$305,350 DNR grant would add bridge, improve trail at Glen Hills County Park
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By LeAnn R. Ralph
HUDSON — The St. Croix County Board has approved applying for a $305,350 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources grant to install a boardwalk and snowmobile bridge to cross Beaver Creek and improve a walking trail at Glen Hills County Park.
The county board unanimously approved the resolution at the May 7 meeting to apply for the 80/20 DNR grant that would require St. Croix County to contribute $61,070 toward the project.
If the grant is awarded, the DNR would pay $244,280 toward the project, according to background information included with the resolution.
Existing funds in the 2024 Capital Improvement Plan and in the regular budget would pay for St. Croix County’s portion of the project, so the county board would not have to approve allocating additional money if the grant is awarded, said Ken Witt, county administrator.
The St. Croix County Community Development Department is applying for the grant to improve an existing snowmobile and foot traffic trail at Glen Hills County Park, according to the background information.
The existing trail allows park users to walk from the day-use side of the park to the campground side of the park, but the existing trail is so narrow, that grounds and maintenance equipment cannot use the trail.
The grant would supply money to widen the existing trail to eight to 10 feet with a gravel surface and would include new signs to direct users.
In addition, the project would install a boardwalk and a snowmobile bridge to cross Beaver Creek.
Making the walking trail wider and installing a gravel surface would improve the safety of staff who are working to maintain the park by allowing maintenance equipment to move from one side of the park to the other without having to travel down Rustic Road 3.
Pedestrian and bicycle traffic also would have improved access from the day use side of the park and the beach.
The bridge would improve the snowmobile crossing for Beaver Creek.
If the DNR awards the grant to St. Croix County for the Glen Hills County Park Lakeside Trail project, construction would be expected to begin in early 2025 and would be completed by sometime in mid-summer, according to the background information included with the resolution.
According to the resolution, St. Croix County has a perpetual lease from the Wisconsin Conservation Commission to operate the 700-acre Glen Hills County Park that opened in 1974.
Deputy Leising
In additional business, the St. Croix County Board unanimously approved a resolution honoring Deputy Kaitlin Leising, who was shot to death just outside of Glenwood City on May 6, 2023.
The resolution encourages all residents to take a moment to reflect on Deputy Kaitlin Leising’s legacy of service and to express gratitude for the brave men and women who serve in law enforcement agencies across the nation.
A copy of the resolution will be presented to the family of Deputy Leasing as a token of the St. Croix County Board of Supervisors deepest sympathy and utmost respect.
