ◊ Th e camping area at Dells of drive and observe campsite areas information for the summer pro- teering course? the EauClaire should have a dump for safety concerns and for observ- grams for adults and grandchildren ◊ We could use another sheet of station, where are the campers ing rules are respected by campers. under fi ve. Th ank you for making ice for hockey, total of 3. We could disposing of their waste water? thanks out the survey hope you get some use one sheet to be an all year ◊ Some parks would be greatly ◊ Full hook up sites in eau claire great answers round facility. Th e other builds improved with the addition of dells ◊ Limit new trail and building/fa- could become a fi eld for indoor running water and fl ush toilets, ◊ See previous comments regard- cilities to absolute necessity! Leave soccer on inline skating when the but I am aware it may attract more ing lake water quality the forests to be forests, not trails, ice is out. Th e location could be unwanted use and adds additional ◊ more camping sites that accept buildings and concrete slabs with moved in the park so not interfere maintenance and up keep costs reservations, able to cancel reserva- ‘trees between’ like Rib Mountain! with fair. ◊ Add more mileage to 9-Mile tions on line. ◊ Would like to see additional ◊ Marathon County has the poten- mountain bike trails, and don’t cut ◊ Keep clean, policed, and man- Pickelball courts tial to be a cycling destination on as much time off for hunting. Very aged. ◊ extend the pave trail from Ryan par with the CAMBA system and few hunters use the area, there ◊ Showers at campgrounds street to camp Phillips road in the Marquette, MI. More mountain is so much other better hunting ◊ Add shower facilities to the Big village of Weston. bike trails, bicycle friendly routes land available for them. Another Eau Pleine Campground. ◊ Add additional 6 Pickleball to trailheads, and more cycling thought is when there is logging at ◊ Campground should be fi rst court in Marathon park. paths are needed to achieve this 9-Mile, mark some trees right next come fi rst serve and be able to get ◊ Establishing greenway corridors and the ROI would be signifi cant. to the trails for the loggers to leave them out at camp parks not just to connect park and forest areas ◊ A permanent space to hold prac- behind rather than a complete going through computers because would be awesome. tices and play the sport of roller clear-cut. not all of us have computers to able ◊ Th e amazing outdoor access to derby would be so benefi cial to the ◊ fl ush toilets restrooms and to do that for campgrounds and places like Nine Mile are the reason county and could expand the sport showers campers we live in Marathon County. to youths if there was dedicated ◊ Running water to sites and ◊ Shower facilities at camp- ◊ Appreciate the renewed eff orts space for it. Please consider it. showers at the DEC n the Big Eau grounds, even if pay to use. to improve the premier hiking ◊ See previous, please improve the Pleine campgrounds.Spend some ◊ More opportunities for volun- experience on the Ice Age Trail Rink 1 & 2 “barns” money Marathon County n get it teers. along the Ringle segment. I hope ◊ Marathon park needs a new or done. Th anks ◊ More activities and spaces for the future will provide opportuni- updated indoor hockey venue. ◊ Stop being a catch all to every- people to spend time outside- ties to reduce the amount of road ◊ Pickleball is the fastest grow- one. Stay with maintaining outdoor Marathon County has a beautiful walk miles. ing sport in the nation. We need nature sites and create more public system of parks that we are lucky ◊ Snow making for cross country a indoor facility to support this access. Stop trying to be social ac- to have. People are eager to be out- skiing growing sport with up to at least 8 tivities catch all. You are not good side enjoying our beautiful state. ◊ Continue to build and connect courts. at it and you waste money trying ◊ With Pickleball growing more road bike trails across the county. ◊ Eliminate or drastically reduce to do it. popular daily, more courts are Th e improvements made over the launch fees for boaters. Th e ◊ Man-made snow under the needed and would draw visiters to recent years have been fantastic fees for the landings in Marathon lights at 9 Mile would provide our area for tournaments, etc. and people from other areas are County are as high or higher more days/hours for people to get ◊ Overall, quite please with the taking notice! than landings in Brown, Oconto, off the couch and into the great quanity and quality of Parks ◊ I would like to see more bike Marinette and other counties outdoors burning calories and and forest lands available in the trails for both mountain bike and with landings and facilities that being rejuvenated so they are ready county. We are lucky to have such leisure. I would like to see more are substantially bigger and have for whatever life brings next. treasures. It is important to keep county forest campgrounds with signifi cantly more amenities(large ◊ I do not live in the county so multiple use forest units for timber electric facilities. public bathrooms, 6-8 lane boat I only use camping in Marathon production, recreation, hunting ◊ Th e recreational activities launches with docks, fi sh cleaning Park which infl uences my answers and the general public’s use. Less listed in question 13 are currently houses, etc.). Th e Marathon Coun- or lack of answers. people can aff ord their own land available throughout our commu- ty boat landings have had no major ◊ Upgrade your camping elec- and it is important for people to nity whether through the YMCA improvements for many years yet trical!!!!!!!!!!! AMPS NEED TO recreate and be in the outdoors so or other various organizations. I the boaters are the only ones that BE UPGRADED TO 50..... you they appreciate and support natu- would prefer to see funding used have to pay a daily fee to use the barely have 30 amps on fi ve sites ral resource conservation. to enhance/improve the parks majority of the parks. Other activi- combined FIX IT !!!!!!! ◊ Continue to off er the diversity of in Marsthon County rather than ties(frisbee golf in particular) have ◊ Charging separate fees for camp- facilities and programs and adapt support programs. had signifi cant improvements over ing, boat launch, and dump station facilities and programs to keep ◊ Please extend the mountain bike the years and can use their portion is ridiculous - when camping, one current with trends...and the needs season at 9 mile into November. of the parks for free everyday. fee should cover it all. Also, the of the upcoming generations. ◊ Indoor pickleball facility for ◊ Another inconvenience for the A-18 Marathon County | Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan paying boaters is the trailer-only of tournaments are in green bay, the new/newer board will provide would use it multiple times weekly parking. Several times a week private coaching and practices in a better more safe environment for over the winter months for practic- or more, non-trailer vehicles are green bay. Lots of money is leaving the users of the facility. es, skills sessions and I could fore- parked in these areas with no con- the area. We have no place in ◊ Geese are becoming a bigger see hosting a weekend tournament sequence. Even aft er contacting the Wausau for indoor soccer besides problem every year and more or two, bringing families from Parks Dept and Wausau PD nu- gyms which isn’t the same. needs to be done to keep them other areas to the Wausau area to merous times, few if any, parking ◊ Hockey and Lacrosse-two of from taking over. eat, shop and stay. citations are written. On summer the fasting growing sports are ◊ It would be nice to see if the ◊ nights during baseball season it is under emphasized and need new area could support a facility like ◊ Th e second area that could use common to have no available trail- facilities! the new community center in improvement is outdoor activities er parking stalls at a couple land- ◊ We need more pickle ball courts Marinette, WI to replace the ice for the pre-teen/teenage age group, ings due to the additional vehicles -- it is the fastest growing sport in facilities at Marathon Park. such as rock climbing opportu- attending the games. Th ese vehicles the country. Great exercise for all ◊ I think users fees should be nities, or a ropes course, a larger are not paying a daily use fee and ages. Way too much obesity in the charged for the horseback riders waterpark, mini-golf, etc. It would the boaters have to sometimes park country. for maintenance of the trails. be nice for the kids who don’t need a long distance away and still are ◊ I think the marathon skating Electricity at the BEP should be direct supervision anymore to charged a launch fee. facilities could use some major updated as well as trail signage. have a safe and fun spot to meet ◊ Also, please put a street light up updating ◊ Indoor soccer facility would help up with friends and enjoy outdoor near the boat launch at Memorial ◊ Year round ice arena is needed preserve fi elds and give the teams a activities. Park. Trying to launch or land a in Wausau place to practice. ◊ Lastly, I would love to see boat there aft er dark is diffi cult ◊ Mararthon County Parks, Rec- ◊ Please plan/approve an indoor additional bathrooms (at the north with no lighting or painted lines reation, and Forestry has always soccer facility end of the park) and parking at the for guidance. Th is again only done a great job. ◊ love marathon county parks Eastbay Sports Complex. Another aff ects the paying boaters. ◊ Please add more outdoor system. would like to volunteer to play area or obstacle course, even ◊ Feel Marathon Park would be an skating. Our family was super help with maintenance if it’s small, at the north end of the excellent park for Christmas lights disappointed that the Th om fi eld ◊ An indoor facility with a turf complex would be nice as well. As ◊ Survey covers the important rink wasn’t put in this year! surface would be an excellent a parent with small children, it suggestions. ◊ Find away to get some more addition to the Wausau area, and would be nice to be able to watch ◊ Really, really need more pickle money to come into the state, to likely a space that would be utilized my older child’s soccer game while ball courts. improve on the parks and the facil- oft en. keeping an eye on the younger ◊ Return ice rink to review, it’s ities we have already. Getting them ◊ Please help to continue to grow kids at the playground, which isn’t a disgrace that it left , there were up to date so the all people and and encourage the MC Sports - realistic from the north side of people there ALL the time in families can enjoy them. So that Baseball, Basketball, Football and the complex based on where the weekends, kids, moms, families, families know that their children especially Soccer. Th e Eastbay current play area is! teenagers, hockey, fi gure, pleasure are safe when using the equipment. Fields are well known and respect- ◊ Indoor soccer facility skating, it was “Norman Rockwel- Get bathrooms up to date so they ed around the state for the playing ◊ winter is long in Wausau. we lian” unlike what the was buildings are not so gross surfaces and overall facilities. need a large indoor clear span an grounds guy said, just a shame ◊ We do not want to pay more in ◊ Th ank you for keeping lands facility for sports like soccer,tennis, low down n dirty, how long will the taxes for any expansions accessible for the public to enjoy la crosse, football, climbing wall, bike polo fad last? And they have ◊ Snow-making at Nine Mile shorelands and landscape views. golf driving range. the building hockey boards????!!!! Wtf, a lso would be benefi cial for reliable We like to keep land natural for should include a second story bar lacrosse is one word it’s not like the snow throughout the winter. wildlife and native plants also. and restaurant for the parents to Wisconsin city. ◊ Continue to improve signage ◊ Could use an indoor sports view the sports while the children ◊ More Pickleball Courts. 3 courts and gateways to facilities facility for soccer as the weather play below. for 50 players doesn’t ◊ We need access to ice year oft en does not cooperate in the ◊ Due to Wisconsin weather, it ◊ work very well, standing and round. Th e fact that our hockey early spring and later fall. Hard would be very benefi cial to have an waiting isn’t much fun. players in wausau have to travel to to scramble and hold practices indoor sports complex for spring ◊ Th anks to the Park’s Department other rinks to play spring and sum- last minute- hard to fi nd gym soccer and baseball games/practic- off ering a lot of ‘invisible’ support mer hockey is embarrassing and space/time. East bay closes early es. A larger venue for festivals and which contributes so much to qual- puts our players at a disadvantage. and opens late with regards to concerts would be nice. (400 Block ity of life in wider Wausau area. ◊ Wausau really needs indoor soccer season. But it is a beautiful is great too) ◊ I am a pickball player, so I use fi elds for soccer and lacrosse. We complex! ◊ We really need an indoor com- the Marathon Park courts pretty are at a competitive disadvantage ◊ • Maintain Mountain Bay plex for a growing soccer popula- much every day when weather from a youth sports perspective. Trail tion. My son had to skip from gym permits. Teams will pay for rental and there ◊ • Get a big dog park in the to gym all winter and playing on ◊ Pickleball is the fastest growing is signifi cant revenue opportuni- Wausau area with plenty of space gym fl oors is not ideal. If we want sport in the US. We are missing out ties with winter tournaments and and trails, tree covered. Th e one in to complete at the highest level on drawing commerce to Wausau leagues. Rib Mountain is too tiny and the with team say from Iowa that are due to lack of facility development. ◊ One area of safety concern one in Weston is just ugly, but big outside 5 weeks before us we really We are woefully behind other for the sport of ice hockey is the enough. need to invest in a winter indoor communities of similar size. current status of the hockey board ◊ • Th e biggest need for the venue. ◊ We desperately need indoor soc- and glass at Marathon Park. It is Wausau area at this time is a large ◊ I think the park/rec/forestry cer space. Right now, soccer fam- my understanding that these are indoor athletic facility with turf department is doing a great job ilies travel outside of our region 40+ years old and it is time for an that could be used for multiple by involving the community in to play soccer during winter. Lots upgrade. Th e current technology in sports. I know our soccer club decision making. Th e budget Appendix A | Survey & PIM Summary A-19 needs to be increased so more can Bender. It could also be called ◊ Indoor swimming and recre- ◊ Th e mountain bikes trails are be done for maintenance, upgrades Cedar Creek Park. ation is required. awesome, should make more. More and acquiring more land for people ◊ 3. Consider cooperating with ◊ More changing rooms and hiking trails as well to enjoy. Everest School District to have cleaner restrooms please. ◊ More pickleball courts needed ◊ I would think that more im- their Kronenwetter school forest ◊ Love our parks and enjoy them ◊ Th e more we invest in out- provements to the ice rink would building open to the public on at all year round. Well maintained door space where families and be in the future. Th e rink is old, least Saturdays from April through and safety all around. individuals can get out and enjoy needs more space. We have a re August. And I mean open like the ◊ Would like there to be more themselves the stronger and more great program here but or facility Mead Wildlife Visitor’s Center is bathrooms. attractive the community becomes. does not show. You have done great open, with an interpreter staffi ng ◊ clean showers at campgrounds ◊ I think there are plenty of with the soccer fi elds and more im- the building, and maybe regularly big eau plaine opportunities for Parks & Forestry provements and add on’s are great. scheduled walks or talks during ◊ Improve boat launch esp BEP recreation in Marathon County. ◊ Fat biking at 9mile would cer- that day. ◊ Paved hiking trails Opportunities have come a long tainty be a plus! ◊ 4. We need to buy all the ◊ Perhaps give equestrian’s options way over the past 10 years and not ◊ remove geese from all parks former railroad right-of-way for a to circle around in a park by con- many new programs are needed to ◊ Excellent work on mountain shared use trail between Wausau necting trails instead on riding up accommodate our community. Just biking trails in past 3 years. Would and Marshfi eld, and traveling and back on the same trail. Like at promote the programs currently like to continue to move towards through Marathon City, Edgar, Eau Plene. Do the same at Leather- in place not all of the community IMBA ride center. Ski trail groom- and Stratford. Th e shared uses camp and Kronnenwetter. may be aware of the programs that ing improved at 9 Mile the past few should include walking, bicycling, ◊ Marathon park needs to be po- currently exist years. and snowmobiling, but could also liced more as it seems to be a hang ◊ Re-iterating the need for an ◊ My main concern is the water probably accommodate ATVs out for drug users. updated space for skateboarding. quality (UTVs may be too wide.). Once ◊ Th e county needs to take a Merrill is making a big push to ◊ Th e community has a signifi cant we have this as a trail, then it more active role in promoting, build quality park that will be need for an indoor sports facility. should become a state trail. expanding, and maintaining what attracting many people to their And more fi elds at Eastbay. We ◊ expand the Corbin range to the systems it does have. As a town. I feel like Wausau is being are very lucky to have such a great 1000 yds, and extending 300 yd mountain biker Nine Mile, and left behind. All the additions to parks system. range to 400 Sylvan are prime examples of sites mountain biking in the area have ◊ We need to take advantage of ◊ I’ve hosted law Enforcement that get to maintenance and very been amazing, please continue on all the waterways we have in the training w attendees from around little (to none) active promotion. that path. Roads are in need of county. More trails along the water, the State of WI. Everyone loves Granite Peak is also largely a wast- safety updates for bikes. similar to the Dells of the Eau shooting here. Th e Trap Range has ed resource in the warm months. ◊ Fat bike trails at Nine Mile need Claire. Also, more readily available to be closed to conduct shoots or Very much in stark contrast to how to happen. It can and will work lists of safe, family friendly kayak- training on the 600 yd range. I feel other counties and states manage with XC skiers and snowshoers. ing stretches on those rivers along the trap range should be relocated their resources. Look at other organizations that with more access to those spots to avoid confl icts w the 600 yd ◊ Possibly keep adding to and con- allow both to work together such would help. range. It would be a win win for necting blacktop, non-motorized as the Noquemenon Trail networks ◊ 1. I don’t hunt, but many Trap shooters & 600 yd range use trail systems in and around the Marquette,MI. people do, and I want to continue ◊ water levels and alge in Big Eau Wausau area. It’s wonderful when ◊ Furthermore, there was no supporting them. We need more Pleine you can access many areas with skiable snow at Nine Mile until late public hunting land, and I’d suggest ◊ Snow making at 9-Mile would these trails without using streets January. Plenty of great biking to expanding mainly the Kronenwet- lengthen the cross country ski sea- and roads. be had if it weren’t for the risk of a ter Forest Unit, along with all other son and bring in users and revenue ◊ Th ank you for take the public huge fi ne. forest units that the County Board from outside Marathon county. opinion into consideration while ◊ More gravity mountain bike Committee that oversees parks and ◊ Handicap water access moving forward with the choices. trails! forests would agree with. ◊ Need a better skills park area for ◊ Showers and or hand sanitizer ◊ Most of the parks I visit could ◊ 2. We need a large park within mountain biking, and improve the ◊ We are big snowmobile and use a bit of updating, recycle bins, the Wausau urban area. I came skatepark at oak island atv/sxs riders. Would like to see fresh paint. But in general I think from Milwaukee County, and ◊ See previous comments more roads and areas opened to the parks are awesome, and di- Dretzka Park is a large park that ◊ Pickleball is the most popular ride ATVs and sxs’ in the summer. verse. Our parks dept does a good also has a golf course in it. I’m sport to impact the public in 20 Green valley needs to open don’t job keeping them from looking not saying we need another golf years. It keeps all populations more so we can connect to eau shabby. course that the County creates, healthy, active, and HAPPY. We Pleine township and west toward ◊ Th ere seemed to be a need for but this amount of land could be would love to have a Highway 29 auburndale. groomer maintenance/repair at used for golfi ng, baseball, soccer, Challenge pitting clubs from Eau ◊ Mountain bike trails other than Nine Mile County forest in the or whatever fi elds come into high Claire, Wausau, and Green Bay. nine mile. Too much time and later part of the ski season. Arti- demand. Th is Dretzka Park sized Alas, our outdoor facilities are eff ort is put into those trails and fi cial snow making may also help parcel exists in the Village of Kro- currently inadequate. they’re still pretty piss poor boring Wausau to become a cross-country nenwetter to the northeast of the ◊ I believe that building and main- trails. Places like sylvan draw more ski destination for people from out CTH X and CTH XX intersection. taining great parks will do more excitement and willingness to trav- of town. WRIG owns the land directly to for attracting people to them than el to from all over the state ◊ we think these programs are the east of the parcels I’m thinking spending money on programs to ◊ Th e creation of more bike trails outdated and are not relevant or of. We could call this Bender Park, try and bring them there. has been nice. I would like to see needed in in todays environment. because the people who own most ◊ More MTB trails on rib moun- more camping facilities especially ◊ Consider fl ush toilets/showers of this land have the last name of tain. near the bike trails at campgrounds. Build additional A-20 Marathon County | Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan campground/sites leaving foliage ◊ Fee for dumping waste at is not cilities. Marathon Park facilities are water and no shower facility how between site. Great parks already! acceptable at the Big Eau Pleine very nice but lack the court space sanitary is that. ◊ I live in the far SW part of park since there are no fl ush toilets for growth as they are at present. ◊ My biggest gripe is with the the County. Th eir is not much available & it is normally included ◊ Add more Pickleball courts bathrooms at Mission Lake park very close to us. I would like to with reg. at other parks. ◊ Please add more opportunities that I stated earlier. see more with McMillan Marsh, ◊ Sunnyvale soft ball complex to play hockey and lacrosse to ◊ Th e landings at Eau Pleine Park maybe easier Kayak access. Bike rental fee is craziness. make it more accessible to more are nice, but the park attendants trail is nice but not open aft er ◊ Big Eau Pleine needs showers people! Th ank you! I’ve encountered in the past have Sept. 1. I know that would have and fl ush toilets ◊ We need to update the local not been so friendly. Even when to be worked out with the DNR. ◊ Snow making for XC ski hockey facility. Adding the River- I’ve already paid and have a lading Th anks! ◊ Paved trail for dryland training wolves has placed a strain on the sticker or pass, they’ve given me ◊ Allow more access for bow and ◊ Do it arena. And, with empowerment of the third degree. Had one guy rifl e hunting to forest units. ◊ Garbage cans to collect the girls to hockey, there needs to be a practically chase me into the lake ◊ mile markers and signs. trash. place to skate. to ask if I had a pass, instead of ◊ ATV Trails ◊ Better, and more bathrooms. ◊ In addition, Pickleball has taken looking at the sticker on my trailer. ◊ Western side of Marathon coun- ◊ Add more Pickleball courts off , and is much more relevant ◊ Also, if you’re paying to camp ty gets little attention. ◊ Add shuffl eboard courts than tennis. Let’s get money and at Eau Pleine. Why doesn’t that ◊ NEW bike and walking trails ◊ Seriously need additional space allocated for it. include a pass to use the boat land- must be kept separate! even the pickleball courts for all age groups ◊ Hockey is such a big part of our ing? Just seems like an extra cash new trail by WOW is too narrow expanding interest in the game community, I feel that this area grab to me. I know a number of to accommodate more than one ◊ some attention to deer popula- needs to be addressed as we don’t people who have stopped camping family at a time. WOW must be tion control have enough room and ice time for there for this reason. held to the same standards as other ◊ A pickleball complex would be our youth. ◊ Disappointed in grooming at businesses and move their nasty an excellent draw for the Wausau ◊ Marathon Park should be Nine Mile dumpsters (WASTE on the WA- area. allowed to have camp fi res while ◊ Need more parks & camping TER?) to behind enclosures. Also ◊ Our county is lacking in outdoor camping! options the new parking spaces at WOW pickleball facilities. In comparison ◊ Pave Marathon Park parking lot ◊ Year round ice at marathon park along the new park equipment are to other counties we are lagging ◊ Baseball complex ◊ Don’t care just don’t take the way too narrow to park and allow way behind. We need about 9 ◊ I would love to see Wausau have rights of people away...meaning access to the car seats when trying outdoor courts at least to hold a new multi-fi eld baseball complex, don’t ban smoking from them don’t to get the children out tournaments that will draw others a BMX track, and especially a new ban dogs don’t ban alcohol ◊ Please do a better job during to come here. It is an amazing or improved Ice hockey arena. ◊ Year round indoor ice arena is a winter and post winter snow melt- sport for all ages. We have only ◊ Keep up the good work must! If marathon park does not ing phase in Marathon Park. three at Marathon Park that are in ◊ Integrate Fat Tire biking at 9 improve you will continue to loose ◊ Strongly encourage the addition good shape. Lots of waiting to play mile. Too much area to not take out on money and people. of Pickleball courts. It’s the fastest on them. advantage. County is losing out ◊ Year round ice arena! growing sport in the country. Sev- ◊ Concerts on the 400 block are on $$. ◊ Great spaces, well cared for, eral areas around us (eagle river, nice but could be rotated to other ◊ Lack of swimming area on river. good staff . Keep up the good three lakes, sayner) have provided parks Lake Wausau needs nicer beach or work! very nice facilities. ◊ Ice Rink and facility is quite swim areas. Bluegill Park perfect ◊ I left spending recommenda- ◊ Having better parking would frankly embarrassing. I have a for this. tions blank, as I do not know what make areas more accessible, photo of a home tournament of ◊ Walking and bike trail systems is currently allocated where, but we especially plowing parking areas over 45 people sitting on the fl oor rather than county highways. LOVE the trails through wooded in winter. It’s so hard to get out for of the “lobby” with lunch pur- ◊ Acquire land and green space. areas and along rivers. Our favorite winter activities with no where to chased elsewhere. No tables, no Expand 9 mile spots are ones where regulations park. chairs and the fl oor is dirty always. ◊ I’d like to see the county accept regarding usage are relaxed and ◊ Th e county really needs to spend Not to mention the leaking roof. I the old railroad bridge west of we can fi sh/walk/let the dog run/ more on our facilities. We are realize the rink is indeed a ice rink Sunnyvale and make a connection swim, etc. falling behind. but rink one is ridiculously cold. from Sunnyvale to County NN as ◊ Power and lights in the re- ◊ Would be really great if there Rink two heats nicely but the cage a paved bike and hiking trail. Th is strooms was camping at those of the Eau or fencing doesn’t allow fans to see would provide a good route to bike ◊ Th ere is a very rude male worker Claire away from the county road the whole game. What wouldn’t I to the village of marathon at the Big Eau Pleine on weekends. that is a major detractor And I change about this facility would ◊ I think there should be running I believe he said he was a manager. probably would not camp there be the question to assure a much water at facilities that have camp- Not a people person at all. again although we love that park shorter answer. grounds. ◊ Th anks for ALL you do to pro- ◊ We should have areas for people ◊ At some point we need to have ◊ garbage cans vide Marathon County residents to do low impact sports and rec- a pickleball facility to provide for ◊ ranger at big eau plaine has and visitors with FREE and low- reation. Th ere is too much money the growing number of players and made our experience (7 camper cost recreation opportunities to spent on maintaining specifi c sport to host tournaments and social units) so bad we not be returning get out and get active. It’s our own facilities and most people cannot play, other cities in Wisconsin for our annual week long camp- fault if we don’t make time to take aff ord to do those sports. (Hock- have done great things in this area ing trip that we have done for the advantage of all you off er us. ey, fi gure skating, cross country and though the Wausau pickleball last 10 years, we are done with ◊ Firewood more accessible. skiing). We should support life association was one of the leaders him, you wont replace him so we ◊ It would be greatly appreciate long sports with low impact to the in the state fi ve years ago, we have replaced you, really a campsite in if shower and fl ush toilets were environment taken a back seat due to lack of fa- this day and age with no running installed. I bet they would pay for Appendix A | Survey & PIM Summary A-21 themselves very quickly. to make the roads more bike and frequent Veterans Memorial Park ◊ improve their reservation ◊ Many of the above mentioned pedestrian friendly. It ia import- - Jack Lake. Great county park. policy programs sound fun and enter- ant for my family to be active and Wish there was something similar ◊ With the climate changing, taining, and I may attend one if these resources aff ord us a better in Marathon county adding snow making to 9-mile off ered, but they are not “needed.” chance to attune to that. Th ank ◊ Add 30amp electric to all camp- makes sense. Th is could be a des- ◊ Pave our bike trails. We would you for allowing a space to add ing sites. tination for skiers for early season use them more instead of going suggestions! ◊ showers at the Eau Pleine ◊ As a previous resident of Mar- elsewhere. AND, hook them up ◊ Dump station fees should be campground would be wound- athon County, we now visit for to other trails included in the campsite rental. erful approximately 3 weeks per year & ◊ Snow making equipment at Th is is how all other county ◊ Big eau pleine is beautiful. camp at Marathon County Park. Nine Mile. campgrounds are setup. Would like to see group camp- We love the accessibility to all that ◊ Make Wausau a mountain bike ◊ I’ve always wished for an ing for large campers like 5th we want to do & people to see. destination location by connect- expansion to the Nine Mile chalet wheels. Showers facilities would Th at being said, the restrooms in ing more recreational areas the and for that it to be open year- be nice too. Holding tanks could the campground are atrocious. county has unique geology to round. An opportunity for an be installed to accommodate the I think Marathon County has attract users. Make Wausau a indoor break during MTB would showers. a gold mine in that particular paddling destination with water be appreciated, especially for the ◊ More modern campground, & if updated, could trails on the Wisconsin, Rib River youth MTB group and race team ◊ Cleaner restrooms only approve its quality. Eau Pleine and Eau Claire rivers. practices. Th ere are still needs ◊ Nine Mile Forest needs to be ◊ Pools are awesome...staff could Connect municipalities with for meeting as a group, normal marketed more. It could become use better supervision. trails and create longer connected bathroom, changing clothes, a larger drawing card for our ◊ I feel that the cost of camping routes. Add facilities to underuti- refi lling water, cooling down and community. Th e new signage on should also include the cost of the lized forest units. Add more an escape from the heat. Lack South Mountain Road is helpful, dump sites. Most campgrounds Nordic skiing locations. of chalet personally shortens our and having a specifi c person over- if you camp at their facility for ◊ I dont understand why Moun- visit to Nine Mile during the “off ” seeing the cross country skiing $21 a night you don’t pay extra tain bikers need to pay a trail months. aspects is also very important. for dumping. I feel that Marathon fee. Local Mountain bike club ◊ Would love to see more of a ◊ Have workers who groom xc county parks are a little unfair in maintains all of the trails and the paved trail for XC ski training trails to learn how to ski so they that aspect building isnt open/staff ed at all in during “off ” months. My child’s can groom educated, or hire skiers ◊ I would like to see the devel- summer. If mountain bikers pay a ski team practices on streets in to groom. opment of linear trails to take trail fee, shouldn’t hikers, hunters, Rib Mountain in the dark, and it’s ◊ Increased opportunities for advantage of our scenic river and horse riders, etc pay a trail fee as a HUGE safety issue. more use of Nine Mile biking systems already in place. well? Also I don’t see the need ◊ Grooming nine mike for xc ◊ less hunting Pickleball courts are also at a to close the trails during hunting skiing ◊ Would be nice if the bathrooms premium season. No other surrounding ◊ Clean cob webs from shelter could be updated, in the middle ◊ None at this point. counties close trails during Hunt- fl ush toilets of a hot summer the pit toilets get ◊ Help the Ice Age Trail Alliance ing season. I love to hunt, but ◊ Lighting in camp ground really nasty stinky to acquire land to complete the isn’t it supposed to be multi-use? toilets. ◊ We like using the county parks trail. I also think fat biking should be ◊ As I said previously showers for camping - cause they are ◊ Would be nice to have more allowed on the singletrack at 9 would be nice at Big Eau Pleine wooded and you are not on top of trails in Forestry units. mile during winter (Multi-use). county park each other...Some upgrades would ◊ We love the parks around town Works great at other locations ◊ Add showers to Big Eau Pleine make it great. especially the Airport Park. We example-WinMan trails up in ◊ NA ◊ I would appreciate having more would love to see a splash pad in Winchester, WI. Th anks! ◊ Would be great to have (1) lighted trails at 9 mile. the Weston area so we don’t have ◊ It would be meaningful for paved trails for roller skiing and ◊ Clean up what you have. to go all the way to Marathon myself and my family if more time (2) snow making at Nine Mile ◊ Th ank you to all the park em- Park. were put into grooming Nine Mile ◊ Water & dumping at Dells of ployees who work so hard!!! ◊ I truly believe that a city and Ski Trails. Th e current groom- Eau Claire ◊ Would like to see improve- county are only as desirable er is ok but not attentive nore ◊ Some of these facilities I was ments at County Camp grounds as their amenities. Th e city of grooming all of the trails regularly not aware of until this survey. in regards to electricity and Wausau has done a good job when the snow conditions allow. ◊ Add sewer hook ups to RV and amenities. Wood sales should be dedicating money to the improve- If possible we would appreciate trailer camping sites all day with an honor system like ment or parks and creation of new a groomer who would take their ◊ Big Eau bathrooms could be other surrounding counties. ones. I believe the county and time and groom all of the trails a bit more welcoming-come ◊ Would love to see more single other municipalities should follow (including the alps section of Nine mid-season they are pretty gross. track MTB areas, like maybe in suit and make their amenities Mile) when conditions allow. I ◊ We need multiple dog parks! Brokaw. desirable. appreciate what the county does ◊ We usually get a lake site, when ◊ Facilities are, overall, quite nice, ◊ Our neighborhood park Pleas- for the community and all of we camp at Eau Pleine. Th e rate however pit toilets seem to be antview park desperately needs the work that is put into making per night has raised from $17 to emptied with less frequency than updated equipment! everything run. Our family is very $20, & this year our site will be they had in the past. ◊ I would like to see indoor happy to have the bike path on $22 per night. I hope the rates ◊ Aside from that, more trails plumbing/showers at Dells of the county road R and appreciate the don’t raise again. Th ank you. would be a great asset to the coun- EC. Some shelters need a new continued push in the community ◊ Forgot to mention we also ty and to the region. roof.

A-22 Marathon County | Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan ◊ Paved road biking trails would area. be awesome. Th ey can be used all ◊ Live eau pleine park. Gem! year round whether it is biking/ ◊ Atv trails would be great running/walking as well as winter ◊ Spend more money cleaning sports for cross country skiing up the lakes and rivers around the and snowshoeing. We have the area. Also restock some of them as old railroad tracks that township’s they are too heavily fi shed just gave back to landowners for ◊ Improve your boat landings pennies. Buy them back and make ◊ Th ere is a tremoundous need for a safe place for people to enjoy the some sort of County facility in the outdoors and bring business to the southwestern part of the County.

Appendix A | Survey & PIM Summary A-23 Other Open-Ended ◊ water hookup for camping ◊ handicap playground ◊ Outdoor beer garden (with ◊ Big eau pleine beach water ◊ Ice arena parking food) like the Milwaukee Park Comments quality lot- blacktop system runs during the summer ◊ Mountain bike trails to utilize ◊ Indoor and outdoor Lacross ◊ Ice Age Trail improvements Q4 Which of the following granite peak complexes ◊ Wster quality amenities would you like ◊ work with the State on ◊ Swimming Beach ◊ Better bike trails in city to be added, improved, or expanded either by public, allowing snowmobiles the use ◊ indoor play structures for ◊ Playgrounds/green space non-proﬁ t or private entities of walking paths during winter children ages 1-10 in neighborhoods that aren’t within the County? months ◊ Indoor Soccer facility within walking distance of one ◊ Shower facility at Big Eau ◊ Eliminate geese. They have ◊ Over all park maintenance; ◊ Paved shoulders for biking Pleine Park taken over a large number of snow removal, water control on and walking on busy county ◊ Paved bicycle trails and a trail our beautiful parks. Aggressive sidewalks/overall park, better roads system like the Green Circle trail behavior & grounds unwalkable quality sidewalks and dog feces ◊ Bike trails/shoulders on busy in Stevens Point due to mess. This is an awful removal. roads ◊ Off -highway Motorcycle trails problem. ◊ picnic areas ◊ Paved shoulders for biking or motorcycle access to ATV ◊ More ATV trails. ◊ Horse camping areas ◊ Paved shoulders on county trailers ◊ turf futsal courts ◊ Meditation/Yoga classes roads for bike routes ◊ SAFE bike paths - HWY U is ◊ Indoor complex, Indoor off ered over the lunch hour ◊ beach/swimming areas not safe for drivers nor bikers complex, Indoor complex :-) ◊ Replacing the sand on the ◊ Marathon park could really - too busy and too many hills ◊ New Hockey Arena playground with something use a 3rd rink would be nice to (blindspots). ◊ Water quality of the Big Eau like soft tiles or fl ooring that’s have ice available year round!! ◊ dog sledding trail, Large Pleine usually made out of recycled ◊ water and electric on sites. multiprupise building for ◊ rollerskating/rollerblading rubber. ◊ Restrooms open during all indoor sports such a dog shows, ◊ Duane Corbin Range ◊ Skatepark season; bike trails suitable for horse show, etc., trails set up ◊ Duane Corbin Shooting ◊ snowmaking for xc ski senior riders and families, not for visually impaired hiking/ Range Park. Extend the 600 ◊ paved parking lot at technical single track but in snowshoeing , smaaler size yd range to 1000 yd. Move the marathon park ice arena wooded areas; especially at multi purpose building for dog trap shooting area so as not to ◊ replace the unused tenins base of rib Mountain; a trail to training,etc. confl ict with the current 600 yd courts with pickleball courts Merrill and Marathon along ◊ Native vegetation with range & future 1000 yd range. ◊ Paved parking lots and roads the Wisconsin and Rib Rivers; I signage, pollinator gardens, Lengthen the 300 yard range ◊ Snow bike trails at 9mile make many trips to the Boulder rain gardens, shoreland to 400 yds. I’ve hosted WDNR ◊ Fix eau pleine park road Junction area trails. Update restorations, signage for offi cials interested in expanding ◊ Blacktop around Marathon signage along the paved trail common invasive species like State ranges. I suggested they park hockey rinks at Cedar Creek; need culverts buckthorn and garlic mustard. follow the Marathon Co range w ◊ Additional boat launch and under fl ooded areas on Eau Educational signage for not pits concept due to is effi ciency parking Bluegill Park Pleine trail and separate horse only plants, but for animals as & safety ◊ Chirstmas lights trails since bike hike trails suff er well or geographical features ◊ Public beach/swimming area ◊ Less ATV usage in Forest Units much damage from horses on to give people to ability to ◊ Maintence needs 50% ◊ More geocaches wet trails. Keep some restrooms better appreciate our natural improvement ◊ Year round ice at marathon open in winter. Thank you!!! resources. ◊ Fishing area/spots park ice rink ◊ Safer commuter routes ◊ Off road motorcycle trails, ◊ swimming beaches ◊ Have Park access all year ◊ Kayak/canoe launches ◊ I would realy like to see ◊ Better access to public around ◊ Outdoor tai chi for seniors, 3 Handicap Hunting season in the hunting land perhaps limited ◊ off er group fi tness classes, times/week Big Eau Pleine Park at use. As we get older many add more garbage cans & ◊ vending at more sites so ◊ In general, make retro-fi t the places we used to hunt are not ashtrays so people can dispose seniors can rest and watch community to make it more accessible. Also consider we are of their dog waste and garbage pickleball, tennis, etc. easier. walk, bike & running friendly. losing paper land. rather than leave it on the ◊ Would love a place at dells Connect sidewalks, make sure ◊ skateboard facilities ground of Eau Claire to either tube or traffi c lights have walk signals, ◊ Extra emphasis on the ◊ Allow skijoring at 9 Mile. The kayak to the beach and open public bathrooms in a skatepark, Oak Island is in need oval set in the snowmobile ◊ Snow for ski trails timely manner. of an update. parking lot this season is ample ◊ Snowmaking is needed on 9 ◊ more lighted ski trails ◊ E-bike accessible trails and quick to groom. Perfect! Mile Cross Country Ski Trails ◊ Bike parks (urban) ◊ More and Better Grouse/ ◊ Year round ice arena, we are ◊ no other ◊ Roller skating (inline & quad) Woodcock Hunting Areas failing youth hockey in our area ◊ Need motion sensor lights facilities (indoor and year round) ◊ Improved boat docks and big time. that go on when entering the ◊ Indoor pickleball courts parking esp at Big Eau Pleine ◊ Running trails bathrooms. Scary at night using ◊ Additional indoor complex Park. And showers. That is all ◊ Shovelboard a fl ashlite. It’s very dark in the could provide for MANY needs, time favorite county park ◊ Snowmaking capabilities at restroom at night and personal all year round ◊ Oak Island has a great skate Nine Mile County Park safety is stressful for me. I worry ◊ Indoor soccer complex is park. but it could use a clean ◊ We would really like a dump that someone could be hiding badly needed up! Also a sign that stated if you station and a place to get water. in the bathroom upon entering ◊ Bicycle paths aren’t skating keep off The sites are beautiful and the dark restrooms.

A-24 Marathon County | Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan spacious. Q9 Do you or members of ◊ Marinette County, Green park and the crystal lake/trout ◊ Flush toilets showers your household commony Bay, Upper Peninsula for trails, lake paved bike trail ◊ snow making at Nine Mile (average of 4 times per wildlife, etc. ◊ Langlade County- Veterans ◊ RV type camping sites with year) drive somewhere ◊ Underdown, Levis mounds, Memorial Park outside of Marathon County sewer hook ups to use the same speciﬁ c standing rocks, Winman, Copper ◊ We don’t live in Marathon ◊ wifi access in campgrounds park, recreational facility or Harbor/Marquette MI County, so we go to many State ◊ Snow making capability at 9 program? ◊ Eagan, MN parks and trails Parks. mile ski trails ◊ Paved bike trails in Vilas ◊ Merrick State Park - Camping ◊ 30amp electric at all ◊ Nose lake trail. Birkie trail, abr, County, WDNR boat and kayak ◊ Dubay county campground campsites bikr trails in point, iola country launches in Vilas County. ◊ Peninsula state park, camping ◊ Showers at big eau pleine ski washburne sk trail ◊ Council grounds Merrill ◊ Lake Dexter ◊ Beach ◊ Veterans Memorial Park (Jack as well as too many to list in ◊ Door county ◊ More on road biking lanes, Lake) Oneida county. ◊ In the U.P. with my daughter’s man made snow for cross ◊ Green Circle Trail, Bearskin ◊ Solberg county park,camping family. country skiing Trail. Hiking and biking. and picnics .Lake Emily county ◊ Portage County Parks ◊ Clean bathrooms ◊ Hickory ridge trails to park fdr camping and walks. ◊ Camping, kayaking, ◊ I would like the reservations mountain bike ◊ Council Grounds SP & other swimming, hiking, biking standard to be assessed. Many ◊ Winter Park-skate skiing state parks ◊ Kettle Moraine skiing and weekends I’m told there isn’t ◊ Boulder junction paved bike ◊ Cycling, hiking and XX skiing swimming any available sites, but, when I trails. trails, various locations ◊ “Camping drive through there are several ◊ I meet a friend half way ◊ “State and County ◊ Lake Dubay county park- unoccupied sites. between here and Madison parks,camping. camping and boating ◊ Showers are very important to hike, run, and snowshoe. ◊ camping or fi shing ◊ Camping in other counties to our family. We meet near Wautoma - WI ◊ A lot of parks in the state ◊ Several campgrounds along ◊ Clean what you have now Dells. Example: Roche Cri, Red . ....we like Geocaching and Oconto county ATV trail system. ◊ Snow making at 9-mile Granite, etc. many, many geocaches are in ◊ lynn anns camground, big ◊ Flush toilets ◊ State and County Parks in local, county, state and Federal st. germain WI, biking boating, ◊ Eau Plaine county park needs Door County for hiking Parks and also on state and paddle boarding, camping. Big updated electric on West side ◊ county campgrounds county trails . West Bend has arbor vitae campground, Arbor ◊ benches ◊ “Boulder Junction area, a weekend Mega Event in vitae, wi boating, biking, paddle ◊ More handicap accessible camping, swimming and fi shing. August in their town park boarding, camping 50 miles of areas ◊ Wolf River area Nicolet and surrounding parks and paved bike trails ◊ Beer Garden National forest, camping, recreational areas in the area. ◊ Wood County camp grounds. ◊ Road biking trails swimming and fi shing. ◊ Lake Emily, or Jordan ◊ All over the state for camping ◊ Road biking paved trails ◊ Three Lakes area camping, ◊ Vilas county for biking ◊ camping ◊ Outdoor Pool for Adults (21+ swimming and fi shing.” kayaking and camping. Prairie ◊ “Veterans Memorial Park. with a bar) ◊ Standing Rocks, Portage Co. Dells mountain biking. They raised the prices so much ◊ Jeep trails Parks. Washburn Lake, Oneida ◊ Camping fi shing a family can no longer aff ord to ◊ Indoor winter playground Co. Parks ◊ “Marion Lake National Park, go there more than a couple of ◊ “All over for hockey, outdoor Watersmeet Mich. days. They have a lot of good Q6 If you indicated you water parks, ◊ Lake of the Falls. Mercer, Wi things in the park. dump did NOT visit or use County ◊ “ ◊ Lake Wisota, Hartman Creek, station , water , showers and parks, forest units or trails in ◊ When children were younger Lake Emily. “ fl ush toilets but then the price Q5 please tell us why? -10 years ago, we did soccer out ◊ No time unfortunately ◊ Crystal Lake & bike trails- goes way up. After all you are ◊ Road bicycling is my sport of the county and went to fi elds Vilas County camping and don’t need all this. and go and return to my house. in other counties. ◊ Camba mountain bike trails; ◊ We like to try all ◊ Need more areas and ◊ other counties camping and Birkie ski trail; WinMan; Levis. campgrounds door County activities for older adults atv facilities. ◊ Total lack of good camp ◊ Waupaca county Shawano mountain all over grounds ◊ Green Circle biking, ◊ Mountain biking, cross ◊ Camping at DuBay or ◊ Personal schedule to busy Bouler Junction biking, country skiing, hiking, kayaking Northern Highland American ◊ I prefer to stay home and Levi’s Mound hiking, IAT ◊ state parks for camping State Forest enjoy my yard segments everywhere hiking ◊ Wood County ◊ Camping Lake DuBay ◊ No time snowshoeing, BWCAW, Porkies ◊ Ice Age Trail Hiker ◊ Langlade county camping ◊ Camping in surrounding ◊ No camping sites hiking/snow shoeing ski, atving Clark county camping counties ◊ Unsure on what’s exactly WinMan trails, SHT hiking, atving Wood county camping ◊ Minocqua to camp hike and available in the town and I canoeing out of the county, Oneida County camping atving visit the wild life park moved here a year ago Sylvania Wilderness hiking Lincoln county camping atving ◊ Bond Falls in the UP. Devil’s ◊ No time canoeing, Gartzke snowhoeing. ◊ new to area ◊ State camp grounds Lake State, Pewit’s Nest, Willow ◊ I never thought about visiting ◊ “Schmeekle -- Stevens Point ◊ Cross-Country Ski Trails with River, etc them. We usually go to our local (Portage Co) man-made snow on them ◊ Mayfl ower lake rv park. park. ◊ Council Grounds -- Merrill - Lapham Peak Unit Kettle Birnamwood (Lincoln)” Moraine State Forest ◊ Camping all over the midwest ◊ Mead wildlife center ◊ Door county peninsula state ◊ “WI River, camping, fi shing,

Appendix A | Survey & PIM Summary A-25 boating, tubing. park. Skateboarding is such especially the classic only trails Lake Minocqua for watersports ◊ Other County Parks for the an amazing, positive sport for in the Rhinelander area ◊ Gleason, Long Lake area, Ice above reasons” people to get in, kids especially, ◊ The paved bike trails in the Age Trail ◊ We are avid pickleball it’s disappointing that Marathon Boulder Junction area. ◊ Pickleball- Eau Claire, Green players and have travelled County completely disregards ◊ Several state parks, Levi’s Bay, Oshkosh, Rhinelander to communities both north this. I know so many kids, now mounds, mountain bike trails ◊ Grouse hunting north and south of Wausau to use adults, who would not have had and camping ◊ We travel out of Marathon their courts. Also, when a safe, encouraging group of ◊ Shawano county park County frequently for disc grandchildren visit we go to friends without the community -- swimming golf. We go to Standing Rocks play areas at parks that off er and comradery skateboarding ◊ “Just A Game Fieldhouse and Yulga near Stevens Point, things for them. off ers. Please fi x Oak Island up (Wisconsin Dells) - basketball Wilderness near Montello, and ◊ I cross country ski outside of or build a new, safe skatepark! ◊ Lighted Baseball Fields several other courses in the the county frequently. It would Oak Island is in such bad shape (Plover, Marshfi eld, Pulaski) Madison area. be nice to have some more trails it’s dangerous! - baseball” ◊ Harrison Hills ATV trail. at county units, they don’t need ◊ Bay Beach in Green Bay. ◊ Prairie Dell’s/ Underdown ◊ County parks in Marinette, to be the level of nine-mile, just Amusement Rides ◊ Ice Age Trail hiking & Shawano, and many other have the trail groomed for both ◊ Horse trails outside Marathon snowshoeing, kayaking counties. also, several State types of skiing a few times each County ◊ Various mountain bike trails parks all over the state monthly year so we don’t have to break ◊ Between the spring and or bike parks: Levis Mounds, sometimes weekly trail every time. summer months my family WinMan Trails, CAMBA Trails, ◊ Hockey Program...area rinks ◊ Bicycle trails in the Northern and I travel to outside counties ◊ Clark, Chippewa and Eau ◊ Na Highland American Legion State as far as Eagle River, WI to use Claire counties mostly for ◊ “Hockey rinks and soccer Forest, Portage County, and indoor hockey arenas. We spend mountain bikes and UTVs complexes. Our hockey rink is other counties. Cross country a ton of money to do this and ◊ Bay Beach amusement park one of the most dated in the ski areas in other counties with what love to stay in our own ◊ “Winn-Man Mtn bike trails state. Marathon county needs snow. Kayaking on lakes in community and have other and Copper Harbor Mtn bike an indoor soccer facility with Northern WI. counties visit us and make us trails turf. ◊ Nicolet National Forest, money. ◊ tomahawk- pickleball ◊ I have had 5 kids in soccer hiking, camping ◊ Hartman Creek State Park for ◊ All over Wisconsin to visit and hockey from youth to ◊ Off Highway motorcycle camping, hiking, and kayaking parks with biking and hiking college. The east bay complex trails (for a dual sport street on the chain-of-lakes. Devils trails; especially those with is awesome. Greenheck has an legal/emissions compliant Lake State Park for hiking. developed facilities (chalets excellent rink. Marathon county motorcycle. ....Marathon County ◊ Hiking, cc skiing, trails with bathrooms, water, bike is poor compared to almost all should at least allow those ◊ We are a hockey family, wash, etc) I have been to over the past 25 types of motorcycles on ATV and routinely go to other ◊ Levis Mounds Trail, CAMBA years. “ trails.. ...they don’t cause any communities to play hockey at trail system in Hayward/Cable ◊ Up north more noise or erosion than ATVs their rink. ◊ I go to Portage and Wood ◊ Indoor Ice Hockey ◊ Underdown - mountain ◊ Stevens Point Green Circle Counties to roller skate (practice ◊ Hockey rinks biking and Skatepark and play roller derby) and disc ◊ “Underdown- ski -hike pick ◊ LaCrosse fi eld ◊ Rhinelander golf. berries -bike- hunt ◊ Lake DuBay ◊ Merrill-council grounds for ◊ when traveling ◊ Newwood -hike - hunt - pick ◊ Rapids-Point swimming and hiking ◊ North highland american berries -bike ◊ “Cultural activities the Hmong ◊ Hike the Ice Age Trail legion State park ◊ 3 Eagle - ski hike -bike holiday. ◊ Otter Lake, Stanley, WI. ◊ We camp at state parks, in ◊ Big Lake state forest, camp, ◊ To see grandchildren play Camping, boating, swimming, particular Northern-Highland swim, bike on paved trails soccer or hockey inside.” fi shing, canoe, kayak & paddle American Legion State Park at ◊ Washburn Lake ski trails ◊ Mead Wildlife Area - Hunting boarding. Crystal Lake area. We like to Onieda co. and Meeting Facility. ◊ cross country skiing bike, hike, and swim in this area. ◊ Rib Lake area ski trails” ◊ Florida, pickle ball Minocqua Michigan ◊ “Boating in Minocqua. I am ◊ Tomahawk area - camping ◊ As the Oak Island skate park ◊ I drive out to Levis Mounds not a resident of Marathon ◊ Peninsula state park- biking is in horrible condition, we drive near Neillsville for the County. and hiking to literally any other one in the mountain-biking trails as often ◊ We never went to a park until ◊ Wisconsin River Road, HWY state and it’s guaranteed to be a as I get a day off in the Summer. we took up pickleball; we travel 35, along the Mississippi. Great ton better than our Wausau one. Nine Mile and Sylvan Hill in elsewhere to play scenery, possible sighting of What you’re doing for mountain Wausau are good biking but ◊ Piss off that’s my business barges, Lake Pepin, etc. biking trails is amazing (we they can’t hold a candle to Levis ◊ Eau Claire, Green Bay, ◊ Ice arenas in other counties love Sylvan Hill!), but you’re Mounds. Oshkosh and West Bend/ All ◊ Northern Highlands completely disregarding the ◊ Hurley, Mercer, boulder Pickleball. ◊ Soccer complexes for skate park. We are lucky to junction. Camping bike riding ◊ “Waupaca Mountain Bike children’s soccer games have Central Board Shop right kayaking utv trails Trails ◊ We travel to go to other ice on the 400 block, but it’s a bit ◊ Hiking ◊ Boulder Junction Area paved arenas after the MP ice arenas embarrassing to then have Oak ◊ Go to various locations North trails are out Island as the only local skate for X-country ski trail options ◊ Lake Nokomis, Lake Dubay, ◊ Devil’s lake

A-26 Marathon County | Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan ◊ Memorial Park, Tomahawk ◊ Taylor and Lincoln county ◊ Portage County camp and fi sh. The cost to use summer concerts and ski shows forests: Hunting, kayaking, campgrounds. Northern WI bike these facilities is less expensive ◊ “Several hockey arenas biking trails. and allows for family bonding around the state ◊ Go to Shawano to go to their ◊ “Horse riding time in which camping should ◊ Several soccer fi elds around beach ◊ Hiking be about. God has given us the state ◊ Door County, Waupaca ◊ Camping “ natural resources and humans ◊ Several LAX fi elds around the ◊ Copper Falls ◊ For skateparks or hiking. have the strong responsibility state” ◊ Hockey Rinks Stevens point skatepark and to maintain a healthy ◊ Traveled Route 66 and Florida ◊ To camp in facilities that have the long walking trails there environment. More campsites ◊ Green Circle, Portage County electrical hooks available. Many are great. Our river are could with REASONABLE fees should ◊ Portage and Langlade time this is not on option in expand into a great path be available in Marathon Counties - Campgrounds since Marathon County Campgrounds throughout the rest of the County. they have reservable sites and ◊ Yes - due to the limited city and if it had a beautiful ◊ Portage County Parks with showers, better set-up than number of outdoor pickleball skatepark on it like stevens standing rocks, disc golf, cross Marathon County campgrounds courts in Marathon County, on point it would be a great country ski. ◊ Camp Bike Hike State Parks a weekly basis I have to travel addition. ◊ Mountain bike trails ◊ “Wittenberg indoor pool to Rhinelander, Eagle River, ◊ upland bird hunting ◊ Mountain biking ◊ “ Three Lakes, Green Bay, Madison ◊ Standing rocks county park, ◊ Many state park ◊ Wildwood (zoo) and Griese or Eau Claire to play. It is portage county campgrounds, Levi’s mounds, (soccer and trails) parks in unfortunately that I can’t call the ◊ Children’s museums Madison area single track trails Marshfi eld. Also, Hamus Wausau area my home “club”, ◊ “mountain biking and paved bike paths, jack lake and Weber parks for trails in but is a reality when you simply ◊ hiking” ◊ “Winman trails for Trail Marshfi eld. McMillan Marsh three courts or a 40’ X 50’ area to ◊ Lakewood Cross Country Ski running, mountain biking, trails. Boat launches in Stevens service such huge demand. Trails, Lakewood WI snowshoeing, cross-country Point and at Lake DuBay, also ◊ Portage County ◊ Camping recreation skiing Minocqua and Lake Winnebago. ◊ “WINMAN mountain bike and ◊ Levis Mound, by Neillsville, WI ◊ Copper harbor, mountain ◊ Scheels Park in Appleton ski trails are awesome for hiking and mountain biking. biking for Soccer Tournaments. The ◊ several other mountain bike ◊ Merrill under downs, ◊ Neilsville - mountain biking two indoor soccer facilities in and ski trails due to lack of Marquette MI, Rhinelander trails. ◊ Cable- cross country skiing “ Milwaukee/Waukesha. snow” Mountain biking trails. ◊ “Underdown Rec Area, ◊ Camping to Porcupine ◊ Various soccer facilities ◊ We take kayaks down the Lincoln County for MTB, Mountain area in the UP of ◊ Kayaking. Plover river in Portage County hiking, cross country skiing, Michigan, Bayfi eld and Madiline ◊ Stevens Point and Minocqua ◊ clean showers at snowshoeing and camping. Island. for their kayak launch points. campgrounds ◊ Veterans Memorial Park, ◊ Soccer ◊ “Shore fi shing off of a ◊ Green circle trail for hiking Langlade County for MTB and ◊ Marshfi eld wild wood zoo municipal pier in Minocqua on and biking. Iverson Park for cross country skiing. ◊ Bird watching in Merrill the island. kayaking. ◊ Rausch Preserve, Taylor Council Grounds, Tech School ◊ Biking in Vilas County on ◊ Have gone to the Underdown County for cross county skiing . in Rhinelander for talks on the paved bicycle trails out of and Wiouwash State Trail/ ◊ Many others...” canoeing, birding, hiking. Boulder Junction.” Mountain Bay Trail for horseback ◊ stevens point skateboard ◊ Door county ◊ Door county Washington riding. park, sturgeon bay skateboard ◊ Appleton and Milwaukee for Island school house beach ◊ “Standing Rocks, Plover, park indoor turf soccer games. Bailey harbor ridges mountain biking ◊ Winman bike trail, Paved Vilas ◊ Other county parks, soccer ◊ “Wolf River at Langlade WI for ◊ Underdown, Merrill, County bike trail. Green circle complex, indoor facilities, kayaking. Mountain biking trail in Stevens Point fi shing areas ◊ Keweenaw for camping, mtn ◊ Levis Mound, Neilsville, ◊ Usually biking trails such as ◊ Indoor soccer complexes biking & kayaking. mountain biking” the Boulder Junction area trails ◊ Milwaukee, Madison, ◊ Nicolet Forest for mtn biking.” ◊ Yes, bike, ski and hiking trails. or other state trails. Cross- Oshkosh, Appleton areas several ◊ glacier woods golf course ◊ I dont live in Marathon country ski trails in northern times per month to indoor ◊ Clear lake, copper falls County, so going there is for Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. soccer facilities. Both hard and ◊ Camping on lake chippewa vacation. Your parks are great ◊ Sawyer county forest and turf facilities. in hayward to go fi shing and and worth the drive up from Oneida county forest for ◊ Soccer tournament/games mountain biking Adams County. mountian biking and Xc skiing ◊ bird watching areas ◊ LAKE DUBAY ON THE ◊ Birkie Trail for Nordic walking/ ◊ Copper Falls ◊ Council Grounds. Camping PORTAGE COUNTY SIDE Nordic skiing; ABR in Ironwood ◊ Standing Rocks, Jack Lake, ◊ Milwaukee for indoor soccer ◊ Copper falls, clear lake, Norrie MI for Nordic skiing Hartmann Creek complex lake, ◊ Underdown. Washburn. Levis ◊ Stevens Point Skatepark, They ◊ Soccer tournaments ◊ I travel to Green Bay, Oshkosh, Mounds have a great skatepark right throughout the state Eau Claire, and Chippewa ◊ WinMann, Manitowish Waters. along their river and walking ◊ Turtle-Flambeau Flowage, Falls to compete in pickleball Bike trails in Boulder Junction path. Willow Flowage, Chippewa tournaments at outdoor courts. and Manitowish areas. ◊ Gravity mountain biking Flowage-camping, fi shing, ◊ Black river falls state forest - ◊ Willow Flowage, Wood Lake ◊ Wolf River, Waupaca Chain of boating group camp site and Camp 8 in Taylor County to Lakes

Appendix A | Survey & PIM Summary A-27 ◊ Mountain bike SWIMMING, FISHING, HIKING, ◊ ECDells and Rib Mtn systems. ATV usage. Mountain ◊ We frequently drive to HUNTING, BOATING, ETC ◊ Lakewood Cross Country Ski Biking and hiking. Camping Minocqua Winter Park for ◊ lake Emily county park Trails in Lakewood WI ◊ Lincoln country rifl e range better snow conditions for portage county ◊ Shawano County for ◊ All the way to mashfi eld to cross country skiing. We also ◊ We travel all winter to snowshoeing and camping. see the lights, why not have that frequent the outdoor skating warmer destinations and are Postage county parks for ere La crosse as lights also. rinks in other counties since the passionate about Pickleball. We camping. ◊ camping outdoor rink closer to our house always seek out communities ◊ Door county, fi shing and ◊ I frequently fi sh both up stopped receiving funding 2 to where pickleball is available seeing parks. north in Vilas / Onieda County 3 years ago. and have played at spectacular ◊ Pickleball in Oneida county areas and use their boating ◊ camping north wisconsin facilities that are provided by ◊ Stevens point tennis courts and camping facilities. I have ◊ “Mountain bike trails all over city or county parks. Wausau/ ◊ “Minocqua Winter Park also used quite a few Portage state. Marathon County could ◊ ABR County boat landings as well. ◊ Wi Dells Devils Lake State Park benefi t by providing additional ◊ Birkiebeiner trails” Specifi cally the Lake DuBay ◊ state camping in northern Pickleball facilities for health ◊ ice Age National Scenic Trail - landing. Since it is very near my highland forest/utv in iron cty and wellness as well as revenue especially in Marathon & Lincoln home. and Lincoln cty/camping and from the possibility of providing counties. ◊ “ABR, Winman, Winterpark, fi shing out of state tournaments. ◊ Boating and camping Razorback Ridges, Washburn ◊ Dane County Parks and State ◊ Waupaca for kayaking portage, vilas, Oneida, Lincoln Lakes, Three Lakes, Birkebeiner Parks and Forests throughout ◊ Shawano co, use small parks counties. Atv Lincoln, Langlade, trails, Rhinelander trails, the state for getting together with and Oneida mainly. Northwoods golf course, ◊ Lincoln County Forest for friends/family for a couple of ◊ Pelican lake Greenwood Hills golf course, Grouse/Woodcock Hunting hours - just sitting at picnic ◊ Rhinelander or tomahawk to Seeley Hills, Timm’s Hill. ◊ Camping, fi shing, kayaking tables play pickleball ◊ All for cross country skiing ◊ Council Grounds State Park ◊ We travel north for UTV trails ◊ Hockey when Nine Mile is closed or has ◊ Bear skin bike trail, Minoqua. ◊ Ice Age Trail in Lincoln County ◊ Clear lake bad conditions.” I walk and run on the trail. I do - Grandfather Falls Segment and ◊ Grandad’s Bluff -hiking, ◊ Mountain Bike/Hike trails in not bike. We also kayak and or Turtle Rock Segment sightseeing Lincoln County (Underdown) paddle board on E. Horsehead ◊ Horseback riding and ◊ For hockey we visit many ◊ “CW BMX in Wisconsin Rapids lake. camping. Hiking. other facilities, there are not ◊ Multiple ice hockey rinks all ◊ Merrill and Tomahawk: sports ◊ Door county: camping, many in worse condition inside over Wisconsin/Minnesota facilities orchards, restaurants, shopping, and outside (parking lot) or lack ◊ State parks geocaching ◊ State and county parks in etc (Potowatomi SP and of general things like tables and ◊ Green circle. numerous counties. Hiking, Penninsula SP) chairs then Marathon a park Ice ◊ Buff alo lake campground for biking, snowshoeing, kayaking, ◊ Tomahawk parks Arena. camping/fi shing/swimming/ boating, camping ◊ Active Backyard Retreat (ABR) ◊ Merrill ice rink for open skate hiking/kayaking ◊ copper falls for hiking, devils at Ironwood, Michigan, for cross ◊ “Pickleball in Allenton, ◊ Birkebeiner Ski Trail lake for hiking country skiing & snowshoeing. Westbend and Germantown ◊ Sawyer, Bayfi eld and Onieda ◊ Lincoln, portage and Wood Green Circle in Stevens Point for ◊ “Indoor rock climbing counties have cross country Counties for bow and rifl e biking. ◊ Ice skating ski trails that allow dogs for hunting. ◊ Door county parks both ◊ Beach skijoring ◊ ATV trails county and state. Harrison ◊ Kayaking ◊ Four wheeling ◊ Boating Beach state park. Trails, ◊ Ultimate frisbee” ◊ Year round ice arena ◊ Pettenwell, Castle Rock beaches, overlooks, and picnic ◊ Camping ◊ Mosinee, Weston, Stevens ◊ There is only one place facilities. ◊ We travel to DC Everest ice point, every other hockey arena in Marathon County to go ◊ Lake Dubay county park, area to play hockey and ice open year round. 4-Wheeling. We go almost camping skate year round. ◊ Sorry, we just moved here a every week into Clark county. ◊ Council Grounds State Park - ◊ Dexterville Park for camping. year ago and I can’t remember We would use a trail in camping, fi shing in a better part Minocqua for camping. all the names, but we love all Marathon county if there were of the river, hiking ◊ “Mulitple Ice arena’s- hockey the parks and biking trails in one. We don’t like going to ◊ Camping and softball areas. ◊ Wisconsin Rapids- CW BMX Stevens Point in particular. Clark county but we have no ◊ Clark and Wood County for ◊ Rhinlander- Hodag BMX” ◊ County parks in Portage other choice. camping ◊ Campgrounds and hockey County, state parks throughout ◊ Council Grounds in Lincoln ◊ Porcupine Mountains, hiking, rink state County. Peninsula State Park in camping, yurts, rustic cabins, ◊ “Greenheck Field house for ◊ Portage county parks and Door County and Koehler sight seeing, music festival, etc. ice skating. Shawano county campground ◊ Devils Lake - Swimming, ◊ Portage and Langlade county ◊ Crystal lake and plum lake” ◊ Underdown Trails hiking, camping parks for camping ◊ cycling paved Trail system ◊ Camping ◊ Green Circle - Stevens Point ◊ “Bay Beach-Brown County between boulder junction, ◊ Pickleball ◊ Kenosha county lakeshore ◊ Pamperin Park-Brown manitowish, sayner. Kayaking ◊ Camping at South Wood ◊ MONDEAUX DAM: MY County” at lakes up north County Park, Dexter Park, Lake FAMILY RESIDES IN THE AREA, ◊ Oshkosh YMCA ice arena & ◊ Northern Highland State Park. Emily, Hartman Creek AND WE HAVE A CABIN THERE. pool Paved biking trail connector ◊ Minocqua WInterpark, xc ski,

A-28 Marathon County | Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Raven Trails, Minocqua, hike/ ◊ Yes - outside the county for portage county ◊ Vilas xc ski early season cross-country ◊ Lake DuBay County Park to ◊ Iowa” ◊ We have camped at Lake skiing due to lack of snow here camp, kayak, bicycle ◊ Up by boulder junction, Dubay County park and at ◊ Camping-Woodruff , ◊ cross country skiing trail paved bycicle trails Crystal Lake State Park and Marshfi eld Minoqua, ABR, Rhinlelander, ◊ North Wood County Park Merrill Consel Grounds. ◊ Northwood County and Houghton, MI, door county for ◊ Camping at Portage County ◊ Wildcat mountain, camping Dexter Campgrounds. Camping biking and skiing Park ◊ UP or Winter Park trips and bike riding. ◊ South wood Co. Park ◊ Camping in Wood county ◊ Camping ◊ all over WI. Camping ◊ Summer months for camping ◊ Wood County Parks, Dexter, ◊ Deer Trail park campground ◊ “Winter Park, Minocqua xc ◊ “Bike trails North Wood County. State ◊ Nordic skiing on man mad skiing ◊ sugar camp disc course, Parks, Wissota, Willow River, snow or good early/late snow ◊ ABR Hurley Ironwood” standing rock disc course, Council Grounds, and Federal conitions ◊ Camping and atv others disc courses in park, High Ridge Campground ◊ RV camping with sewer, ◊ Shawano County Rhinelander area ◊ Lake DuBay Park and Landing electric and water hook ups ◊ Camping ◊ veterans campgrounds for boating. ◊ Lincoln/Oneida UTV/ATV ◊ Underdowns, Watersmeet,mi Langlade co. camping, ◊ Snowshoeing at multiple Trails for fi shing swimming, fi shing, and hiking. parks in and around St Germain/ ◊ “ATV trails langlade county ◊ “North of Wausau for cross ◊ Milwaukee, Green Bay for Sayner/ Star lake. Gartzke ◊ Camping “ country skiing skate parks and bike trails. fl owage. Harrison hills. Biking ◊ campgrounds ◊ Allover Wisconsin for ◊ Crystal Lake in the Northern all over the state where there ◊ “When family members visit paddling and bicycling “ Highland forest area and we are paved trails. we try to attend some of these ◊ Goose island for fi shing and use the extensive biking trails in ◊ Wood Lake - fi shing parks camping, that area as well. We snowshoe ◊ Shawano county private ◊ “Portage Count parks and ◊ Wood County camping and ski in the Minocqua area. camping Door County Parks ◊ We go to to Lake Farm County ◊ Peninsula Park in Door ◊ Various other Mountain bike ◊ Wood Lake Campground Park County, Devil’s Lake both for and Cross country trail systems. ◊ Lincoln, oneida , portage ◊ “Biking, hiking, boating, camping, hiking, swimming, ◊ Up north, I don’t know all of counties golfi ng kayaking, biking. the names, but a LOT of stuff up ◊ Northern Highlands camping, ◊ We use the biking and ◊ Camping there. biking, boating, swimming, hiking trails up north, Bear Skin ◊ Timms Hill, Boulder Junction ◊ paved bike trails in Vilas and fi shing Trail, Boulder Junction and St. area parks, Door county parks Onieda counties. Ski center and ◊ Northern Highland American Germain area ◊ Mostly or birdwatching, trails in Portage,Vilas,Onieda, Legion State Forest. We go ◊ Boating on Lake Nokomis but that is because of certain Oconto,Iron counties to campgrounds in this state ◊ Golfi ng in Tomahawk area” habitats, not what the parks ◊ camping forest, in Minocqua, Boulder ◊ Wood county off er. ◊ “Use paved trails in Junction, Sayner, & near Eagle ◊ State parks and other county ◊ “North Shore municipal Manitowish, Bolder Junction River, parks for camping and hockey public Camp Grounds, Two Area for biking ◊ Castle rock county park, ◊ “Hartman Creek, Underdown/ Harbors, Mn. ◊ Use Ski Trails at Minocqua Maidstones for camping Prairie Dells, Standing Rocks, ◊ . . . Houghton, Mi. municipal Winter Park and WinMan near ◊ Chippewa county park (pine Win Man, and various other Camp Grounds also” Winchester/Manitowish for point) for camping mountain biking facilities. ◊ Camp Luther, Three Lakes WI - skiing” ◊ Camping, at diff erent places ◊ Underdown for xc skiing.” summer camps ◊ Hiking, Devils Lake, Door in wisc. ◊ Dexterville - County ◊ Mead County ◊ wood county,Dexterville Campground, Dane County - ◊ We often visit Council ◊ Iola Winter Sports winter trails county park for camping. Clark Mendota Campground, Clark Grounds State Park in Merrill. ◊ Fishing in the Bittersweet county,Snyder county park County - Schnider Campground It is well kept and off ers great Wild Lakes Area camping n ATVing. Langlade ◊ Many. Levis Trow Mound. boat landings. ◊ Rib Mountain Area county Veterans Memmorial CAMBA Trails. Underdown/ ◊ Oneida/Tomahawk ◊ “Veterans Memorial Park Park,camping n hiking Prairie Dells trails. State parks/ snowmobile and atv/utv trail ◊ campgrounds ◊ “North wood county to camp county parks in Door County. system ◊ Council grounds and other where there are showers. Water ◊ mostly cross country skiing in ◊ Camping county camp grounds is not good there. early season when ours is closed ◊ Waupaca for boating, trails ◊ North wood county ◊ Snider by neillsville for the 4 due to hunting or lack of snow. and biking ◊ “Dells wheeler trails. “ ◊ Dubay county campground ◊ Landmarks and Hiking trails ◊ Councils grounds “ ◊ Camping, hiking and biking. ◊ Camping ◊ Parks in Stevens Point area ◊ We camp in several diff erent ◊ Nicolet National Forest, hiking ◊ Ski areas in Wisconsin and UP. ◊ Wood County state parks, county parks and ◊ Conover WI camping Hayward area ski trails, winter ◊ Iverson park, bucholt park, private camp grounds ◊ Peninsula State Park-biking. Park, rib falls, Washburn ski area Stevens point ◊ Mountain biking Boulder Junction bike trails. ◊ Hartman Creek ◊ Snowmobile trails ◊ We drive to Stevens Point to Birkebeiner cross country ski ◊ Portage county camping ◊ Paved bike trails from use the green circle bike loop/ trails. Pishtigo River - canoeing. ◊ “Mostly camping Chippewa Falls to Cornell. Also trail Muscoda, WI River - canoeing. ◊ Waupaca paved bike trails in Boulder ◊ Camping Oneida Co ◊ Camping at Lake Emily in ◊ Postage Junction area.

Appendix A | Survey & PIM Summary A-29 ◊ Dells area, Minocqua area ◊ Manitowish Waters/Boulder watching all the time close , the garbage cans were ◊ “Stevens point, horseback junction bike path ◊ Wisconsin Valley Fair at full and the bathroom wasn’t riding ◊ Will travel every other Marathon Park clean . I realize this is a very ◊ Waushara County, horse weekend. To mountain bike ◊ We are from Texas so we don’t busy part but I don’t think it camping” trails within 5 hrs get to Wisconsin too often was cleaned for a few weeks ◊ Devils lake state park for ◊ We go camping usually ◊ Snow fat biking last summer . “ hiking and the ability to do at Rivers Edge Campground ◊ 7 ◊ “Maintenance: 9-mile ski more than hike at the park. because of the pond and nice ◊ Roller skiing on highway “R” grooming can improve/extend ◊ Chippewa River State Park camping area. paved trail. season Trail, we go there for the ◊ Rock climbing ◊ Cleanliness: BEP pit toilets, paved road biking trails. It is a Q10 In which of the following ◊ Hiding painted rocks wind-blown garbage in woods wonderful thing with people recreational activities ◊ Road biking (paved paths) ◊ Safety: BEP, intoxicated do you and your family running/walking and mountain/ participate at County parks, ◊ Nature photography visitors/foul language does road biking on these trails. The forest units, and trails? ◊ Skatepark not support family-friendly best part is everyone feels safe atmosphere. because you are separated from ◊ Enjoying scenery and nature. Q11 How satisﬁ ed are you ◊ Accessibility: 9-mile land- the vehicle traffi c on streets. I ◊ pickleball with the appearance, use season/dates don’t align ◊ Letterboxing maintenance, cleanliness, currently live in marathon and safety, and accessibility of with best-use activities. No have almost been ran over by ◊ no other Marathon County’s parks, need to hunt there with semi trucks and other vehicles ◊ Just started camping last year forest units, and trails? other better-suited areas due to the lack of room on after camping years ago. Now available. This would allow the shoulder of roads. My wife taking grandchildren. ◊ It seems the parks have been this unit to have silent-sport actually refuses to bike on the ◊ stand up paddle boards overgrown and unkept this past focus/enhancements that county highways due to the ◊ Camping year or two. would provide great income lack of safety. I road bike with ◊ It’s nice weather I like to be ◊ The bathrooms often need opportunities. “ many other people and all of outside cleaning. ◊ It would be helpful to have them say the same thing. We ◊ Skateboarding. Please fi x ◊ At BEP: downed trees, horse a form or number to call if constantly take trips elsewhere Oak Island or build a new skate damage and manure, with problems are found-ie. if when with nice paved trails to exercise park!! pooled water on trails much of biking a tree is over a trail, so and enjoy each others company. ◊ None the year so travel goes around issues can be addressed earlier. We have old train track areas ◊ Roller derby the mud and damages more ◊ Generally satisfi ed, however that could be used for this ◊ Pickleball of the sides of the trail. Some Marathon Park has issues sole purpose. For 1 is is almost ◊ Berry Picking - some small drainage culverts would with maintenance, cleanliness perfectly fl at and is a perfect county forest lands could be help a lot. at times (ice arena, park area away from normal vehicle maintained to promote better ◊ Not too impressed w/ bathrooms). We don’t have traffi c for safety. Many other picking maintenance of Mountain Bay special accessibility issues but counties have areas like this, ◊ Trail running trail, too many ruts & could use I could see where some parks this year we will be going down ◊ Soccer more grooming & trimming. I wouldn’t be very user friendly to to the Madison area to try out ◊ Volleyball pick up more branches etc. than young and old needing mobility their paved trails and enjoy an ◊ skateboarding/rollerblading county employees do in the assistance (wheelchairs, walkers, extended weekend road biking. ◊ I’d love to see jojos jungle area of trail where I live near etc.). e.g. no paved paths for We have old train tracks that run take off and start construction Hatley. them to even just be nearer between marathon and edgar ASAP ◊ Accessibility is an issue at to play areas if they are going we should repurpose this space ◊ pickleball most of the parks. with a group or family, even if for good use. The only park I use ◊ Skateboarding wasn’t an ◊ “Often, maps and posters at they can’t, or wouldn’t need, to is the Eau Plaine for the disc golf option. Any time of safe activity trailheads are often faded even participate in the playground course. areas for our youth and safe torn. Sometimes garbage cans (because it’s not an all-inclusive ◊ Clear lake woodruff trails are great. are not emptied or they’re are play area, or if they are a ◊ Council grounds merrill ◊ Skateboarding not enough of them. grandparent just wanting to sit ◊ Kettle Moraine for hiking ◊ Hiking ◊ The Dells of the Eau Claire and watch). and up by Saynor for the great ◊ Grouse/Woodcock Hunting is a beautiful park and also ◊ I feel fatbiking should be paved biking trails ◊ use of the grill has a wonderful campground allowed at Nine-Mile Forest, ◊ Harrison ATV trails ◊ Will do more when toddlers and swim area . We love to on the singletrack/snowshoe ◊ Pamperin Park, Green Bay Wi get older go hiking there and have trails. Fatbikers and snowshoers ◊ Wyalusing State Park - ◊ Pokémon GO events shared it with many of our coexist very well at other camping, hiking, etc. ◊ Relaxing - enjoying the view friends and family. Have also facilites throughout the state ◊ “Stevens Point, K.A.S.H. Park, ◊ Rock hunting used the campground and (WinMan and Washburn, ◊ Stevens Point, Iverson Park ◊ Snowshoeing enjoyed that too. Bathrooms for example), and cause no ◊ Stevens Point, Sculpture Park” ◊ scuba diving at campground and swimming noticeable damage to XC ski ◊ Minoqua area parks ◊ Hockey beach were very clean . But trails when they cross. ◊ Devils Lake ◊ Pokemon Go the restrooms at the park ◊ I just don’t feel that the areas ◊ other counties to camp ◊ feel unsafe hiking at were awful ! You could smell are kept up nicely.. they seem ◊ Clark county for camping sunnyvale with the male stalkers them before you even got messy and things aren’t fi xed or

A-30 Marathon County | Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan cleaned up are younger and lower to the that are not accessible to doing and leave early for a ◊ big eau pleine - would like to ground. wheelchairs and the county bathroom need. see fl ush toilet restrooms and ◊ Big eau pleine, camping should continue to be ◊ Not a complaint, but I showers the electricity goes out. Boat INCLUSIVE for all disabilities and want it to be noted: Mission ◊ Just need more camping landing needs some work done. adapt facilities to accommodate Lake facilities are maintained availablity ◊ BigEau Pleine bathrooms all. Thank you for making the incredibly well. Thank you! ◊ The bathroom at Eau Claire camping sites need repair county facilities as accessible as ◊ Tennis/pickleball courts are in Dells is disgusting the one by ◊ I have stayed at Dells of Eau possible! poor condition. playground. A dump station n Claire park numerous times ◊ Marathon Park Multi Purpose ◊ too little experience to rate. running water would be nice where the electricity has failed building (hockey rink) Lobby is ◊ I would say necessarily in camping area this park has due to inadequate power often dirty in appearance (the dissatisfi ed but I think there is had so little improvement in so supply for the number of sites. fl oors) and there is very few an opportunity to spruce things many years. Come on Marathon The bathroom/shower facilities places for people to sit and wait up. County dooo something with also had some repair issues. for their kids to fi nish practice. ◊ The facilities at Big Eau Pleine it . The trails n waterfalls are ◊ “Eau Claire dells I would like Things have improved some are run down beautiful so many visitors come water access and dumping but since the RiverWolves came in ◊ Specifi cally, Marathon Park. to see it . not if the price goes way up. but there is still very limited Buildings are in disrepair, roof ◊ Not enough daily clean up. We are a family with a limited seating for people to wait. I leaks, parking lot is a swampy To many county employees just budget and love to camp. It strongly encourage the county hole all winter and is only better driving and or sitting around is the cheapest vacation for a to consider purchasing multiple when it is covered in ice and lnstead of active work eff orts family with children that you tables/chairs for families to sit at snow to level the parking lot ◊ Would enjoy better could have and so good for while waiting. Thank you! out. The rink itself all winter bathrooms families. If price goes to high ◊ marathon park courts. has little cleaning, inc fl oors, ◊ Showers at Marathon Park they can no longer do that. ◊ As stated above, Oak Island bathrooms. Hockey boards are need to be cleaner at the ◊ The park rangers could be is embarrassing and actually old, heaters rarely turn on and fl oor/lower levels where mold more friendlier not just come in dangerous because it’s in such mostly blow cold and dusty air. acquires and ride around and leave disrepair. Fix it or build a new ◊ No nearly enough pickleball ◊ The grooming at nine mile ◊ More areas that provide one! Wausau is big enough courts in Marathon Park. If was variable at times, even a decent shower house and that a new skate park would you drive to smaller cities such when their was plenty of snow electricity. WIFI options are absolutely be utilized. We’re as Eagle River or Tomahawk; late in the winter. I think more things we’ve noticed in the lucky to have Central Board you will fi nd six or more courts collaboration between the ski other places we camp. Shop, but there’s then no where available during the summer. club and groomers would be ◊ Restroom cleanliness is safe to go anymore in Marathon ◊ The hockey rink at Marathon helpful. extremely poor County to actually skateboard. Park needs an upgrade. We ◊ The bathrooms at the dells ◊ We had an experience of ◊ The hockey arena boards need more lobby area, tables and Eau Pleine are terrible. We nearby campers at the site are completely unsafe- during set up for people to eat, and a often go to Dubay because of Dells of Eau Claire getting games I have seen classmates general make-over. It is out- of the bathrooms and on site drunk, belligerent and almost fall onto the ice. The dated and unappealing. There dump station. threatening towards other leaking water is also a safety is hardly room to move around ◊ Would like available bottled nearby campers. There was no hazard in lobby area of the ice especially when a tournament is water stations or possible areas site person there and we had arena. I also feel the parking lot being held. to purchase additional ice for no cell reception. It was a scary could use some more road base ◊ Primarily concerned with coolers. experience especially since we to avoid the many pot holes. Marathon Park. Feel the park is ◊ Bathrooms very yucky. Mold were there with our 5 year old ◊ The hockey rink at Marathon underutilized and safety of the in showers ( men’s & womens daughter. Park has been neglected rink is below average. Overall ◊ The water at the beach at ◊ “Marathon Park needs: for years, and even with the space could be improved. big eau Plains was very nasty, ◊ -New, better and more recent improvements, remains ◊ “The Pickleball courts are in smelly, chunky. I did not even restroom facilities (it’s an well behind our neighboring OK repair. want to kayak there, much less inconvient walk way over to communities. We need ◊ I have never seen anyone play let my kids swim in it. This is a current ONE SET available) new boards and some more tennis anymore; need to convert shame because we absolutely ◊ -Blacktopped parking lots and investment into the facility. tennis courts to Pickleball love everything else about that pathways to pickleball courts” We also could use a longer courts... park. For this reason alone, we ◊ Pickleball is not always ice season, as our program is ◊ Fastest growing sport in USA. will not have our large group available and gets closed far growing very rapidly and ice For small investment Marathon camp there this year...fi rst earlier than park events take time is becoming very scarce park could be the Pickleball time in 7 years we are going place. Due to park usage and to spread around among our center of WI!” elsewhere. when the event is over, there various teams. ◊ We have to pick up the trash ◊ At the Dells of Eau Claire can be garbage that needs to be ◊ It is frustrating when the from the basketball courts and park last year there was a cleaned up. bathrooms aren’t open. empty the trash cans huge ground wasp nest next ◊ They are to the level I hope People are active in all types ◊ Maintenance on existing to the play area, making it for, not overly maintained but of weather—not just mid-June tennis and Pickleball courts is really unsafe for the children not in poor shape either. through August. Our family sub par. Investments not being to play especially children that ◊ There will always be places often has to stop what we are protected.

Appendix A | Survey & PIM Summary A-31 ◊ Only speaking for the and accessible. Bluegill, need another and more drain the water. Marathon Park Ice facility-needs ◊ Some grooming money at 9 trailer parking. Do we have any ◊ “I’m really excited to see Jojos updates!!! Even the simple Mile needs to be re-allocated to sandy beaches anymore? jungle inclusive and accessible things like a properly stocked High Use days (weekends) and ◊ “Sylvan Hill Park: trees are playground go in at brockmeyer First Aid kit. to do more of the grooming falling over the trails and ◊ I hope the city and county ◊ Marathon park ice rinks-Leaky in the late evening so that aren’t taken care off . Littering will get behind that to start the roofs. the trails have more time to everywhere around the shelters. project ASAP. It is a signifi cant ◊ Things are not very well freeze up before the skiers ◊ The grass gets so long at the need in our area. maintained or taken care of come in the morning. Skiers parks in the summer. Often ◊ I’d love to see something ◊ “just would like to see quickly degrade the trails when times my kids can’t even play even more expansive modeled a playground for disabled grooming is being done the soccer because the ball doesn’t after the Hammil Family Play children - ie JoJo’s Jungle same time as when skiers are roll in the grass. Zoo in Chicago come to the ◊ I think Wausau is ready for using the trails. “ ◊ Bathrooms area. We could be a local a dedicated and expanded ice ◊ Many parks do not have ◊ The Sunnyvale Softball destination “ arena to support our youth accessible garbage canisters complex has not been updated ◊ dog droppings often found at hockey programs. We continue along walking paths or near in many years. these facilities. to travel outside of our area to shelters. ◊ Airport park bathrooms dirty. ◊ Handicap accessible kayak fi nd ice time and pay for clinics ◊ A lot of parks in the area are ◊ The walking trail along launches at lake Wausau behind that could be off ered locally. overrun by geese and their the river - area near library/ the old Drott, hwy J, Ross Ave so A paved parking lot or better poop is everywhere. Its hard to underpass. Lots of homeless that my parent can go with us graded lot would also be a enjoy parks that are covered in people, sometimes harassing. ◊ MOST CLEANLINESS ISSUES positive addition. poop. Plus some of the geese ◊ The hockey rink was dirty, INVOLVE THE RESTROOMS AND ◊ Marathon park ice arena is can be very aggressive and will leaking water, not well lighted. LIKELY NOT DUE TO STAFF BUT very outdated. The gravel drive often chase or try to attack you. ◊ Marathon Park Facilities could RATHER IRRESPONSIBLE PEOPLE and parking area turns into a ◊ I would love to see prettier use an update! MISUSING THE FACILITIES AND mud pit in the thaw and icey parks with more fl ower gardens ◊ need to control geese in all PARKS. slushy mess in snow. and lighted trails. I thank you parks that they are currently ◊ Handicap kayak landings, ◊ Older facilities appear for all your good work. I do love present in Ross Ave, hwy j, lake Wausau neglected and crumbling the parks! ◊ Maintenance of the ball behind old Drott building, off (specifi cally asphalted trails ◊ All of the parks other than diamonds are some of the worst hwy n and eau claire river road within Marathon Park) Marathon Park would rank very I have ever seen. ◊ Our pickleball club members ◊ Na high in the above categories. I ◊ As far as safety, lighting major regularly empty the garbage ◊ Rib mtn pit toilets are scary would rank Marathon Park low trails would make them safer for near the courts because of the ◊ Up keep and maintain based on our use of the facility all users. smell and the hornets and the needs to be held to a higher during youth and high school ◊ The Marathon Park Rink overfl ow. standards. Depending on what hockey seasons. I think the parking lot and rink are a black ◊ Most of the forest trails are parks people are working and staff and parks department as eye on our community clean, but the closer you get to if and when you can fi nd them. a whole has done all they can ◊ Given the shortage of urban areas I feel like not much Is when things sometimes with the aging facility. I ranks pickelball courts, we try to play eff ort is made to keep it clean. get done or you get what you towards the worst arenas and on available tennis courts, but ◊ The park’s buildings at need. Plus the staff isn’t always facilities in the state for skating they are in such poor condition Marathon Park are simply the friendliest when you need and hockey. The parking lot is both at 3M and Marathon Park, dingy. There are so many great questions answers. Plus the always a mess with ice, slush that they are a safety hazard. assets, but they have not been update of bathroom at many and potholes. The building For some odd reason, the trash maintained well. parks is quite gross. We need to itself is maintained ok, but it’s is never emptied from the cans ◊ Maintence and upkeep of update for safety reasons the not an attractive venue. around the three pickleball park buildings(roofs, rockwork rink at Marathon Park for the ◊ Amco with no cell service courts at Marathon Park. and etc.) and restrooms leave safety of the players too. That is is very dangerous if in a life ◊ There are few easily accessible a lot to be desired. Also beach before someone really gets hurt. threatening situation someone kayak launch points and there grooming and park grass More lightning in some areas need assistance. I’d also like to are no readily available lists of mowing areas need be started of the parks as a whole would see that park kept a bit cleaner. kayak friendly places to launch a in some cases or more attention be good too, for the safety of ◊ However, the BEP kayak. Kayaking is getting more to grass areas in other areas. people using or in the park. campground needs some and more popular and it serves Fees in campground could be ◊ No updating in some areas as a draw for many people. At increased slightly, and off er boat ◊ Marathon park specifi cally, especially with the intense least a couple times a years I launch fee(additional charge) then parking lot is horrible. summer usage. plan kayak day trips with out along with campground fee Especially during the winter ◊ bluegill park, eliminate the of town friends to locations at time of registration. Launch ◊ “All areas need to be geese. outside Marathon County. fee would have to be as long evaluated for invasive species ◊ No buses near to the forest ◊ The paved walking trails in as camp fee. Could reduce and a plan to control them. 9 units and trails. Marathon Park need to be raised charge one day( Some way a Mile- locust trees. ◊ Geese population is ruining out of the water when the snow reduction of cost) if paid with ◊ Need to make urban bike and Bluegill, Eagles Club and melts in spring. Maybe rain camp registration. At least 2/3,s walking paths more connected Rookery Park. Boat launch at gardens need to be created to of park fees should stay with

A-32 Marathon County | Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan the park generated from for pit toilets at Dells of the Eau city for thousands $$$). Please remainder of the park looks its continued improvement. Claire campground have been do a better job in clearing the forgotten General revenue funds may overfl owing. sidewalks of HUGE puddles ◊ Restrooms at Cherokee need be needed to bring the parks ◊ Bathrooms or water during winter-melt, upgrading, also perhaps, at the back to where they were ten ◊ The bathrooms at the DC it prevents access to certain Dells. years ago, and bring them up to Everest Park are too dark and areas of the park. Please clean ◊ Hockey rink is beginning standards expect this year and unclean. The ones at sunnyvale dog poop from the side walks to fall apart. Its brings a TON into the future. park are also dark and unclean. and side grass areas or at of people to the community. ◊ “Year after year the quality of ◊ I walk in a lot of the parks least discourage pet owners People would rather go to dc the XC ski trail grooming at Nine and I am always amazed at from letting their dogs poop Everest Mile gets worse. the amount of garbage that anywhere. That is all many of ◊ Some parks like bluegill ◊ County should look into snow is left on the ground, whether us ask. boat launch has no bathrooms. making at Nine Mile or partner its plastic bottles, papers or ◊ PLEASE keep the prostitution Paying to use a launch and can’t with the Wausau Nordic Ski Club the people who do not pick out of the park. even put a portable John out is to put in snow making on part up after their dogs especially ◊ Thank you but at same time; annoying. of the lighted trails. “ when its on the main path you whoever is reading this won’t ◊ Marathon Park Ice Arena ◊ clean showers at are walking on. There are signs give a shit anyways because parking lot is terrible!!! pot campgrounds big eau plaine posted in most parks that you they aren’t being paid enough holes, more ice than the rink ◊ Marathon park, found drug are suppose to pick up after to care, itself. needs to be paved needles. This park needs to be your pet. Don’t see it happening ◊ Concern citizen of Wausau, WI ◊ Marathons parks Ice Arena is patrolled by police more. much. ◊ Trash, cigarette butts and dirty, leaking roof and broken ◊ Nine Mile; county does no ◊ I wish there is an easier broken glass at Marathon park bleachers and benches. No trail maintenance. way to fi nd the parks. Maybe and Blue Gill Bay. tables and chairs for visiting ◊ I am greatly dissatisfi ed that advertising. ◊ The road into the Big Eau teams or home teams to sit and Nine Mile is closed to mountain ◊ Marathon park ice arena Plane park needs serious work eat or relax in between games. biking for half of the year. All of outdated. to get it back in shape. Major Restroom always smells horrible. the users should be able to use ◊ “The city of Wausau has potholes & broken pavement. Facility is small and could be so it year round peacefully with a beautiful river through it, ◊ Most are good accept for the much better and clean. each other. most places the river can not Camping areas. Very dirty, no ◊ “Not enough pickleball ◊ Low cost camping is not be seen since the trees and fl ushing toilets or showers. courts. Long waits to play available. I grew up camping brush are not trimmed. IF parks ◊ Looking at the map, I realize ◊ Marathon park- Pickleball every weekend throughout the can trim every tree along the that our usage of Marathon courts are too few- we have 30 state. Fees have deterred me roads every year then branches County Park systems is primarily or more people showing up and from utilizing the parks and my can be trimmed up along the limited to Nine Mile, Dells of Eau can only have 12 playing at a 3 children are not as excited river. I know there is an issue Claire and Marathon Park. We time. The tennis courts could be about the outdoors as it is not with shoreland protection, but have some exploring to do! used for Pickleball, but they are routine. Frankly, after paying for the brush can be thinned and ◊ More lighting for evening in such bad shape that they are the campsite and fi rewood, you trimmed up 8 feet. the bike hours unsafe. The pickleball players are paying half, if not more than path along Wausau chemical, ◊ Would LOVE snowmaking are often cleaning the garbage half of a hotel stay. What person barker island and oak and fern at Nine Mile to allow for from the basketball courts and would choose to sleep outdoors island are overgrown. Barker accessibility for training and fun have had to take the garbage with mosquitoes, chance the island is dangerous with the as early as December! out for the entire season. So weather, and then wake up to crowd that hangs out in there. ◊ It would be nice to have much more could be done with make your own breakfast when ◊ some urinals at Cherokee paved parking area for ice arena. that area. they could sleep in a climate or Dells of Eau Claire have not This is the only place we have ◊ “hiking trails not marked at controlled environment and been scrubbed for years!... gone recently that does not all, very diffi cult to follow. have a breakfast buff et waiting appears just rinsed with have a paved parking area. ◊ downed trees on trails, have for them when they wake up? chemicals.. ◊ We have had to clean our been there for years ME! But it has gotten more ◊ Bike trail on the fern or oak rented space at Marathon, ◊ send staff to trail building expensive and have not given island has a bridge on the Machmueller, and Sandy seminars so they know what my children the opportunities south side with steps still. also Meadow parks. they are doing and have instilled the passion the trails on the island are so ◊ “Cracks on tennis courts. ◊ Marathon Park Ice Arena has for the outdoors as my parents narrow, can not ride when Some courts have torn or non- roof that leaks and nothing have due to the cost. anyone is walking on them” regulation height nets. and I mean nothing gets done ◊ I think bathrooms, conditions ◊ “Mainly Marathon Park is the ◊ There is a lack of tennis & about it. and smell are typically not problem. Pickleball courts in the area. “ ◊ FIX IT ALREADY!!” the best at the park facilities. ◊ Please do a better job in ◊ Bluegill Park is heavily used ◊ Issues at Big Eau Pliene Park Not just Marathon co, but snow removal next winter in but often needs lawn care, trail camping. Highly monitored everywhere in this country. Marathon Park! Please take care maintainence, garbage clean- during the day for every silly ◊ Park by sturgeon eddy - of the icy side walks in Marathon up bathroom maintainence, thing. After 10pm it is no place found syringes Park during the winter, at least upgrade to play equipment. to take a family...Loud music, ◊ Pit toilets are often smelly add dirt or salt (if I fall again this The new fi shing platform is a yelling, domestic fi ghts. and fail to have fl y control. The winter in your park, I will sue the great addition but most of the ◊ The parks are not up to date.

Appendix A | Survey & PIM Summary A-33 We have 3 hockey players in Eagles Club. Cannot walk or ◊ Stop clear cutting all the Iola Winter Sports Center, our home and the marathon bike through due to excrement county forests! Minocqua Winter Park, ABR, and ice rink is very poor compared all over the place. Very unsafe. ◊ Need a year round ice arena. WinMan is not “consistently” to others around us. Could use It’s a problem all over not just Loosing out on money and groomed to the standards more seating. HEAT. Be open all Marathon County.” people of the locations mentioned. year round. Paved parking lots. ◊ Lots of garbage at WI River ◊ Things seem to be becoming Sometimes it’s groomed well, The park equipment is getting unit worn down. sometimes it is groomed poorly, out dated and is very dirty most ◊ The bathrooms are dirty and ◊ Trail signage at Eagle Claire and sometimes not at all. This the time. old with holes in the ground Dells needs to be improved. impacts our business. When ◊ Marathon parks parking lots marked with yellow tape that ◊ Only listed dissatisfaction there is not consistent standards are horrifi c for pot holes and was falling down and missing because of serious concerns met, people will go elsewhere lighting of the parking lots in my daughter cold have stepped about river pollution at Big where they know what to the parking lot by the horse in it when she was running in Eau Pleins....afraid to let kids expect. showing area is very limited. the grass at bluegill park . Very swim there now because of it. ◊ Big Eau Pleine Park- A lot of old buildings could be dangerous. Also concerned about safety Bathrooms are usually dirty, fi re taken down and replaced with ◊ “really in this day and age a at Marathon Park for camping. rings not cleaned out, Picnic modern facilities that don’t leak drop pit toilet, no showers, why Would like to camp there, but tables not repaired water through the roofs, would would I stay there when other rarely see any safety patrols, so ◊ Shelters could be cleaner and generate year round income clounty parks have free showers, avoid going. I love both places, cob webs be removed due to ice year round. Same you are fooling yourself if you but feel their quality is less than ◊ Would love more electric with an indoor pool like what think people are not showering, previously. Also, I have never camp sites The Grand Lodge Cedar Creek they are usign campers and heard of most of the other ◊ We stay at the Big Eau Pleine has. letting it run on ground, think I locations.... county park. It is a great park ◊ Potholes in marathon park want to camp in someone elses ◊ Eau Plaine water was terribly but the only problem we run are horrible waste? green. into with friends coming along ◊ “Marathon Park Ice arena: ◊ The Mission Lake park ◊ Many county forest area lack is they need showers and pit ◊ Would like to see an updated needs a bathroom closer to facilities to recreate and are toilets kind of scare them. So facility. The lobby area has very the landing. Trying to fi nd it underutilized for recreation. showers would be nice. poor set up for families/skaters and even get to it after dusk or Parks have aged facilities and ◊ Look at making single track to hang out between games before dawn can be a bit unsafe need upgrading. Snow making trails one way and also not etc. Our family has been to a with all the tree roots and at 9 mile would enhance the allowing runners or walkers on ton of rinks and ours by far has uneven ground. park as a destination. single track trails the poorest lobby situation. ◊ Signage in some areas ◊ Power outage at Eau Claire ◊ Marathon Park needs their It would also be nice to have is out of date - little or no ◊ Cross Country trail grooming Campground facilities cleaned a paved parking lot. And year maintenance given to assist at 9 mile county forest this year a lot better. Spider webs in the round ice! “ in trails. Volunteers given all seemed worse than years past. bathroom and showers. Sites ◊ Marathon Park parking lot in resposibility in most cases. Sometimes no grooming would needed better cleaning after the winter was horrible as far ◊ Marathon Park Ice Arena- we occur for days after snowstorm. camper leaves. as plowing snow. Cars getting need a better facility for MCYH Outer trails were groomed ◊ Wash outs on trails, not wheel stuck everywhere and year round Ice! much less frequently than inner chair friendly ◊ Marathon park ice areana in ◊ Bathrooms 90% of time are trails. ◊ “Nine mile bathrooms should the winter time always has pot unclean. ◊ Just a note. Rain damage be cleaner and/or renovated. holes everywhere is ice over ◊ Marathon Park Ice Rink from last year resulted in the ◊ Trail conditions at nine mile throughout the parking lots. could use some cleaning and response of satisfi ed only. we’re poor this year due to The guys who work there do updating Repairs were not yet done when inadequate grooming” the best they can but during ◊ Parking can be an issue at the we arrived. ◊ Need wifi and cellular service peek hours they are running big eau planne ◊ Safety - a lot of trails could is very limited. the rink and cannot take care ◊ Marathon Park has alot of Pot use more lighting ◊ The grooming at the 9 mile of the lot. There has been Holes ◊ Too often ski grooming cross country ski trails was not multiple times when people ◊ We found a lot of trash equipment breaks down good a majority of the season. have fallen with kids with the around the Dell’s of the eau and the quality of skiing is It improved in late February but sliperey conditions. I we got Clare park from teenagers diminished more than at other before that it was not very good. to other rinks and they don’t hanging around the rapids in outside of county sites ◊ Bad pavement (blacktop) at have this problem cause there the late evening. Picked up ◊ Big Eau Plain campground. Big Eau Pleine, in and out! parking lot is paved. Paving the ourselves. The ranger needs to relax and ◊ I have been camping at Eau road will make it easier for the ◊ “Buckthorn is taking over at a use a little common sense. Claire Dells, & the bathroom workers and safer for the familes number of areas, I’m particularly People camp in groups and in the campground, wasn’t entering the rink. concerned about Bluegill. congregate at one campsite. very clean. The bathroom at ◊ “Bluegill Park great but too ◊ While all days aren’t bad there Rules need to be a guidance as the west campground of Eau congested with limited boat are many instances when the long everyone is safe. He is rude Pleine, was excellent. launching and parking. trail grooming at nine-mile is and not friendly. ◊ Dells of the Eau Claire. ◊ Geese are destroying the not up to the level of other area ◊ 9 Mile when compared Shouldn’t charge for electric local parks. Bluegill, DC Everest trails.” with other Ski facilities like since the breaker continually

A-34 Marathon County | Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan blows and campers spend more spotty electricity over the hot better. Install cameras and fi ne well-served by existing clubs. time resetting the breaker til it holiday weekend. Pit toilets those who are stupid enough ◊ Stick to providing public blows an hour later were not clean. Wood fi re sales to litter. access to nature areas. Others ◊ The bathroom at the Eau were at bad times of day. ◊ Many places are hard for in the cominities can provide Claire Dells by playground area ◊ Eau Pleine - lack of updated handicap with diffi culties social services is horrible. electrical grid. Had spotty walking. ◊ More Days of Nordic skiing - ◊ The Nine Mile Forest shelter electricity over the hot holiday ◊ “Bathrooms at eau pleune Adult - Man-made snow would needs to be updated. Last weekend. Flush toilets and park help to provide this. summer’s improvements showers would be a huge ◊ Playground equipment ◊ We are not in Marathon helped, but a new paint job and improvement. Pit toilets were in Marathon Park is old and County. some additional decorations not clean. Wood fi re sales were beat-up. We love biking with ◊ none would greatly improve the at bad times of day. the family from Weston and ◊ Have gathering for kids to facilities. Also, it’s time to have ◊ Everything needs updating, using MCP as a destination. The meet others and do games a vending machine there for picnic tables, grills, shelters, etc. whole park/area could use a together. Have popcorn to hand hungry folks. Often the front ◊ Grooming at 9-mile is still facelift to be much more than out or icecream social.would like desk people are busy and can’t below average compared just the fair grounds and spot to see a few tables or benches be asked to serve as food sellers to the rest of the state. Very for community activities. With that are permanently set up as well as ticket sales people. disappointing it’s accessibility to all of the near Beach area to sit at. ◊ The eau plaine west side. ◊ Restrooms at Big Eau Pleine nearby employers and schools ◊ We would love to have more Bathrooms stunk no water seem to always be in need of it could use new equipment, and well maintained pickleball in the tanks to cover feces attention such as sweeping, a better trail and a cleaner/ courts. Other communities or deoterizers in the water. knocking down webs, mopping more modern appearance (like are off ering many options but Not well managed at all and the fl oor and maintenance Doepke park in Rib Mtn) would love to have them right mantained. Summer of 2018. addressing odor. ◊ Would love more stroller here. And great way to keep Been there other years and it ◊ Big explains - some of the friendly trails! population active and invite wasnt bad restrooms are terrible ◊ Accessibility: it would be tourism. ◊ Mowing/ trimming/ ◊ I wish the forest units had nice for all kids to have access ◊ Pickleball grooming at Nine Mile more signs for the trails because to local parks including those ◊ more cycling events ◊ We camp at Big Eau Pleine I have to look at my Google in wheel chairs or those ◊ Add more pickleball courts and the website to reserve Maps to know if I am still within with special needs. Not all to Marathon Park and other sites at the beginning of year the area and what trail I am playgrounds in the area are recreation facilities (Rothschild, is a mess. This is the weekend on. Also, boardwalks would equipped to meet everyone’s Weston). Too many people that we have a bunch of people be great for Spring and Winter needs. have to wait for a court! camping and it was hard to time when they aren’t accessible ◊ At mission lake there will be ◊ All activities are needed in get sites together cause the because of the mud/snow. no pens or papers for fi lling out this area. We just need to fi nd site keep crashing. The electric ◊ Electric needs to be updated for payment sometimes and no more qualifi ed teachers and last year kept going out in the at Big Eau Plaine West unit. Last toilet paper in the restroom facilities. west unit. You need to upgrade year we were camping with ◊ “Big Eau Pleine should not ◊ Skate boarding competitions. and have at least a shower / friends and 3 out of the 4 sites allow horses on trails when wet. Central Board Shop is amazing fush toliet building at each we had lost power for over 16 Even disc golf gets closed. for this but we need a new or campground - you can still hours ◊ Disc golf fees are too high... improved skate park! have some pit potties - they are ◊ Not enough benches or do not exist in other parks (?) ◊ cross country ski lessons always clean. playground equipment in all this discourages new users to ◊ Road biking ◊ Trail maintenance in the areas. the sport. ◊ Roller derby, both youth and winter is consistently poor ◊ The toilet facilities at the eau ◊ Events should pay fees.... adults ◊ “The restrooms we’re fi lthy. plane Park Beach have been senior rate?!!” ◊ Nice to add footsal and The door locks were broken. horrendous forever the smell other such winter/indoor Very little signage on where is atrocious as you leave the Q14 Please indicate if you or opportunities the R. V. Dump, or fresh water parking lot and walk past. anyone in your household ◊ woodworking shop has the need for each of the was, after the restroom locks ◊ Bathrooms should be recreation programs listed ◊ I don’t understand...nobody were fi xed no one was given the updated at all parks - running below by indicating Yes or NEEDS any of these, poorly combination etc. etc water and fl ush toilets, we’d stay No and Youth, Adult, or Both worded question ◊ Camping at Dells of the Eau longer if bathrooms were clean. for each program? (Other) ◊ Indoor Soccer facility Claire last summer - restrooms ◊ The restrooms could use ◊ Indoor soccer facility ◊ Foraging hikes/instructors needed to be serviced. better ventilation. ◊ Feel free to create a list ◊ Geocaching events , ◊ Bathrooms not always clean. ◊ Garbage left at parks by user. of programs, and then have like CITO Events...Cache In, ◊ 9 Mile needs more winter Not necessarily fault of the park. outside vendors provide the Trash Out . People look for skiing and summer mountain ◊ Thee grass is unkept in instructors, and then charge a geocaches and pick all garbage biking signage. But thus is true parts of the park, making it un fee for each participant to cover ◊ + no matter where the facility is, assessible to use those areas, the instructor’s time. Similar ◊ croquet or bocce there is always a lack of signage. parking lots are dirty and fi lled to Grebe’s Chef Center cooking tournaments/lessons ◊ “Dells of Eau Claire - lack of with trash. classes. Grebe’s provides the ◊ I need/use both mountain updated electrical grid. Had ◊ As always litter could be space, fi nds local chefs, and bike and XC ski, but both are

Appendix A | Survey & PIM Summary A-35 participants pay a fee for the ◊ Didn’t know that marathon ◊ are these not programs run ◊ Dog Park materials and chef time. has all of these programs by the city and not the county ◊ I think Marathon County ◊ Handicap kayak facilities available. ◊ I VERY much appreciate is ready for a Bike Festival. It ◊ Horse back riding (Adult) ◊ Na spaces I am allowed to let my should be family friendly as well ◊ LOL, wtf even is this!?!? this is ◊ Mountain biking dog off leash (obviously under as for hard-core folks. A parade, the worst survey I’ve ever seen. lessons-adult the proviso that it is a safe and ice cream, designated dedicated “Adaptive (special populations) ◊ Bike safety and repair well trained dog). bike route, and a family friendly Programs”, is anybody going ◊ n ◊ Family sand volleyball concert at the end of the day. to know what this is?? What ◊ Allabove answered for adults ◊ Classes for sports offi ciating ◊ not a big fan of organized kinda of value do you think you only ◊ Bad question, too diffi cult activities are gathering from a complete ◊ Tennis & Pickleball ◊ NA ◊ Paved road biking trails disorganized cluster of a tournaments ◊ Add a fi ll all option for survey like this? srrrssly. Also ◊ Pickleball Tournaments questions like these recreation is not a need. ◊ Horseback riding ◊ Adults only camping

A-36 Marathon County | Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT MEETING RESULTS APRIL 30, 2019 PIM RESULTS To encourage public involvement in the Marathon County Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, the County also hosted a public involvement meeting on April 30, 2019. The involvement meeting took place in three parts:

First, attendees were given the opportunity to review maps of parks, forest units, and trails adding comments coded to specifi c locations within the County park and forest system. These comments were classifi ed by three diff erent questions, allowing participants to categorize their type of comment by location. Categories included General or Specifi c Improvements within Existing Parks and Forest Units, Areas where New Parks or Forest Units are Desired, and Areas where New Trails or Paved Shoulders are Desired. Participants were also invited to share their Big Ideas for Parks, Recreation, and Forestry via the comment form.

The second section of the involvement meeting allowed for participants to mark on a trail map desired connections, additions, and/or extensions of trails within the County system.

Finally, attendees participated in a spending activity that allowed choice of where they would personally spend money within the park, forest, and trail system based on category of use or improvement. If desired, they also had the opportunity to further categorize investment by writing directly specifi c activities, locations, or uses the “money” would go towards within that category.

Responses and analysis in this summary include responses from all PIM attendees.

Appendix A | Survey & PIM Summary A-37 RESULTS OF COMMENTS, BY PARK, FOREST UNIT, OR TRAIL (72 COMMENTS)

Comment Park Kayak Launch Amco Ashley Park - how to fi nd it? Some semblence of trails would be nice. Ashley Park Campsites need to be leveled, all slope to the bank-side. Big Eau Pleine is very populated with deer leading to forest & habitat Big Eau Pleine degredation. Open it to hunting to decrease deer numbers Eau Pleine is set up very nicely Blue Gill is overrun with deer and all native plants are degraded. Blue Gill Bay Buckthorn has taken over the aspen. Herd reduction - please! Develop Brokaw for Mtn biking Add a sign at the parking lot in Brokaw. Develop mountain biking trails in the Brokaw Hills (former cross-country ski area) Brokaw

Mathey construction land north of Brokaw - new park / mountain biking? Bulma hiking/snowshoe trails/fat tire Burma Road More campsites and amenities Add large fi re ring, water pump in grove campground Dells of Eau Claire Improve maps Athens to Marathon off road bike trail for a “Marathon Route” More Trails Add Parking area Link via bike-ped path the conservancy area to an easement heading east.

Just off the map is a brownfi eld - could this be redeveloped into fi elds or Eastbay Sports Complex parking or artifi cial turf fi elds somehow connected to Eastbay? Could redevelop this area into soccer/sports fi elds and/or parking to support Eastbay complex Could redevelop this area into soccer/sports fi elds and/or parking to support Eastbay complex Could redevelop this area into soccer/sports fi elds and/or parking to support Eastbay complex Promote sections of ice age trail better Ice Age Trail Improve trails for Mtn biking Kronenwetter Improve trails for Mtn biking Leather Camp

A-38 Marathon County | Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Add 6 pickleball courts Add 6 pickleball courts Ice arena updates - and focus on booking more “family” events Special concert events - hire an agency to book concerts to maximize the investment made here Enlarge dog park space in Marathon County. More pickleball courts Marathon Park Pave parking lot Update road signage highlighting events Raise the pedestrian paths so they aren’t underwater in spring. Trails connect, but still lack a complete loop. All the area under the tree canopy should be a loop, not just small western loop. Marathon Park needs more pickleball courts. Add 6 courts ASAP. Develop biking trails at Mission Lake if not there already Mission Lake Allow fat tire biking at Nine Mile in the winter. Extend fall mountain biking, add snowmaking to a limited portion of the trails. Need to allow fat tire biking in winter along with the skiers Connector from Nine Mile to Rib Mountain S.P. - on snowmobile easement? Matt Black may have concept Make Nine Mile an economic draw/destination. Andy is a good fi rst step - notch up the chalet. Remove the chains and allow parking here!! (near foxglove) More mtb trails / allow mtb during winter Make Nine Mile a special use area - make it a park - take it out of Nine Mile enterprise zone so $ can be put into it. Add 4-season event shelter at Nine Mile to better program events and serve users. Mosinee Hill easements for trails Easement connect Nine Mile to school forest to Trillium Trail to avoid Hwy KK Connect Laurel to HWY KK at Nine Mile Expand opportunities for use Incredible trails, but grooming needs to be improved Kayak Launch Rib Falls Park

Appendix A | Survey & PIM Summary A-39 Canoe/kayak landing Old fat tire trails should be used as snowshoe trails Develop biking trails through the woods Sunny Vale - develop hiking/biking trails along Rib River utilizing the old railroad & bridge to Marathon City. Bike Link from Sunnyvale to Rib Mountain Sunny Vale Sunnyvalle - RR bridge repaired/improved to tie in with north and south areas for biking and snowmobiling

Continue trails at Sunny Vale along Rib River to Rib Mountain park trails Increase access to Rib River Extend Ryan Street to Hwy X Trails in Eau Claire River Conservancy should connect to Schofi eld & Weston Trail connecting to NN across Black Bridge Extend Municipal St to Hwy X in Weston Extend Mountain Bay trail to Kent Street Increase length of railroad grade from Fenwood to Edgar Trail Connections More trail connections Designated bike routes on trails from metro area to Dells, Nine Mile, Burma, Big Eau Pleine

New multiuse trail on abandoned railway. Could be ATV, bike, and walk. Pave shoulders of County Roads Establish access to Trapper River Dells via fottpath, at least. Trappe River Dells Have never heard of Trappe River Dells. How do I access it? Canoe/boat landing? Wisconsin River

A-40 Marathon County | Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan DESIRED TRAIL CONNECTIONS WITHIN THE SYSTEM

Appendix A | Survey & PIM Summary A-41 PARKS, FORESTS, AND TRAILS SPENDING ACTIVITY

PIM Poll Results Meeting participants were provided 10 Where would you spend your money? $1,000 bills and were given the opportunity to place any combination of the $10,000 Categories Number Percent of Total into 12 categories. The majority of Athletic Facilities 37 19% participants favored investments in non- Aquatics 0 0% motorized trails, followed by athletic facilities, environmental preservation, and Boating and Fishing 2 1% support facilities. Campgrounds 1 1% County Festivals & Special Events 7 4% Environmental (preservation, education, restoration, etc.) 17 9% Playgrounds 1 1% Recreational Programs 4 2% Support Facilities 13 7% Trails (Motorized) 0 0% Trails (Non-Motorized) 99 52% Other 9 5% Total 190 100%

Trails (Non-Motorized)

AthleƟc FaciliƟes

Environmental (preservaƟon, educaƟon,…

Support FaciliƟes

Other

County FesƟvals & Special Events

RecreaƟonal Programs

BoaƟng and Fishing

Playgrounds

Campgrounds

Trails (Motorized)

AquaƟcs

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

A-42 Marathon County | Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan PARKS, FORESTS, AND TRAILS SPENDING ACTIVITY - NON-MOTORIZED TRAILS

Nine Mile**

Mountain Biking

Trails ConnecƟng CommuniƟes (North,…

More Horse Trails

Hiking & Biking

Land AcquisiƟon

Other

BeƩer Trail WayĮnding/Signs

Snowshoe & Cross-Country Ski

Marathon Park Pedestrian

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%

PARKS, FORESTS, AND TRAILS SPENDING ACTIVITY - ALL MENTIONS OF NINE MILE

Winter Biking

Mountain Biking Trails

Hiking & Biking

Snow-Making

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% PARKS, FORESTS, AND TRAILS SPENDING ACTIVITY - ATHLETIC FACILITIES

Pickleball* Hockey Arena Eastbay Appendix A | Survey & PIM Summary A-43 PARKS, FORESTS, AND TRAILS SPENDING ACTIVITY - FULL SUB-CATEGORY RESULTS

PIM Poll Results PIM Poll Results Categories within “Athletic Facilities” Categoies within “Non-Motorized Trails” Sub-Categories Number Percent of Total Sub-Categories Number Percent of Total Pickleball* 17 46% Nine Mile 26 26% Hockey Arena 10 27% Mountain Biking 21 21% Eastbay 10 27% More Horse Trails 11 11% Total 37 100% * Marathon Park named in 6 responses Trails Connecting Communities (North, South, & West of Wausau) 11 11% PIM Poll Results Hiking & Biking 10 10% Categories within “County Festivals & Special Events” Snowshoe & Cross-Country Ski 2 2% Sub-Categories Number Percent of Total Better Trail Wayfi nding/Signs 2 2% Bike Festival 3 43% Marathon Park Pedestrian 1 1% More Events 1 14% Land Acquisition 9 9% Other / General Festivals & Events 3 43% Other 6 6% Total 7 100% Total 99 100%

PIM Poll Results PIM Poll Results Categories within “Recreational Programs” Specifi c Activity Mentions at Nine Mile Sub-Categories Number Percent of Total Sub-Categories Number Percent of Total Senior Programs 2 50% Hiking & Biking 10 25% Youth Programs 1 25% Mountain Biking Trails 11 28% Nature-Focused Programming 1 25% Snow-Making 8 20% Total 4 100% Winter Biking 11 28% Total 40 100% PIM Poll Results Categories within “Support Facilities” Sub-Categories Number Percent of Total Nine Mile 3 23% Restrooms 2 15% Other / General Support Facilities 8 62% Total 13 100%

A-44 Marathon County | Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan