An estimated $1 billion worth of repairs needed across the system
MADISON, Wis. – As Wisconsin celebrates the 125th anniversary of its state parks system, state legislators have negotiated parts of the state’s next budget, which was due to be submitted on Monday. Not included in negotiations was Gov. Tony Evers’ proposal to return park funding to the budget for repairs to the state’s parks, forests, recreation areas and trails.
In 2015, resources for the state park system were cut from the legislature-approved budget. In the decade since, an estimated $1 billion worth of maintenance has been deferred due to a lack of resources. Nearly 20 million people visited Wisconsin’s state parks, forests and trails in 2024, leading to natural wear and tear resulting from consistent use at the sites where visitors hunt, fish, bike, camp and more.
This summer, canvassers with Wisconsin Environment have been knocking on thousands of doors across the Madison and Milwaukee areas to build public support and collect petition signatures to urge the state legislature to fund Wisconsin’s state parks.
In response to the budget negotiations, Wisconsin Environment Campaign Director Alex Yankovsky released the following statement:
“Parks across Wisconsin’s system are in danger of falling apart with crumbling and outdated infrastructure: cracked sewers, collapsing roads and trails unable to be maintained. Without an infusion of resources to keep up with increasing visitor numbers, we’re in danger of loving our parks to death.
“Our parks are a huge part of what makes Wisconsin such a great place to live in, and across our many conversations the public has made it abundantly clear that we need to protect our state’s nature. Our state legislators should support Gov. Evers’ proposed funding for the parks budget, work to find a permanent solution to fund our state parks. They should also renew the popular Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, which has supported parks and nature programs in Wisconsin since 1989. Private donations and grants won’t be enough to restore our parks to the levels that they and Wisconsinites deserve.”
