MADISON – Senator and State Building Commission Member André Jacque (R-De Pere) announced the Commission today approved over $2 million in repairs to approximately eight miles of roadway in Peninsula State Park in Door County, as well as grants to improve the Fox River Trail and Whitefish Dunes State Park.
“Today, promoting outdoor recreation is more important than ever,” said Sen. Jacque, who was appointed to the Commission at the start of 2021. “I appreciate my fellow members for recognizing the need to upgrade the 1960’s-era roads at Peninsula State Park and the importance of maintaining public access to the natural environmental features that make our area so unique in Wisconsin.”
The construction project will pulverize the existing roadway, overlay the roadway with asphalt, and install pavement markings and traffic control, as well as other work necessary to replace the road pavement, according to the funding request submitted by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
“Safe, efficient transportation is important everywhere, especially at a destination as popular as Peninsula State Park,” Sen. Jacque said. “These road improvements will enhance access to the attractions at the park and hopefully foster continued recovery of the tourism sector, which is so vital to our area economy.”
Sen. Jacque said the Building Commission also approved grant project funding to two area “Friends” groups that support state parks and wildlife areas in Brown and Door Counties:
- Fox River State Trail (Brown County): Trail Reconstruction and Culvert Replacement (Phase I) – $20,000
- Whitefish Dunes State Park (Door County): Old Baldy Boardwalk Improvement – $6,516
“Friends” and other non-profit organizations “adopt” state recreation properties in their area – such as parks, trails and wildlife areas – and donate their time and money to improve them. Local Friends groups leverage Stewardship funds (up to a maximum of $20,000 annually) with private donations for projects such as piers, signage and harbors. At the same time, these local initiatives must preserve the environmentally-sensitive lands, waters, and habitats on which outdoor recreation activities depend.
“I especially commend our Friends groups for their efforts to improve our public park properties so that more of us may enjoy them for years to come,” Sen. Jacque said. “These community volunteers do outstanding work that preserves these areas for generations to come.”
Senator André Jacque represents Northeast Wisconsin’s First Senate District, consisting of Door and Kewaunee Counties and portions of Brown, Calumet, Manitowoc, and Outagamie counties.
