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Fox River Water Trail
Village staff are members of the Core Development Team (CDT), working with the Fox River Ecosystem Partnership in Illinois, the Southeast Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC), Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, the Rock River Trail Initiative, and the National Park Service to develop the WI-IL Fox River Water Trail which will run 220 miles from Waukesha County to Ottawa, Illinois. The group received a technical assistance grant from the National Park Service's Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program for assistance in the trail development.
The Village held a ribbon-cutting celebration for the new canoe/kayak launches which allow for safe and easy portage around the Waterford and Rochester dams, the two major impediments on the Fox River in Wisconsin. This was a joint project with Racine County, which owns Case Eagle Park where the launches in Rochester are located. The project was possible because of grant funding - $86,000 through a Stewardship grant from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and $40,000 from the Racine Community Foundation. The total project cost was just over $208,000, with the balance paid for by the Village and County for their respective launches.
The CDT will soon be looking to individuals and communities along the Fox River for assistance in collecting data on access points, amenities, hazards, and more along the river for the purposes of mapping the trail and following the best practices of the National Park Service for water trail development with a goal of seeking national designation as a water trail.
WI-IL Fox River Trail
Mission Statement
The mission of the WI-IL Fox River Water Trail Core Development Team is to develop and support a sustainable 223-mile water trail along the Fox River.Goals
1. Develop the WI-IL Fox River Trail Action Plan using the National Water Trail
System's best management practices and guidance.
a. Conduct an evaluation of access sites and locations for existing conditions
and do a gap analysis to identify where new access points may be needed.
b. Develop the WI-IL Fox River Water Trail map, website, signage with
information on access points, dams and other hazards, trip times, points of
interest, resources, and historical, cultural and natural features.
c. Complete and submit a application for national designation in the National
Water Trail System.
d. Support the enhancement and development of access sites for all abilities
as needed.
2. Develop and promote an education component that recognizes the geologic and
human history of the river and communities along the river, the cultural features,
natural resources, and wildlife that visitors will encounter.
3. Protect and advocate for the environment and water quality of the Fox River and
a program of promoting the Fox River environment and features.
4. Design a public planning process to engage communities and other stakeholders
to develop and sustain the water trail.
5. Identify a sustainable oversight partnership to guide water trail implementation,
including programming, maintenance, and promotion.
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Jonathan Delagrave, Racine County Executive
Delagrave addresses the group attending the ribbon-cutting for the official opening of launches on the Fox River. Racine County, a partner in the project, funded launches at Case Eagle Park.
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Cathy Stepp, WI Department of Natural Resources Secretary
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, through a Stewardship grant, provided over $86,000 toward the $208,000 project.
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Angie Tornes, National Park Services, Water Trail Advisor
Through a technical assistance grant from the National Park Service's, Tornes, joins the Fox River Trail's Core Development Team in developing a bi-state water trail on the Fox River.
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Canoe/Kayak Launch Ribbon Cutting
Guest speakers included Jonathan Delagrave, Cathy Stepp, Sheila Bugalecki, Ken Yunker (SEWRPC), and Kimberly Bruenig, Kenosha County Chair.
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Paddlers come to celebrate the official opening of the new canoe/kayak launches on the Fox River
Paddlers come to celebrate the official opening of the new canoe/kayak launches on the Fox River
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Village President Tom Roanhouse welcomes guests and speakers at ribbon-cutting celebration
Village President Tom Roanhouse welcomes guests and speakers at ribbon-cutting celebration
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20160616_180505
20160616_180505
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Sheila Bugalecki, Racine Community Foundation President
The Racine Community Foundation, through a grant of $40,000, contributed to the Canoe/Kayak launch construction in Waterford and Rochester, around both dams.