TRAVEL
RESOURCES
Many hands make happytrails Public-private partnerships help secure access to the outdoors
Nothing beats a sunny afternoon hike with my human and furry companions. Meandering through restored prairie where native blooms dot the greenscape fills us all with joy. When the trail leads us into town, we enjoy the boardwalk along the rambling creek where trout run. We also enjoy the quaint coffee shop where I can get my caffeine fix and Dotty gets her doggie treat. Or sometimes we’ll enjoy a beer and a meal by the water’s edge and marvel at all the smiling people passing by. This little community near the Ice Age National Scenic Trail is a happy happening place because of the valued outdoor spaces and public access to them. The trail attracts visitors who spend their day exploring the area’s natural beauty and looking to build out their itineraries with stops at coffee shops, breweries, gift stores or playgrounds. But the creation of public trails is no small feat. The small segment of the Ice Age Trail I just described took the
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cooperation of both public and private 200 miles across the northern reaches partners to bring it to life. of the state. Beyond Wisconsin, it conThe Ice Age Trail Alliance manages tinues in both directions for a total of over 80 easements and 120 handshake 4,600 miles, stretching from Vermont agreements with private entities grantto North Dakota. ing trail access. To fully complete the Like the Ice Age Trail Alliance, development of the thousand-mile the North Country Trail Association footpath, it will take an estimated manages hundreds of easements and 1,200 private landowner transactions. handshake agreements to ensure trail “The Ice Age Trail access. They estimate 20 to 25 more would not be the Anne Sayers and partnerships are treasure it is today Dottie enjoy hiking needed to complete without the generosithe route in ty of private landown- the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. Wisconsin. ers who are willing to share one of their GENEROUS greatest assets — their FAMILY GIFT land,” said Kevin Thusius, director of Thanks to the land conservation for Thewis family in the Ice Age Trail Mellen, the North Alliance. Country Trail is Wisconsin is forgaining an approxitunate to be home mately 3- to 4-mile to not one, but two critical link. Steve National Scenic Trails Thewis, a third-generation landowner, that draw visitors recalled his fondest from near and far. memories on the The Ice Age Trail family’s property. runs entirely in Wis“My grandfather consin, and the North settled this land and Country Trail spans COURTESY OF ANNE SAYERS
ANNE SAYERS
