MADISON… Senator and State Building Commission member André Jacque (R-New Franken) announced that the Commission today approved $100,000 in matching state DNR Property Development grant funds to enhance state outdoor properties for the 1st Senate District. The $100,000 for the 1st District was part of $500,000 approved statewide, and will match $284,775 in funding already provided by public volunteer state park “Friends” groups. Senator Jacque seconded and voted for the request.
“It’s important to our community and our economy that we maintain and upgrade our Wisconsin outdoor recreational areas in Northeast Wisconsin,” said Sen. Jacque, who was appointed to the Commission at the start of 2021. “I appreciate my fellow members recognizing the need to support these projects, and I was happy to support other projects throughout our state.”
Sen. Jacque said the Commission approved Stewardship matching grants of $20,000 each for five different area “Friends” organizations for improvements at those state properties, including regrading and resurfacing the southern section of the Fox River State Trail in Brown County, the Lime Kiln Trail stairs replacement at High Cliff State Park in Calumet County, the Dark Sky Amphitheater at Door County’s Newport State Park, the outdoor gathering area at the Mountain Bike Trailhead at Peninsula State Park in Door County, and the new accessible playground equipment update at Point Beach State Forest in Manitowoc County.
“Our district receiving nearly a quarter of the $430,877 approved statewide shows how active we are in supporting our natural recreation areas, and how highly we value them,” Sen. Jacque said. “It also highlights the importance of the natural environmental features that make our area so unique in Wisconsin.”
“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 funds from the state budget (up to a maximum of $20,000 annually) with private donations for local initiatives that preserve the environmentally-sensitive lands, waters, and habitats on which outdoor recreation activities depend.
“I commend our Friends groups for their energetic 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 future generations.”
