Horse trails are closed for the season.
Ski trails - help is needed for trail maintenance. Contact Earl Jewett at 923-2604 or webmaster@kiekhaefer.org.
Bike trails - Bikers do not use trails in wet conditions.
TOWN OF TAYCHEEDAH
PARKS AND RECREATION NEWS
2008 and 2009
have been busy years for Town of Taycheedah parks. Thanks
you to the many donors and volunteers who have improved our
parks and recreational opportunities for town residents.
Kiekhaefer Park News
Kiekhaefer Park
has seen a significant increase in use in recent years.
This unique park offers opportunities for hiking, mountain
biking, geocaching, horseback riding, sledding, cross
country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. Park users
are reminded to be considerate of other users and always
use the park in a manner that respects the land. Please
observe trails closed signs. The Scenic Overlook Wayside
was transferred from state ownership to town ownership
expanding the park with additional picnic facilities.
To provide increased opportunity for the heavily used sled
hills, the park is installing lights near the parking lot.
The lights can be turned by users for 90 minutes and will
not be available after 9:00 PM. A parking lot light will
allow for increased supervision.
A group of cross country skiers headed by Dr. Oliver
Clements is providing cross country ski trail grooming
equipment for the upcoming season. Volunteers are needed
for trail maintenance.
The Orville Schmitz family in recognition of Orville’s
long-time caretaking of Kiekhaefer Park donated Orville’s
Overlook, the observation deck offering panoramic views of
Lake Winnebago. Lyle Nett designed and constructed the deck
with assistance of Gary Morgen, Mike Wirtz and members of
the Parks committee.
A 2008 Leadership Fond du Lac team researched the park
history and erected an historical marker sign by the park
entrance detailing the contribution by Carl Kiekhaefer.
Flyway Signs donated the sign.
Cub Scout pack 3707/Bill Holzbach Pack leader installed 15
additional bluebird houses with DNR supervision. Eagle
Scout candidate Cody Schreiber along with help from Boy
Scout Troop 712, has managed invasive plants in the
prairie, worked on erosion control, and provided nature
information on the sign kiosk. Master Gardener Dustin
Nalley has been helpful in controlling invasive species.
Laura Pierret has provided nature notes in the Kids Korner
section of the kiosk. Bob Roehrig has done a fine job of
creating helpful trail signs.
Kiekhaefer Park –Volunteers
Park users are
asked to donate at least 2 hours every year in park
maintenance. Projects include trail maintenance,
controlling invasive species, erosion control, and litter
pick up. Watch for details posted on the park
kiosk.
Kiekhaefer Park – Trail Users
Trail
conditions will be posted on the Friends of Kiekhaefer Park
website
kiekhaeferpark.org. Observe
trails closed signs.
Mountain
bikers – do not use
trails in wet conditions to prevent erosion. Use only
designated trails.
Horseback
riders – do not use
bridal trails in wet conditions to prevent erosion. Use
only designated trails.
Hikers
and snowshoers - avoid marked
ski trails when snow is present.
Passport to the Ledge
Kiekhaefer Park
is one of eight parks on the Niagara Escarpment that will
be locations for Passport stamps. Young explorers can earn
an n Escarpment Badge by visiting five of the parks and
participate in activities. Details will be available at the
FDL Public Library in mid-winter.
Kiekhaefer Park – Prohibited Activities
Firearms, bows,
paintball guns, and air guns are not permitted at any time.
Hunting and trapping are prohibited.
Overnight camping, fires, and fireworks are not allowed.
Cutting or removal of trees with permit only.
ATV’s and other motor vehicles are prohibited.
Snowmobiles are permitted only on designated trails.
Hermanns Park News
The Rick
Hermanns family donated land and playground equipment for
Hermanns Park at Highway QQ and Hillside Circle. The vacant
property had been an informal playground for neighborhood
children. Laura Pierret and Pam Thielman spearheaded a
fund-raising drive to assist in development of the park
raising over $4,400. The BCI Burke playground equipment has
stations for ages 2-5 and for 5-12. For child safety, the
town right-of-way between Evergreen Court and Sunset Drive
was opened for pedestrians and bikes. Pet owners are
reminded to pick up after pets.
St. Peter 4H under the supervision of Judy Bertram received
a grant to provide plantings by the sign. Adolph and Ginny
Schneider are donating a solar light system to light an
American flag by the park sign. Park donations of materials
or labor were provided by Roger Braun (remove old septic
tank), Mark Mand (excavating), Jim Bertram (excavating,
Ledgeland Landscaping (stone), Mark Schumacher
(landscaping), Nett Construction (5 evergreens), Tim
Preston (tree planting), Jim and Laura Pierret, and Steven
and Pam Thielman families (2 picnic tables), Randy Jacobs
(pavers), St. Peter 4H and Judy Bertram (planting), Boy
Scout Troop 777/Dave Halbach Scoutmaster (planting shrubs).
Rick Mand (poles), Ann Hanson (landscape design), Hermanns
Construction (sandbox digger station).
Please accept
our apologies if we inadvertently omitted any donor or
volunteer. Town of Taycheedah Parks and Recreation
Committee.
Volunteer
help is needed to maintain trails, manage the 7 acre
prairie, and remove invasives like buckthorn and
honeysuckle. Enjoy skiing? Trail maintenance is needed
prior to snowfall.
We are asking all park users to volunteer 2 hours each year
to help maintain the park.
More information: Contact Earl Jewett at 923-2604 or
webmaster@kiekhaefer.org.