History

A circle of cooperation among communities, corporations, private land owners and individuals inspired to create a nature trail around the Stevens Point urban area led what has become The Green Circle.

The idea for a trail linking parks with other publicly owned land was conceived by (John Jury), a former Stevens Point Parks and Recreation Commission chair. A group of active community volunteers formed the “Passive Exercise Trail Committee” began meeting weekly in March 1989 to develop a plan. It included Tom Schrader, Dan Trainer and Bill Werner, who was replaced by Jim Rothenbach when Werner moved from the area. Roy Menzel, joined the group and donated proceeds from a book he wrote about Stevens Point to fund the cost of a detailed master plan. George Rogers and Jerry Ernst joined within months.) They adopted the name Green Circle by October 1989. With various skills and tireless commitment, these volunteers became an example of teamwork and cooperation that sparked similar efforts in others. They raised money, negotiated with landowners for use of their property and coordinated placement of the trail.

The trail initially cost $660,000 in 1996 to design and build, not including considerable donated labor and no-cost easements. Funding to create the trail came from many public and private sources. The city of Stevens Point, Portage County, villages of Plover and Whiting contributed. State and federal grants covered about one-third of the cost. Businesses and individuals donated nearly as much.

Members of the Green Circle Committee arranged for easements with private residential and commercial property owners. All agreed to allow a nature trail to cross their land at no cost. Without the generosity and willingness of these 25 property owners, the circle would not be complete.

The Green Circle opened on June 1, 1996, as a 22-mile trail. It has continued to grow and evolve, with several spurs added. The main trail has 14 contiguous segments. Each is named for proximity to geographic or historical landmarks. Click here to explore the segments of the Green Circle.

The Green Circle links Pfiffner Pioneer, Bukolt, Zenoff, Yulga, Whitetail, Hein, Iverson, Plover River and Parkwood parks in Stevens Point, the villages of Whiting and Plover and town of Hull with other publicly owned lands, such as the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point’s Schmeeckle Reserve, a forested preserve, and the Stevens Point wooded well field area. For miles, it follows the scenic Wisconsin and Plover rivers, which are historically significant to the lumber-making pioneer roots of the community. The trail preserves trees, native plants, wetlands and wildlife for current and future generations.

The trail is maintained by Portage County Parks staff, with assistance from Stevens Point Parks and Schmeeckle Reserve staff. Annual donations from individuals and businesses help with land purchases, trail construction and improvements. Litter pickup is done graciously by several adopt-the-trail groups and service clubs. Other volunteers, including the Point Pursuit Mountain Bike Club, assist with answering questions and reporting safety issues on the trail. They are readily identifiable with bright green Hi-Viz wristbands bearing the Green Circle logo.

The trail is used by all ages and ability levels. UW-SP and local schools use the trail as a resource for recreation and education. Children cross the Plover River footbridge as a short-cut to school. A Wisconsin Central Railroad underpass off Patch Street on the city’s east side provides a safe, legal crossing for walkers and bikers. In Plover, a spur links with the Tomorrow River Trail, a 25-mile trail to the east along an abandoned railroad grade.

The Green Circle has received state and federal recognition. In 1993, it received an award from the National Park Service for outstanding cooperative effort. National Park officials consider it one, and perhaps the only, trail system to completely encircle a community. State agencies refer to it as model for trail development. In 2003, the Green Circle received a Great Lakes Partnership Award from the National Parks and Recreation Association.