The Green Circle Trail
Stevens Point, WI
Announcements
Moses Creek Trail closed from November 19-27, 2011
The Moses Creek Trail section of the Green Circle (between Wilshire Dr. and Yulga Park) will be closed from Saturday, November 19th to Sunday, November 27th for the deer gun hunting season. Please use roads to bypass this section of the trail.
Help support your Green Circle Trail, October 12, 2011
The Green Circle annual fund drive is currently underway. The popular trail is funded primarily by generous donations from trail users. Please consider a gift to support and enhance one of the best community trail systems in the world. You can donate online at http://www.cfcwi.org/give/make-a-gift.html. Or download and print the form located here http://www.greencircletrail.org/documents/GC.Ask.letter.2011.pdf and mail it to the address at the bottom. Thank you for your support!
New bridge completed over Moses Creek on University Trail,
September 30, 2011
Schmeeckle Reserve student staff have finished construction of a new 10-foot wide bridge over Moses Creek at the northeast corner of the Reserve. Funding was provided by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, and complements the Moses Creek wetland restoration project completed last fall. Be sure to check out the spectacular view of the wetland from the bridge!
WisCorps crew pruning and brushing trail, October 10-14, 2011
A WisCorps crew will be on the Green Circle the week of October 10th pruning and brushing. They will begin at 8 a.m. on Monday the 10th and will work through the following areas in the following order:
River Pines, Paper Mill, and Plover River Trails repaired and open, Updated August 12, 2011
From August 3-11, Portage County Parks and ConsTrucks repaired several sections of the Green Circle that were damaged in the numerous storms this summer. New granite was added to washout areas and compacted for safety. The Paper Mill Trail also had ditches added along the steep hills to divert water off the trail. A culvert was added near the Whiting wastewater treatment plant where the trail was being washed away. The steep hill nearest the treatment plant had dirt hauled in to widen out the sides and was riprapped to hold everything in place. The River Pines Trail had three new culverts installed with rock to prevent washouts. The sharp curve area near the care center was ditched to divert water.
All trails open after the storm, July 29, 2011
All trails on the Green Circle have now been cleared of trees after a major windstorm flattened hundreds last week. Schmeeckle Reserve (University Trail) was hit especially hard by the storm. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Reserve's student crew, the trail is passable again. Please continue to use caution, as some large hanging branches may come down over the trail in the next few weeks. Ruts and washouts can also be hazardous on other sections of the trail.
University Trail closed due to storm damage, July 19-28, 2011
The University Trail is currently closed due to storm damage. High winds associated with the storm last Tuesday evening flattened hundreds of trees in Schmeeckle Reserve, blocking nearly every trail. Schmeeckle crews have been working diligently to clear trees and branches from the trails and boardwalks as quickly as possible. Large hanging trees and branches over the trails have created dangerous conditions. Please use North Point Drive to bypass Schmeeckle Reserve until further notice. In addition, use extreme caution while on other portions of the Green Circle, especially the Paper Mill Trail where torrential rain has created ruts and washouts.
Tiger Trek proceeds gifted to Green Circle, June 8,
2011
This year, the students at Washington Elementary School selected the Green Circle as the recipient for proceeds from their annual Tiger Trek Fun Run/Walk event (held on May 14). The 2011 Tiger Trek generated $7,250 in revenue, the largest amount in the history of the event. John Buzza, President of the Green Circle board, met with Washington School staff and students on June 8th, and graciously accepted the proceeds on behalf of the trail. For more information about the event, visit here.
New boardwalks installed on the Paper Mill and River Pines Trail Sections,
Spring 2011
Two boardwalks were replaced this spring along the Green Circle. In early April, a 160' long boardwalk on the River Pines Trail was enlarged to 8' wide by members of the Wisconsin Youth Conservation Corps (www.wiscorps.org). On June 1, a narrow bridge on the new Paper Mill Trail (on Village of Whiting land) was replaced with a 30' long boardwalk by Schmeeckle Reserve student staff (www.uwsp.edu/schmeeckle). This is part of a continuing effort to widen boardwalks along the Green Circle to 8', which allows two bike riders to pass each other safely. Several narrow boardwalks are still in place along the trail; please walk your bikes across these boardwalks for the safety of other trail users.
First Green Circle trail kiosk complete!
May 24, 2011
The first trail kiosk along the Green Circle has been constructed at the intersection of the Moses Creek and University Trails, just off of Wilshire Avenue. It features a large map of the entire Green Circle, detailed maps of each trail segment, and panels that interpret the unique natural and cultural history of the area. The kiosk is designed to blend with the landscape and is built with native materials.
The kiosk was funded by the The Aldo Leopold Audubon Society. The base, featuring native sandstone facing, was installed by Mark Check of Check Masonry, Stevens Point. The white pine timbers were cut and supplied by Dr. Bob Govett of UW-Stevens Point. The sign frames were fabricated by Best Exhibits in Baraboo. The signs were produced by Sign Pro in Stevens Point. Schmeeckle Reserve, UW-Stevens Point, coordinated the project, designed the kiosks, and developed the maps and informational signage.
Future kiosks are being planned for each major intersection along the Green Circle. They are part of a wayfinding system that will help visitors easily navigate the trail and discover the heritage of the Stevens Point area.
Click the pictures below to see the kiosk being constructed...
Green Circle Birding Trail now online, January 24, 2011
Sponsored by the Aldo Leopold Audubon Society of central Wisconsin (www.aldoleopoldaudubon.org), the Green Circle Birding Trail highlights the best sections of the trail for observing birdlife. Explore the diversity of habitats and wildlife in 10 different areas along the Green Circle. The website describes each of these areas in detail with photographs of significant birds. Download a Green Circle birding checklist to see how many you can find. Visit www.greencircletrail.org/birding to start your birding journey!
University
Trail and new boardwalks through restored wetland now open, November
30, 2010
The University Trail through Schmeeckle Reserve is now reopened. The trail had been detoured during the Moses Creek Restoration Project. The trail was widened and now has a crushed granite surface through the entire natural area for easier biking. In addition, the trail was rerouted over several new 10-foot wide boardwalks that meander through the restored Moses Creek wetland. Visit frequently to watch the changes as the wetland establishes itself over the next several years. For more information, visit the Moses Creek Restoration Project website.
Moses Creek Trail closed from November 19-27, 2011
The Moses Creek Trail section of the Green Circle (between Wilshire Dr. and Yulga Park) will be closed from Saturday, November 19th to Sunday, November 27th for the deer gun hunting season. Please use roads to bypass this section of the trail.
Help support your Green Circle Trail, October 12, 2011
The Green Circle annual fund drive is currently underway. The popular trail is funded primarily by generous donations from trail users. Please consider a gift to support and enhance one of the best community trail systems in the world. You can donate online at http://www.cfcwi.org/give/make-a-gift.html. Or download and print the form located here http://www.greencircletrail.org/documents/GC.Ask.letter.2011.pdf and mail it to the address at the bottom. Thank you for your support!
 |
|
Schmeeckle student employees put the
final touches on the new Moses Creek bridge. Click here to see a larger version. |
Schmeeckle Reserve student staff have finished construction of a new 10-foot wide bridge over Moses Creek at the northeast corner of the Reserve. Funding was provided by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, and complements the Moses Creek wetland restoration project completed last fall. Be sure to check out the spectacular view of the wetland from the bridge!
WisCorps crew pruning and brushing trail, October 10-14, 2011
A WisCorps crew will be on the Green Circle the week of October 10th pruning and brushing. They will begin at 8 a.m. on Monday the 10th and will work through the following areas in the following order:
- Mainland Meadows- Cedar Street to the bridge (osprey nest)
- McDill Trail-Hoover Avenue to Patch Street
- Brickyard Trail
- Westside Loop-Jackson School to HH
River Pines, Paper Mill, and Plover River Trails repaired and open, Updated August 12, 2011
From August 3-11, Portage County Parks and ConsTrucks repaired several sections of the Green Circle that were damaged in the numerous storms this summer. New granite was added to washout areas and compacted for safety. The Paper Mill Trail also had ditches added along the steep hills to divert water off the trail. A culvert was added near the Whiting wastewater treatment plant where the trail was being washed away. The steep hill nearest the treatment plant had dirt hauled in to widen out the sides and was riprapped to hold everything in place. The River Pines Trail had three new culverts installed with rock to prevent washouts. The sharp curve area near the care center was ditched to divert water.
All trails open after the storm, July 29, 2011
All trails on the Green Circle have now been cleared of trees after a major windstorm flattened hundreds last week. Schmeeckle Reserve (University Trail) was hit especially hard by the storm. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Reserve's student crew, the trail is passable again. Please continue to use caution, as some large hanging branches may come down over the trail in the next few weeks. Ruts and washouts can also be hazardous on other sections of the trail.
University Trail closed due to storm damage, July 19-28, 2011
The University Trail is currently closed due to storm damage. High winds associated with the storm last Tuesday evening flattened hundreds of trees in Schmeeckle Reserve, blocking nearly every trail. Schmeeckle crews have been working diligently to clear trees and branches from the trails and boardwalks as quickly as possible. Large hanging trees and branches over the trails have created dangerous conditions. Please use North Point Drive to bypass Schmeeckle Reserve until further notice. In addition, use extreme caution while on other portions of the Green Circle, especially the Paper Mill Trail where torrential rain has created ruts and washouts.
 |
|
Students from Washington Elementary
School present a check to John Buzza for the Green Circle. Click here to see a larger version. |
This year, the students at Washington Elementary School selected the Green Circle as the recipient for proceeds from their annual Tiger Trek Fun Run/Walk event (held on May 14). The 2011 Tiger Trek generated $7,250 in revenue, the largest amount in the history of the event. John Buzza, President of the Green Circle board, met with Washington School staff and students on June 8th, and graciously accepted the proceeds on behalf of the trail. For more information about the event, visit here.
 |
|
Schmeeckle Reserve student staff
install the decking on a new boardwalk along the Paper Mill
Trail. Click here to see a larger version. |
Two boardwalks were replaced this spring along the Green Circle. In early April, a 160' long boardwalk on the River Pines Trail was enlarged to 8' wide by members of the Wisconsin Youth Conservation Corps (www.wiscorps.org). On June 1, a narrow bridge on the new Paper Mill Trail (on Village of Whiting land) was replaced with a 30' long boardwalk by Schmeeckle Reserve student staff (www.uwsp.edu/schmeeckle). This is part of a continuing effort to widen boardwalks along the Green Circle to 8', which allows two bike riders to pass each other safely. Several narrow boardwalks are still in place along the trail; please walk your bikes across these boardwalks for the safety of other trail users.
 |
|
Newly constructed Green Circle kiosk
off of Wilshire Drive. Click here to see a larger version. |
May 24, 2011
The first trail kiosk along the Green Circle has been constructed at the intersection of the Moses Creek and University Trails, just off of Wilshire Avenue. It features a large map of the entire Green Circle, detailed maps of each trail segment, and panels that interpret the unique natural and cultural history of the area. The kiosk is designed to blend with the landscape and is built with native materials.
The kiosk was funded by the The Aldo Leopold Audubon Society. The base, featuring native sandstone facing, was installed by Mark Check of Check Masonry, Stevens Point. The white pine timbers were cut and supplied by Dr. Bob Govett of UW-Stevens Point. The sign frames were fabricated by Best Exhibits in Baraboo. The signs were produced by Sign Pro in Stevens Point. Schmeeckle Reserve, UW-Stevens Point, coordinated the project, designed the kiosks, and developed the maps and informational signage.
Future kiosks are being planned for each major intersection along the Green Circle. They are part of a wayfinding system that will help visitors easily navigate the trail and discover the heritage of the Stevens Point area.
Click the pictures below to see the kiosk being constructed...
Green Circle Birding Trail now online, January 24, 2011Sponsored by the Aldo Leopold Audubon Society of central Wisconsin (www.aldoleopoldaudubon.org), the Green Circle Birding Trail highlights the best sections of the trail for observing birdlife. Explore the diversity of habitats and wildlife in 10 different areas along the Green Circle. The website describes each of these areas in detail with photographs of significant birds. Download a Green Circle birding checklist to see how many you can find. Visit www.greencircletrail.org/birding to start your birding journey!
 |
|
Visitors enjoy walking on the new
boardwalks through the Moses Creek wetland restoration in
Schmeeckle. Click here to see a larger version. |
The University Trail through Schmeeckle Reserve is now reopened. The trail had been detoured during the Moses Creek Restoration Project. The trail was widened and now has a crushed granite surface through the entire natural area for easier biking. In addition, the trail was rerouted over several new 10-foot wide boardwalks that meander through the restored Moses Creek wetland. Visit frequently to watch the changes as the wetland establishes itself over the next several years. For more information, visit the Moses Creek Restoration Project website.