Damakant Jayshi
Marathon and Lincoln Counties are working together to develop a new recreational trail between Wausau and Merrill, a plan that is still in the early stages.
The approximately 25-mile trail along the Wisconsin River could become part of Segment 18 of the state’s Trails Network Plan, developed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Stretching from Tomahawk to Wisconsin Dells, the trail runs through other counties and intersperses with other trails. Wausau and Marathon County Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department and Lincoln County Forestry, Land and Parks Department officials are responsible for the recreational trail path that connects them.
Officials are still in the exploration phase and working on developing a master plan.
Wausau and Marathon County Parks Director Jamie Polley told Wausau Pilot & Review that the two counties, the DNR and the non-profit River District Development Foundation partnered to put out a Request for Proposals seeking a consultant to look at the corridor.
The entities chose MSA Professional Services to determine if a trail can be built and develop a master plan. Polley said the funding for the corridor master plan comes from the River District Development Foundation.
Officials held public input meetings in Merrill and in Wausau in recent days as part of the planning process.
Dean Bowe, director of the Forestry, Land and Parks Department in Lincoln County told Wausau Pilot that the goal is to include the potential trail in the current state system, similar to the Mountain Bay Trail or Bearskin State Trail, and “actually work to provide an eventual link between the two.”
Polley said the trail design and development are yet to be determined and will depend on the outcome of the study. Officials have identified a potential path, she said. A master plan will be completed in October.
Some aspects including funding sources and land acquisition could be a challenge since some of the land is privately-owned.
Bowe said if a landowner is willing to allow the recreational trail to cross their property and if enough properties can be linked together to create a viable trail, an agreement would be made with the landowner to either purchase the property or obtain an easement for the trail. Both Polley and Bowe emphasized that if a landowner does not want the trail through their property, officials will try to identify a different corridor if possible.
“If there is no other option the trail will not proceed,” Polley said.
Officials said the study that the MSA is conducting will provide them with a cost estimate for the trail. If it becomes a state trail, there would be funding available from the state for some portions, Polley said.
Bowe said the question of funding by the counties is “better asked down the road if a suitable trail corridor can be located and if agreements with landowners can be made and if a suitable construction plan is approved.” He said the plan is to fund the trail through donations and grants. That might mean the trail construction takes place in segments as money is raised.
“I cannot speak to whether or not Lincoln County will be able to contribute actual dollars to the construction of the trail if or when construction could take place,” Bowe said.
