Amery

The City of Amery

Welcome to Amery, a 'City of Lakes and Trails'

Find scenic beauty, a vibrant arts culture, 13 inviting parks with lots of amenities and a historic downtown when you visit Amery. Whether you are an outdoor enthusiast, art aficionado, or foodie, we have something for you!

Adventure is easy to find in this city surrounded by lakes, campgrounds, on-water resorts, marinas, and hiking, biking and OHV trails. Known as the “City of Lakes and Trails,” Amery itself boasts three in-town lakes, a river and quick access to two multi-use state trails. During summer, you’ll find people paddling on North, Twin and Pike lakes and on the picturesque Apple River. Pontoon touring is popular, while fisher-folks pursue bass and muskies, among other species. Amery is also a Wisconsin Bird City, and Tree City USA.

Amery was featured in “The 100 Best Small Arts Towns in America” and has two art galleries. Art displays abound everywhere! Visit community murals, search flea markets and vintage shops, or come to the Earth Arts Spring Art Tour in May or the Women’s Club annual Arts Fair in June.

Grab your shopping pals and head to the downtown retail shops, which range from vintage shops, to boutiques, to gift shops. The local food scene is bustling. Restaurants, grills and pubs – nearly 20 in and around Amery – guarantee you won’t go away hungry. A mouth-watering burger, sizzling steak or Friday fish fry, along with craft brews (some local) are go-to favorites.

Other recreational pursuits include the Amery Golf Club, an 18-hole course with a scenic layout and four sets of tees to challenge golfers of all ages and abilities. There is also a disc golf course available. Amery has opened up most public roads for ATV/UTV use. Check the map for exceptions.

The Cattail State Trail is a prime example of a multi-use trail open year-round for ATVing; other trail uses include hiking, mountain biking, wildlife viewing, horseback riding and snowmobiling. In Amery, the trailhead is situated near Highway 46 and the Apple River. The trail goes for 18 miles to Almena in Barron County.

The Stower Seven Lakes State Trail runs from Amery to nearly Dresser. Built on a former railroad corridor, the trail begins at Soo Line Park on Harriman Avenue in Amery, travels through Deronda, Wanderoos and Nye, ending about 1 mile from Dresser on 90th Avenue.

During the autumn masterpiece known as “Colorama,” enjoy the brilliant leaf color in a landscape of rolling ridges and lush forests. When “hard-ice” time rolls around, shanties pop up on the lakes as anglers patiently peer down a round hole, waiting for a strike. Winter trails hum with activity with snowmobilers and cross-country skiers.

Savor the Beauty of Stower Seven Lakes Trail

The Stower Seven Lakes State Trail is a beautiful place to run, walk, ride a bike or just sit on a bench and take in the beauty that surrounds you. Not only are there seven lakes around which to meander, there are also a variety of plants and wildlife species to be viewed. The trail itself is basically flat and goes 14 miles one way from Amery to near Dresser. It’s wheelchair accessible and accommodates all ages and skill levels.

Built on a former railroad corridor, the trail begins in Amery, travels through the communities of Deronda, Wanderoos and Nye, ending about one mile from Dresser at 90th Avenue. Each bicyclist age 16 or older needs a Wisconsin state trail pass while using the trail. It’s maintained for cross-country skiing when the snow arrives. Each October, the trail hosts the “Changing Colors” bike ride/walk.

The trail passes through maple and oak forests, wetlands, prairies and farmlands and past several picturesque lakes. The trail crosses between the North Twin and South Twin lakes in Amery, skirts the south end of Bear Trap Lake, the north end of Kinney Lake, and runs along Dwight, Horse and Lotus lakes near the western end. Rest stops have been developed, which include parking spaces, restrooms, drinking fountains and picnic tables. Mile markers and point-of-interest signs aid in identifying one’s location.

Directions: Traveling north from Interstate 94 or south from U.S. Highway 8, take Highway 46 into Amery or Highway 65 to Wanderoos. Parking is available along city streets in both communities. In Amery, the trail begins just west of Highway 46 at Harriman Avenue. There is also a public parking lot near the trail in Amery just east of Harriman Avenue. From Dresser, take County Highway F, turn south on County Highway MM and then east on 90th Avenue to the beginning of the trail near Lotus Lake. Parking is available along city streets in Dresser. There is also a parking lot at Lotus Lake County Park, just east of the trail along 90th Avenue.

Bonus attractions: Between mile markers 10 and 11, veer to the north and follow the signs to beautiful Dwight Lake. Relax at the peaceful swimming beach on this hidden gem! Also, enjoy the beautiful lotus flowers on the lake by the same name in late July.

D.D. Kennedy Environmental Area

In this issue we are highlighting one of several parks in Polk County. D.D. Kennedy Environmental Area is a 99-acre environmental area preserve located between Amery and Balsam Lake. It’s situated along the Balsam Branch, which flows through central Polk County.

Visitors will find a small dam, millpond and a prairie restoration with well-maintained trails. The preserve is listed as a stop on the Great Wisconsin Birding & Nature Trail. The prairie restoration area features native grasses and wildflowers, which attracts a large variety of birds. Signature species include Black-throated Green and Canada Warblers, Blue-headed Vireos, and Yellowbellied Flycatchers.

Interpretive hiking trails, including 1-1/2 miles of paved trails, weave through the preserve. Fishing is allowed from the bridge over the dam and handicap accessible pier. The park features a number of amenities including two picnic areas with grills, shelter with electric service, enclosed education building available for rent, newly installed playground and modern bathrooms.

Nordic skiers can enjoy the Balsam Branch Ski Trail groomed for classic and skate-skiing. This 10-mile recreation trail crosses the D.D. Kennedy Environmental Area, the Garfield Recreation Area and Lake Wapogasset Bible Camp. The trail is also available for snowshoeing and hiking on the portion of the trail that is not groomed for cross-country skiing.

For more information, call 715-485-9294. From St. Croix Falls going east on US-8, take a right on 150th Street, left on 120th Avenue, and a right onto Kennedy Mill Avenue. From Amery going north on Highway 46, take a left on Cty. Rd. H, take a left on 120th Avenue, and then a left onto Kennedy Mill Avenue. Or set your GPS to 1459 Kennedy Mill Avenue.

© Dean S. Acheson

Farm Table Supports A Better Food System

In the fertile fields of Polk County, there is a growing movement that supports sustainable farming practices and locally sourced food products. Known as farm-to-table, the results are showing up in farmer markets throughout the county, as well as in local restaurants, most notably Farm Table Restaurant in Amery.

The restaurant serves lunch and dinner, including their popular Friday fish fry. The made from scratch kitchen features a seasonal menu. The menu is vegetarian friendly, with vegan and gluten free options. They offer hand-made bakery items, craft cocktails and beer. During the warmer months, enjoy dining and drinks in the garden patio.

Farm Table Restaurant is an outreach of the Farm Table Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports local farms working to rebuild soil, protect groundwater, and practice humane animal management. The Foundation promotes a basic tenet: How we feed ourselves matters.

Farm Table brings local farm produce and proteins direct to consumers. Farm Table purchases 80% or more of its ingredients from sustainable farms within 50 miles during peak season. They preserve produce in summer, pickling and freezing, for use as winter menu items. Local farms keep traditional storage crops -- cabbage, carrots, potatoes, onions and winter squash -- cellared, helping Farm Table pursue its goal of serving local foods all year round.

Their art gallery features works by local artists. The restaurant is located at 110 Keller Avenue N; telephone 715-268-4500; Farmtablefoundation.org. Visit them to learn more about how soil health, seasonality and craft cooking make a difference.

Try the Tasty Treats at Z-Orchard

When you’re looking around Polk County for attractions to visit, you should not overlook Z-Orchard, located near Amery in the heart of the St. Croix River Valley. There, you will find some 130 apple trees of various varieties, hundreds of maple trees (over 1,500 taps at last count), and local honey production. It’s open seasonally for harvest sales and special events.

The Amery Schools and home schoolers have regular field trips to Z-Orchard in the spring and the fall. “It’s rewarding to teach people where their food comes from,” says owner Bill “Apple Bill” Zager. Younger kids also get a kick out of the “Bee Train” barrel rides during their special events.

Apples are great for munching and making into pies and apple crisps, but it’s the bee yard – officially called an apiary – that draws kids like, well, bees to honey! The bees help pollinate all those apple trees, as well as producing raw honey for sale. Zager now has more than a dozen hives and thousands of bees. During the “honey open house” in July, visitors can view a honey harvesting demonstration and look at a beehive (without the bees). They kick off the season with an open house on the first weekend of April with the Northwest Wisconsin Maple Farm Tour and then are open on scheduled weekends, and by chance or appointment throughout the maple syrup season. Look for the steam coming out of the sugar shack! It’s a delight to walk the one mile through sugar bush that takes you to the Stower Seven Lakes State Trail.

In addition to the above, you won’t want to miss purchasing some CarMapleCorn – kettle corn with caramelized maple syrup, along with fresh apple cider and Guth’s Candy treats. Another Z-Orchard specialty is their own maple cream. Make sure you try a sample of this pure maple product with a butter consistency and is a customer favorite. Come fall, it’s time for apple harvesting and pumpkin picking. In addition, there’s a great variety of squash and watermelons to “thump” for ripeness. They also have wooden toys made by a real Grandpa!

Z-Orchard is located at 654 115th Street, Amery. Check the website, Z-orchard.com, and Facebook for store hours and special events, including the annual Pumpkin Extravaganza.