County aims to expand popular Fredonia park

Supervisors on the Ozaukee County Natural Resources Committee last week voted to apply for a federal grant that would be used to enlarge Waubedonia Park by about a third north along the Milwaukee River.

The $120,000 grant from the U.S. Forest Service Community Forest Program would be used to purchase 15 acres of forest between the east bank of the river along Highway I and north of the existing park land north of Highway H.

The grant requires a one-to-one non-federal match, which county Planning and Parks Director Andrew Struck said would be met by a pending Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District Greenseams grant for a total project cost of $240,000.

Struck said his department has been working with local landowners to acquire the forest, which also includes wetlands.

“Adjacent parcels have recently been developed for residential use, and acquisition of this parcel and incorporation into the Ozaukee County park system would protect the parcel in perpetuity from conversion to non-forested use,” Struck said in a memo to the committee. 

“The landowners we’re working with prefer that it remain forested,” Struck said.

The parcel also helps better connect Waubedonia County Park to the Waubeka mill and Button Factory upstream to create a kayak loop between them, he said.

Struck said campsites could be added.

“It would be a walk-in-and-camp, not a drive-up-and-camp site,” he said.

He also said some “educational function” would be provided for schools and groups.

Most of Waubedonia County Park is located south of Highway H. In recent years it has become increasingly popular as a camping destination.

“Camping at Waubedonia Park is an extremely popular activity, as the campsites are routinely reserved and the campgrounds are at capacity through most of the camping season,” Struck told the committee last month in a memo.

Potential future improvements at the park include installing showers, adding a floating self-serve handicapped accessible kayak and canoe rental station and launch, and a fishing pier.

The committee last month also voted to spend $68,000 to replace playground equipment there.

There are 17 campsites at the park, six of which have water and electricity and are suitable for RV campers.

Officials have said they hope to add a group campsite and another RV site at Waubedonia Park.