DNR FILES
Spectacular Willow Falls stands out as Willow River State Park’s most iconic spot.
BECOMES BEAUTIFUL REALITY 50 YEARS LATER, WILLOW RIVER REMAINS ONE OF THE MOST VISITED WISCONSIN STATE PARKS DOUG KILLIAN
What was once three flourishing hydroelectric dams near Hudson has become one of the busiest parks in Wisconsin. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the popular spot known for its spectacular waterfall views: Willow River State Park.
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wnrmag.com
“It was just prairie, dams and a river when we started laying out the roads, campgrounds, picnic areas and beach,” said Bernie McGaver, who coordinated the park design with then property manager Bill Killian and a team from the Department of Natural Resources. “We could see the potential with the beauty of the falls and natural habitat.” McGaver eventually became area supervisor of five regional park properties — Willow River, Interstate and Kinnickinnic state parks, along with Red Cedar State Trail and Hoffman Hills State Recreation Area. He retired from the DNR in 1990 after a 39-year career, and I was fortunate to interview him about Willow River a few months before he died in April at age 88.
Killian, who happens to be my father, was also among those tasked with developing the former Northern States Power Co. dams and land when he and our family moved there from the smaller Wildcat Mountain State Park near Ontario. Killian had experience developing new recreational properties for the DNR. During his time at Wildcat Mountain, he played a key role in turning 32 miles of nearby abandoned train tracks into the Elroy-Sparta State Trail, which opened in 1965 as the first rails-to-trails project in the nation. Killian and McGaver began the Willow River planning work in earnest in June 1970, and the 2,800-acre Willow River State Park opened to the public in the summer of 1971.
