marathon county comprehensive outdoor … · bettye nall robert wiesman william gamoke jim...

MARATHON COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE OUTDOOR RECREATION PLAN JANUARY, 2007

— County Board —

Keith Langenhahn, Chair Gary Wyman, Vice-Chair Jim Rosenberg James Seefeldt John Robinson Jim Brezinski Gary Gisselman Joanne Leonard Kenneth Day Karen Kellbach Ted Tellekson David Nutting Thomas Wohlfahrt Ed Gale Kelly Michaels-Saager Sharon Hunter Ken Fabel Elroy Zemke Vilas Machmueller Mark Maloney

Barbara Ermeling Daniel Minter Roger Zimmermann Phil Cieslek Jean Maszk Frank Zebro James Eick Alan Kraus Bettye Nall Robert Wiesman William Gamoke Jim Luetschwager Kurt Gibbs John Small Richard Gumz Keith Langenhahn Karen Piel Gina Cornell Laverne Grunenwald

— Wausau/Marathon County Park Commission — Gary Wyman, President Ed Gale, Vice-President Don Christianson Gary Gisselman

DuWayne Herning Robert Wiesman Elroy Zemke

— Forestry, Recreation, and Zoning Committee — Elroy Zemke, Chair James Seefeldt, Vice-Chair James Eick Laverne Grunenwald John Small Prepared under the direction of the Wausau and Marathon County Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department, William Duncanson, Park Director.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Page I. PREFACE..................................................................................................................... 1 - 1 Introduction................................................................................................................... 1 - 1 Definitions..................................................................................................................... 1 - 1 Passive Use Area............................................................................................... 1 - 1 Active Use Area................................................................................................ 1 - 2 Land Based Recreation ..................................................................................... 1 - 2 Water Based Recreation.................................................................................... 1 - 2 Service Areas .................................................................................................... 1 - 2 Play Structure.................................................................................................... 1 - 2 Urban Forestry .................................................................................................. 1 - 3 Environmental Corridor .................................................................................... 1 - 3 Multi-purpose Trail System .............................................................................. 1 - 3 Open Play Area ................................................................................................. 1 - 3 Municipal Parks ............................................................................................................ 1 - 3 Mini-Parks - Tot Lots........................................................................................ 1 - 3 Neighborhood Parks.......................................................................................... 1 - 3 Sub-neighborhood Parks................................................................................... 1 - 3 Community Parks.............................................................................................. 1 - 4 Urban Greenspace/Open Space Parks/Conservancy Parks............................... 1 - 4 Single/Special Purpose Park Facilities.............................................................. 1 - 4 County Parks................................................................................................................. 1 - 4 County Forest Lands ..................................................................................................... 1 - 5 State Parks..................................................................................................................... 1 - 5 II. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES ....................................................................................... 2 - 1 Overall Goal (Mission Statement) .................................................................... 2 - 1 III. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE COUNTY.............................................. 3 - 1 Location ............................................................................................................ 3 - 1 Geology............................................................................................................. 3 - 1 Topography....................................................................................................... 3 - 2 Soils................................................................................................................... 3 - 3 Vegetation ......................................................................................................... 3 - 3 Climate.............................................................................................................. 3 - 4 Water Resources ............................................................................................... 3 - 5 Wildlife ............................................................................................................. 3 - 8 Fishery............................................................................................................... 3 - 8 IV. DEMOGRAPHICS......................................................................................................... 4 - 1 Historical Trends............................................................................................... 4 - 1 Regional Growth............................................................................................... 4 - 2 Racial Composition........................................................................................... 4 - 2

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Age Distribution................................................................................................ 4 - 4 Population Forecasts ..................................................................................................... 4 - 4 Population Forecasts by Sub-Area................................................................................ 4 - 5 Education and Income Levels....................................................................................... 4 - 6 Employment Characteristics ......................................................................................... 4 - 7 Demographic Trends..................................................................................................... 4 - 8 V. SUITABILITY ANALYSIS......................................................................................... 5 - 1 VI. EXISTING RECREATION LANDS ........................................................................... 6 - 1 County Parks................................................................................................................. 6 - 2 Amco Park ........................................................................................................ 6 - 2 Ashley Park....................................................................................................... 6 - 2 Big Eau Pleine Park .......................................................................................... 6 - 2 Big Rapids Park ................................................................................................ 6 - 2 Bluegill Bay Park.............................................................................................. 6 - 2 Cherokee Park................................................................................................... 6 - 3 D.C. Everest Park.............................................................................................. 6 - 3 Dells of the Eau Claire Park.............................................................................. 6 - 3 Marathon Park................................................................................................... 6 - 3 Mission Lake Park ............................................................................................ 6 - 4 Reitbrock Geographical Marker ....................................................................... 6 - 4 Rib Falls Park.................................................................................................... 6 - 4 Duane L. Corbin Shooting Range Park............................................................. 6 - 5 Sunny Vale Park ............................................................................................... 6 - 5 Sunny Vale Softball Complex .......................................................................... 6 - 5 Trappe River Dells Park.................................................................................... 6 - 5 Wisconsin River Park ....................................................................................... 6 - 5 County Forest Lands ................................................................................................... 6 - 10 Bern Wetland .................................................................................................. 6 - 15 Burma Road .................................................................................................... 6 - 15 Hewitt-Harrison .............................................................................................. 6 - 15 Kronenwetter................................................................................................... 6 - 15 Leather Camp.................................................................................................. 6 - 15 Nine Mile Forest ............................................................................................. 6 - 15 Ringle Marsh................................................................................................... 6 - 16 Elderon............................................................................................................ 6 - 16 Easton Property............................................................................................... 6 - 16 Wisconsin River Unit...................................................................................... 6 - 16 County Recreation Trails ................................................................................ 6 - 16 State Recreation Areas............................................................................................... 6 - 18 Ice Age National Scenic Trail......................................................................... 6 - 18 Mountain Bay State Park Trail ....................................................................... 6 - 18 Rib Mountain State Park................................................................................. 6 - 18 McMillan Marsh ............................................................................................. 6 - 18

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Mead Wildlife Area ........................................................................................ 6 - 19 Plover River Public Fishing Grounds ............................................................. 6 - 19 Local Recreation Areas............................................................................................... 6 - 19 Recreation Opportunity Spectrum .............................................................................. 6 - 20 Primitive.......................................................................................................... 6 - 20 Semi-Primitive Non-Motorized ...................................................................... 6 - 20 Semi-Primitive Motorized .............................................................................. 6 - 21 Roaded Natural ............................................................................................... 6 - 21 Roaded Modified ............................................................................................ 6 - 21 Rural................................................................................................................ 6 - 21 Urban............................................................................................................... 6 - 21 VII. RECREATION NEEDS ANALYSIS.......................................................................... 7 - 1 VIII. RECREATION LAND NEEDS .................................................................................. 8 - 1 Recreation Acreage Requirements............................................................................... 8 - 1 Recreation Service Area Requirements ....................................................................... 8 - 2 Future Residential Growth Areas................................................................................. 8 - 2 Future Park Locations .................................................................................................. 8 - 3 IX. RECREATIONAL AREA NEEDS............................................................................. 9 - 1 SCORP Analysis.......................................................................................................... 9 - 1 X. RECREATION FACILITY NEEDS .......................................................................... 10 - 1 Recreation Facility Design Standards......................................................................... 10 - 1 Recreation Facility Needs ........................................................................................... 10 - 1 XI. MARATHON COUNTY RECREATION ISSUES................................................... 11 - 1 Water Based Recreation.............................................................................................. 11 - 1 Jurisdictional Roles.................................................................................................... 11 - 3 Conservancy............................................................................................................... 11 - 5 Trail Development ..................................................................................................... 11 - 5 ATV Trails ....................................................................................................... 11 - 6 Mountain Biking Trails.................................................................................... 11 - 6 Lighted Cross-Country Ski Trails.................................................................... 11 - 6 Historic Park Facilities................................................................................................ 11 - 7 Intergovernmental Coordination................................................................................. 11 - 7 County Forest Land Acquisition.................................................................................. 11 - 8 Multiple Use of County Forest Lands.......................................................................... 11 - 8 County Forest Programming and Operations .............................................................. 11 - 8 User Conflicts and Maintenance of Quality Hunting Opportunities ............... 11 - 8 XII. SUMMARY OF NEEDS ............................................................................................. 12 - 1 Acreage Needs ............................................................................................................. 12 - 1 Service Area Needs...................................................................................................... 12 - 1

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State, Regional, or County Quantitative Recreational Study Needs............................ 12 - 1 Facility Needs .............................................................................................................. 12 - 2 Marathon County Recreation Needs............................................................................ 12 - 2 XIII. PROPOSED ACTION PLAN...................................................................................... 13 - 1 Introduction.................................................................................................................. 13 - 1 County-wide Improvements......................................................................................... 13 - 2 Improvement Program for Individual Parks ................................................................ 13 - 8 Improvement Program for Individual County Forest Units....................................... 13 - 12

LIST OF TABLES page 1. Demographic Change, 1970-2000 4 - 1 2. Components of Total Population Change, Marathon County and Selected Counties, 1990 2000 4 - 3 3. Racial Composition, 1990 and 2000 4 - 3 4. Population by Age Group, 2000 4 - 4 5. Population Projections (NCWRPC), 2000-2030 4 - 5 6. 2030 Population Projections 4 - 5 7. Education Attainment, 1990 and 2000 4 - 6 8. Household Income Levels 4 - 7 9. Occupation by Sector, Marathon County, 2000 4 - 7 10. Existing Facilities - County Parks 6 - 9 11. Existing Facilities - County Forests 6 - 11 12. Marathon County Forest Management Units 6 - 12 13. County Recreation Facilities Managed by County Parks and Forestry Department 6 - 13 14. County Recreation Facilities Managed by County Parks and Forestry Department (Summary) 6 - 14 15. Marathon County Selected Municipal Park Systems (Summary) 6 - 19 16. Marathon County County Parks and Forests 8 - 3 17. Marathon County Acreage Needs County Parks and Forests Only 8 - 4 LIST OF MAPS 1. Location Map 3 - 1 2. Geomorphic Regions of Wisconsin 3 - 2 3. Surface Water 3 - 7 4. County Park Locations 6 - 7 5. County Park Service Area 6 - 8 6. County Forest Locations 6 - 17 LIST OF APPENDIXES A. ROS System A-1

Marathon County Preface

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I. PREFACE Introduction As the demand for outdoor recreation opportunities continues to grow throughout the country, Marathon County has taken the proper steps to create a solid recreational base. Through the development and periodic updates of a Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (CORP), Marathon County has recognized the importance of providing quality recreational opportunities to its residents. Recreational needs and the opportunity for a wide range of recreational experience can only be met by properly located sites convenient to potential users and possessing the natural characteristics appropriate to their intended functions. Providing these facilities has become an accepted responsibility of all government levels - local, county, state, and federal. The increasing demand for outdoor recreation has produced two problems of concern for local government officials: 1. The need to maintain existing facilities and provide additional facilities to meet and satisfy the growing demand for recreational activities. 2. The need to provide recreational facilities in a manner compatible with a limited natural

resource base. To deal with these concerns and provide facilities in a cost effective manner, planning is an integral element in identifying and meeting the community’s needs. The acceptance of this Plan by the County Board and subsequently, by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, will enable Marathon County to be eligible for the next five years to pursue funding through the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund Program (LAWCON), the State Acquisition and Development of Local Parks Program (ADLP), the new State Stewardship Program, and other state grant and aid programs. Definitions In order to more clearly understand this Plan, it becomes necessary to define certain terms as they are used in the context of this report. Passive Use Area An area primarily designed for picnicking, passive trail use (e.g., hiking), hunting, fishing, etc. and other non-organized recreation activities. This type of facility often emphasizes natural settings and de-emphasizes active recreation facilities.


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Active Use Area An area designed primarily for organized or non-organized active recreation of one or more age groups. This type of design may have, as its primary feature, playfields, playground apparatus, ballfields, active trail use (e.g., ATV use, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing), ball courts or a combination thereof. Land Based Recreation Those activities which can be participated in without the requirement of recreational water supply. Camping, hiking, picnicking, and field sports are examples of land based recreation. Water Based Recreation Those activities requiring the availability of a recreational water supply. Swimming, fishing, boating, waterskiing, and ice skating are examples of water based recreation. Service Areas The zone of influence of park or recreation service areas are usually determined by the average distance users are willing to travel to reach a facility. Although usually expressed in terms of service radius, it must be remembered that features such as major traffic arteries and rivers influence the distance users must travel. Also, a park or recreation area may be unique in the county or region and will therefore extend the zone of influence of that facility to the entire county or region. Where service areas are not influenced by the other factors, the zone of influence is generally considered as follows: - Mini parks (tot lots) 1/8 to 1/4 mile radius - Neighborhood parks 1/4 to ½ mile radius - Community parks 1 mile radius - Municipal/special purpose park encompasses entire municipality - County parks 30 minute travel time * - County special purpose park encompasses entire county/region - County forest encompasses entire county/region - County conservancy park N/A - Countywide trail system encompasses entire county/region * See specific park type definition for explanation of park/facilities, service areas,

and recommended acreage. Play Structure A play system which incorporates a variety of functions such as slides, climbing bars, suspended platforms, and railing interconnected in one unit. Structures are usually sized for preschool and elementary users with structure height and apparatus complexity being the determining criteria.


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Urban Forestry Urban forestry is the establishment and maintenance of trees, shrubs, and turf on publicly owned land and the regulation of trees, shrubs, and turf on privately owned land within the community. Environmental Corridor A defined area, usually oriented in a linear pattern along a river or lake, that contains a high concentration of environmentally significant features (plant species, wildlife, land forms, water features, etc.). Multi-purpose Trail System A recreational system of trails in a community that affords a variety of uses to a wide segment of the community throughout the year (e.g. hiking, bicycling, jogging, cross-country skiing, etc.). Multi-purpose trail systems typically contain barrier free, hard surface segments that are handicap accessible. Open Play Area Large turf area usable for a variety of organized or unorganized field sports, such as softball, soccer, football, frisbee, etc. Municipal Parks Municipal parks are designed primarily to serve residents within the municipal boundary. There are six specific municipal park types. Mini-Parks - Tot Lots Mini-parks provide open space for passive and some active recreation opportunities within a limited walking distance of primary users. The service area is confined to a sub-neighborhood level from 250-1250 persons within a 1/8 mile radius. Average area size ranges from 1000 sq. ft. to one acre. Neighborhood Parks Neighborhood parks are designed to provide both active and passive short-term recreation activities. The primary user ranges from 5 to 15 years of age. However, informal recreation opportunities cater to groups of all ages. The service area of one-quarter mile radius includes the entire neighborhood, with some neighborhood overflow if features are unique. The average neighborhood park serves from 500 to 2500 population; basically one for every elementary school. Neighborhood parks commonly range from 5-10 acres in size. Sub-neighborhood Parks Sub-neighborhood parks are mini-parks that exhibit several characteristics of neighborhood parks, but have restrictions that preclude them from being classified as bona-fide neighborhood


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parks. Sub-neighborhood parks are usually one to two acres in size and have some recreation facilities typically found in neighborhood parks. These facilities usually attract park users from a one-quarter to one-half mile service radius and therefore have a higher utilization rate. Community Parks This type of park is designed to serve several neighborhoods while minimizing park travel distance. Though community parks are designed to accommodate all age groups, most activities cater to the active recreation needs of junior/senior high school students and adults. Although size is not always a sound criterion for classifying parks, it is generally recognized that community parks are more spacious than neighborhood parks or playgrounds. Community parks have an effective service radius of 1 mile and can serve from 2500 to 20,000 population. Most community parks have an average size of between 20-35 acres. Urban Greenspace/Open Space Parks/Conservancy Parks In addition to providing numerous recreational experiences, these types of parks can protect environmental quality and act as land use buffers. They also help break up development congestion and provide aesthetic quality. Most Urban Greenspace/Open Space Parks contain natural areas such as woodlands, floodplains, wetlands, rock outcroppings, and scenic views. Though no set standard exists, several communities use a ratio of 1 acre/1000 population as a basis to project community demand. Single/Special Purpose Park Facilities This type of park facility emphasizes a chief feature or features which are unique to the municipality. Examples of this type of facility include children’s zoos, marinas, fairgrounds, and historical features to mention a few. Due to the varying degree of features these types of parks offer, the age group of users is often widespread. Often the service area of this type of park includes the entire municipality and is sometimes regional as well. No average park size or service area exists. County Parks County parks are designed to provide a wide range of long- and short-term active and passive recreation to several communities and/or municipalities. County parks are designed to accommodate all ages of users, and usually provide a more limited range of recreation opportunities than municipal parks. Most County parks are located in areas with distinctive natural features and provide nature oriented passive outdoor recreation such as fishing, swimming, camping, hiking, and boating. County parks are generally large, usually being 40 to 200 acres in size, and are usually located adjacent to a water body. County parks usually have an effective service radius of about one half hour driving time (30 minutes).


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County parks can also provide unique or specialized recreational opportunities to County residents. Special use County parks may contain specialized facilities such as, all purpose arenas, exposition centers, golf courses, water slides, or other unique facilities. Special use County parks are often highly utilized and financially self sustaining or even profitable. These parks usually service the entire county and do not have an effective service radius or average park size. Finally, County conservancy parks usually contain high quality natural, cultural, or historic resources. Conservancy parks usually have few, passive recreation facilities, and no active recreation facilities. Generally, these parks usually contain only parking lots, trail systems, and interpretive signs. County conservancy parks do not have an effective service radius or average park size. County Forest Lands County forest lands are designated by policy to provide for multiple use of their resources. In addition to timber and wildlife management, County forest lands provide County residents with a variety of recreation opportunities. County forests can provide a variety of nature related recreational facilities such as hunting, fishing, camping, and various multi-purpose active and passive use trails for year round use. County forests, however, offer few active recreation opportunities such as organized sports, children play areas, or game courts. No average County forest size or service area exists. State Parks State parks are designated and designed to provide recreational facilities in a unique natural setting for a wide range of users. State parks usually are located around a significant natural feature and provide extensive facilities, including: elaborate visitor centers, gift shops, and developed campgrounds. State parks usually have an on-site staff, including a park ranger and maintenance staff. State parks do not have an average size or service radius, but generally can draw users from a local, state, and multi-state area.

Marathon County Goals and Objectives

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II. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES The initial task of preparing the Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, (CORP), is the formulation of a series of goals and objectives which outline the County’s intent through the planning document itself. These goals and objectives will serve as a guide for the County to follow en route to providing a desired County park and forest recreation system. The goals are stated as desirable conditions to strive for in the future. They are common ideals of the County that can be achieved through the actions of government leaders, private organizations, and individual citizens. Objectives specify in greater detail how these desired goals can be achieved. All of the goals and objectives are important. Cumulatively, they form the basis of Marathon County’s overall policy toward recreation development. There is a certain amount of “overlap” and “interrelatedness” among the goals. However, there should not be a conflict between or among the goals and objectives. Together, they provide a basis for establishing County policy regarding the planning, acquisition, and future development of park and forest recreation facilities in Marathon County. The goals and objectives listed below are not prioritized, nor do they represent a specific project’s feasibility. Specific recreation activity and recommendations will be addressed in more detail by the analysis provided in the Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan itself. Overall Goal (Mission Statement) To provide a park and forest recreation system that will meet the needs of our current and future generations, preserve and protect the County’s open space, water, historical, cultural, and natural resources; and provide recreation opportunities that are designed to enhance the County’s quality of life. 1. Goal: Provide an adequate and suitable park and forest land base for the outdoor

recreational needs of our citizens.

Supporting Objectives:

* Identify and acquire by deed, lease or easement lands needed to meet current demands and future needs based on population projections, recreational trends and demographics:

-General County outdoor space needs for active recreation including campgrounds, boat and canoe launches, trails for bicycling, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, ATV riding, horseback riding, beaches, play areas, play equipment, hunting, fishing, and other possibilities as identified in the County park and County forest definition.


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-Special use needs suitable for County parks and/or County forests including dog trials, target shooting, archery, open sports facilities, model airplane field, golf, alpine skiing, water parks, arenas, fairgrounds, expo center, exhibition buildings, ice rinks, curling rinks, and company picnics.

-Within a 30-minute travel time service area (front door to parking lot).

* Encourage municipalities to require park land dedication for developers.

* Transfer ownership or management of lands and facilities that do not meet the

objectives of County parks and forests to appropriate jurisdictions.

* Identify and acquire by deed, lease, or easement lands needed to create a county-wide, multi-use, multi-seasonal trail system.

2. Goal: Protect the County’s natural, historic, and cultural resources. Supporting Objectives:

* County parks will have no more than 20 percent of their land base developed for active use facilities except for special use parks which may have up to 90 percent of their land base developed for active use facilities.

* Protect parks and forest units from encroachment or degradation by conflicting

land use or activities on adjacent lands.

* Maintain a shoreline stabilization program in areas subject to erosion from waves, current or recreational use.

* Facility design, construction and operations should protect the natural resources.

Potentially adverse impacts will be mitigated to the extent possible while providing recreational opportunities in natural appearing settings.

* Protect environmentally sensitive and historically significant areas from “active”

recreation development.

* Protect lands that are scientifically, historically, or environmentally significant by purchase, lease or easement.


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3. Goal: Maintain all park and forest facilities according to recognized and acceptable community standards.


* Comply with all applicable health, safety and building codes.

* Provide routine maintenance and cleanliness for all facilities.

* Provide for non-recurring maintenance needs, repairs, and replacements.

* Annually inspect all facilities for safety and maintenance needs.

* Provide the operational support facilities necessary to carry out suitable

maintenance for all park and forest facilities.

* Provide barrier free access where possible. 4. Goal: Recognize and utilize selected County park and forest facilities to generate

revenues from users.


* Use selected park and forest facilities to promote the tourism industry.

* Utilize special park and forest facilities as profit centers to offset the costs of other park operations.

* Use parks and forests to encourage business and industry development by

providing for their employee’s recreational needs.

* Recover the cost of providing services to other County departments and municipalities and government agencies (except technical assistance).

* Recover the cost plus reasonable profit for providing services for special activities

and events to the private sector for things such as organized sports or recreation, marriages, shows, expositions, product demonstrations, and promotional amenities.

* Charge reasonable fees for providing special facilities, a special service, and/or

for which registration or reservations are required. Examples include camping,


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skiing, highly developed trails, reserveable shelters, firewood, boat launching, target shooting, building rentals, and storage.

* Integrate parks and forest information with other tourism promotion groups, i.e.,

Chambers of Commerce, etc.

* Consider for expansion those recreation services which are principally in demand by tourists (campgrounds, water sports, downhill and cross-country skiing, tournament shooting).

5. Goal: Provide information, education and interpretive services to the public concerning

natural resources, park and forest recreation facilities and programs in Marathon County.

Supporting Objectives

* Provide interpretive signing and trails.

* Provide educational and interpretive brochures.

* Provide educational and interpretive programs at parks and forests with

outstanding natural or historic features or campgrounds.

* Continually update maps and brochures that describe park and forest recreation facilities, fees, policies, and barrier free access.

* Make park and forest recreation data available to other distribution services such

as map and travel-guide publishers, Chambers of Commerce, the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, General Telephone, etc.

* Support and/or provide environmental education study areas.

* Make information available at heavily trafficked government offices, parks,

recreation sites and other public information distribution points.

* Provide public information services at public recreation and leisure events such as fairs and trade shows.

* Provide public notification of County park and forest recreation facility and

program operational information including rules, regulations, hours and seasons of operation, event schedules, fees, public meetings, etc.


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* Provide adequate signing to guide the public to park and forest recreation facilities.

* The Park & Visitor Protection Division of the County Park Department will

emphasize their role in providing information to the public. 6. Goal: Cooperate with all units of government, service organizations, and special interest

groups to meet recreational needs.


* Promote the allocation and regulation of water resources to appropriate uses based on safety, demand, physical and social carrying capacity and environmental constraints.

* Recognize and promote opportunities for joint land acquisition and/or facility

development on a cost-sharing basis.

* Provide technical assistance to citizens, municipalities, and other providers of public recreation in Marathon County.

* Encourage the use of existing and future school facilities for public recreational

purposes.

Marathon County Physical Characteristics of the County

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III. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE COUNTY Location Marathon County is located in central Wisconsin, as shown in Map 1, below. It is bordered on the north by Langlade, Lincoln and Taylor Counties; on the west by Clark County; on the south by Wood and Portage Counties; and on the east by Shawano County.

Geology Map 2 illustrates the location of Marathon County in terms of the geomorphic regions of the state. Marathon County lies within the geomorphic region of the state called the “Northern Highland”. This is part of a great upland or highland area that covers the northern portion of Wisconsin northward into Canada. The geologic structure consists of granite and undifferentiated igneous and metamorphic rocks dating back to the Precambrian era. In geologic time, the Precambrian era was the period from the cooling of the earth until about 600 million years ago. Great changes occurred during the geologic periods which followed the Precambrian era. Glacial action left a blanket of various materials covering the landscape. Marathon County was


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covered by glacial till composed of stratified gravel, sand, clay, and boulders. When the glacier receded, the melting ice spread the material over the landscape, thus contributing to the present makeup of the area. Fill spread along the Wisconsin and Rib Rivers provides the major aquifers and sand and gravel deposits in the area. In most of Marathon County, bedrock is very near the surface, and in many cases, forms outcrops. The most notable bedrock formation is Rib Mountain, a resistance quartzite monadock, which rises to 1,940 feet above sea level from a surrounding elevation of about 1,300 feet. Topography The topography of Marathon County is mostly gentle rolling plains, although the central part of the county is more hilly. Elevation in the county varies from a maximum of 1,940 feet above sea level at Rib Mountain to about 1,115 feet above sea level at Lake DuBay. The mean elevation is 1,250-1,500 feet for most of the county, with 1,000-1,250 feet in central and southeastern areas. Glacial till carried into the Wisconsin River at Wausau by the Eau Claire and Rib Rivers has resulted in a gently sloping plain extending from Mosinee north to Wausau, and sporadically


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north from there to the Lincoln County line. The southeastern part of Marathon County has a series of prominent northeast-trending, bouldery till ridges produced by the last advance of ice into the county. Hills in the central part of the county are presumably due to downcutting by the Wisconsin River and its tributaries. In particular, the Rib, Eau Claire, and Eau Pleine River valleys were incised to bedrock due to high discharge during the Pleistocene. At that time these rivers were major drainage-ways for the melting glaciers to the north and east. Soils The soils of Marathon County are primarily derived from the weathering of glacial drift, outwash and bedrock. Specific soil analyses are available where detailed soil surveys have been completed. A detailed soil survey for Marathon County was published in 1990 by the USA Soil Conservation Service. The most critical areas currently needing detailed soil surveys are those areas with a past of potential substantial development of the land resources. (Areas such a residential and industrial development and areas of agricultural intensity.) Site specific developmental projects such as highways, campgrounds, recreational sites, utility construction, and airports are all best served by detailed surveys. Generally, somewhat poorly drained silt loams over acid, compact, stony loam till are more extensive on the gently rolling plains than well drained soils. Intensive fertilization and drainage make these soils productive of forages and small grains. Poor drainage causes problems with roadbeds and sewage disposal. Well drained silty soils are on less extensive plains of outwash sand and gravel. In the central part of the county, reddish-brown sands occur on nearly level, rolling and hilly terrain. They are droughty, acid, low on fertility and easily eroded by wind when bare. Most of the state’s lakes occur in this soil region. In the east and southeast, on the glacial till upland are acid stony sandy loams and loams. Irregular slopes, stoniness, droughtiness, wetness and short growing season limit use of soils in this region for farming. Most soils in the county are suitable for agriculture, however, with the exceptions of the very steep areas and the poorly drained soils. Vegetation The original vegetation of Marathon County consisted primarily of sugar maple, hemlock, yellow birch and pine. These vegetative communities were the result of natural successions influenced by fire and other factors. The present vegetation of the county is primarily pine, oak, maple, and aspen. These species are first stage successional species which have established due to logging. Marathon County also contains significant stands of upland hardwood forests. These upland forests include yellow birch, sugar maple, red and white oak, white pine, basswood, and hemlock. The major forest type in the northeast corner and the southwest corner is the white, red, and jack pine. In the southeast corner the major forest type is the aspen birch, and in the northwest corner and centrally are low land hardwoods such as elm, ash, and cottonwood. Other


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species are found within these areas but are not considered major components of the forest resource in comparison to the former species. In addition to these forest lands, Marathon County also contains a wide variety of wetlands and their associated vegetation, and large agricultural plots. Finally, Marathon County is situated on a “tension zone”. Most of the forests in the northern section of the county are northern hardwoods (sugar maple, yellow birch, basswood) while most of the forests in the southern section are southern hardwood (oaks, red maple). The area where these forest types meet in the central part of the county have diverse vegetation and wildlife. In addition to providing resources for lumber, pulp, and associated industries, these forested lands provide numerous recreation opportunities, habitat for fish and wildlife, and provide a stable environment along streams and in other critical resource areas. Approximately 377,800 acres, or 37 percent of the land in Marathon County, is forested. This percent is just below the state’s 43 percent of forested land. Climate The climate of Marathon County is classified as continental. Typically, the winters are long and cold with snow, with summers warm and short. Extremes in temperature have ranged from 107EF in July, 1936, to -33EF in February, 1936. Annual temperature for most of Marathon County falls between 42E - 46EF, with the southeast corner 44E - 46EF. Mean annual precipitation during the period 1930-1989 averaged 32.76 inches, with approximately 59 percent falling in the five-month period from May through September. The precipitation level for Marathon County is average to above average with the state. Annual snowfall has varied from 17 inches in 1958 to 87 inches in 1959. Seasonal snowfall during the period 1951-1960 averages 50"-60". Ice cover usually forms on lakes in December and becomes quite thick before breakup in late March or early April. The average date of the last freeze in the spring is May 14, and the first in the fall is September 30, resulting in an average growing season of 139 days. Prevailing winds are from the west and northwest in winter and from a southerly direction in summer. Annually, wind speeds will be 3 miles per hour or less 7 percent of the time, from 4 to 15 miles per hour 67 percent and from 16 to 31 miles per hour 25 percent of the time. The climate does allow for ample use of winter recreational facilities and opportunities. Snowmobiling, ski touring, ice fishing, hunting and other winter sports are popular with residents and visitors alike. In fact, the climate should increase the future recreational demand for winterfacilities as more people become participants in winter activities.


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The summer season offers a welcome break in weather for visitors from other states who seek the cooler climate of the north. Thus, the climate is a positive influence on recreation for residents and visitors who use the numerous facilities in the county. Water Resources The character of surface and groundwater features in Marathon County have been strongly influenced by the glacial impact on the terrain. The lakes, many of which lie in kettle holes, vary in depth ranging from less than one foot to a maximum of 34 feet. The combination of these interconnecting streams are characteristic of a glacially arranged drainage system. Also typical of the glacial terrain are the numerous seepage lakes found in Marathon County. This type of lake has no surface outflow and depends on underground movement of water through the highly permeable glacial soils for drainage. The combined surface water resources in Marathon County constitute 202 lakes with a total surface area of 26,303 acres, and 3,748 acres in 256 streams. Seepage lakes are the most common, with 68 percent of the lakes falling in this category. Spring lakes are the next most common lake type comprising 17 percent of the lakes in Marathon County. Drained lakes account for 9 percent of the lakes in the county. Drainage lakes are the least common lake type with only 6 percent of the lakes in this classification, however, they account for 71 percent of the lake acreage. The Big Eau Pleine Reservoir is the largest body of water with 6,830 acres. This reservoir and several granite quarries are deeper than any of the natural lakes in the county. Map 3 shows the surface water characteristics for Marathon County. The Wisconsin River flows south through the county, with its major tributaries flowing to it from the east and west. The Wisconsin River’s major tributaries include the Trappe, Rib, Eau Claire, Little Eau Claire, Plover, Eau Pleine, and Little Eau Pleine Rivers. Major drainageways within the county include the Wisconsin, Eau Pleine, Little Eau Pleine, Rib, Eau Claire, and Plover Rivers. Marathon County lies almost entirely in the Wisconsin River Basin. A small portion of the southeast corner, however, is within the Wolf-Fox River drainage basin. The groundwater reserves, held in aquifers of glacial drift, are adequate in most parts of the county to supply domestic water demands. This glacial drift material composed of sand and gravel allows for rapid percolation and flow of groundwater in most areas. Availability of groundwater varies in Marathon County. In general, groundwater is in good supply in the Plover River watershed and eastward. Other abundant water supplies are found along the Wisconsin River and the lower reaches of its major tributaries. The central part of the county for the most part has a limited groundwater supply because of bedrock being very near the surface.


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Most wetland resources within the county are wooded. Certain wetlands are important for nesting waterfowl and spawning fish, especially northern pike. The Mead and the McMillan Wildlife Areas are the most extensive wetland regions in the county. They are managed by the Department of Natural Resources for wildlife, especially waterfowl. The flowages in these wildlife areas were developed for waterfowl and provide nesting sites for several species of puddle ducks as well as resting and feeding areas for migratory waterfowl. The information needed to determine water quality includes water color, transparency, pH, total alkalinity, chloride concentration, and specific conductance. These criteria are influenced by water source, soils, bedrock, leaching from wetlands, cultural activities and other factors. Chemical, physical, and biological properties such as these provide the information needed to assess the biotic and recreational potential of lakes and streams. In Marathon County, 63 percent of the lakes, comprising 64 percent of the lake acreage, have very soft or soft water and low biological productivity. Streams ranged from very soft to very hard water with 79 percent in the very soft and soft water categories. Most waters in the county are very soft or soft, except in the southeast where there is considerable spring activity, which provides harder water of high biological productivity. Unpolluted water in the county is moderately productive and does not exhibit excessive plant growth. In situations with nutrient runoff, algae and rooted aquatic plants become a nuisance. Two major problems exist in Marathon County, they are: pollution of the Wisconsin River by municipalities and industry, and improper agricultural practices causing nutrient runoff and stream bank destruction. Marathon County has a varied surface water resource offering recreational experiences involving both cold waters and warm water fishing. Waterfowl and fur bearers are also part of the scene. Pollution exists, but the waters involved are not beyond redemption. The shoreland protection ordinance and wild rivers program will hopefully fill the requirements for protection of water quality, wildlife, and aesthetic resources. There are substantial blocks of public and industrial forest lands adjoining waters to help retain essential fish and wildlife habitat as well as aesthetic and wilderness features. The future of this water resource will be contingent upon effective land use controls and management techniques. The abundance of unspoiled land and water in Marathon County is a worthy legacy for future generations. The retention of wildlife features is a trust that only today’s citizen, working with the responsible management agencies, can perpetuate. It will not just happen.

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Wildlife Wild Game, Birds and Mammals Marathon County has two major waterfowl breeding areas. The Mead and McMillan wetland areas were developed for waterfowl and provide homes for several species of puddle ducks and resting and feeding areas for migratory waterfowl. Other game known to nest in the county include woodcock, pheasant, grouse, sharptail grouse, and prairie chicken. Principal fur bearers in the county are beaver, otter, muskrat, fox, coyote, black bear, fisher, and mink. Other small mammals include raccoon, woodchuck, squirrel, and skunk. A wide variety of game species abound throughout the forested regions of the county. Small game species include squirrel (gray and fox), rabbit (snowshoe and cottontail), and raccoon. The County offers hunting enthusiasts an excellent opportunity to pursue big game as well. The most popular species hunted is undoubtedly the white tail deer. Bow season opens in mid-September and runs through the second weekend in November. Gun season for deer traditionally opens the Saturday prior to Thanksgiving and runs for a nine-day period. Bow season reopens December 1 and closes officially December 31. Both seasons traditionally draw a large number of hunters to the county. This is due to the fact that most private and public hunting lands are available to the County’s population bases. Deer harvest totals coincide largely with winter severity and habitat quality. Over the past five years, the County has seen an increase in harvest totals consistent with the state as a whole. Fishery The cold water stream fishery is dominated by brook and brown trout. The majority of the streams in the Plover River watershed have brook and brown trout populations as do most of the streams and spring ponds in the southeastern part of the county. The majority of the warm water streams in the county support primarily forage type fish populations except for larger rivers which have muskellunge, northern pike, largemouth bass, small mouth bass, walleye, carp, and panfish. Walleye is a very popular warm water game fish, but it is found in very few Marathon County lakes. Lake DuBay, the Big Eau Pleine Reservoir, and the Wisconsin River sustain most of the county’s walleye fishery. Northern pike are found in most of the large lakes and streams and support a large share of the warm water game fishery. Panfish are common throughout the county, inhabiting 75 percent of the lake and 77 percent of the stream acreage. Forage fish are found in many small, shallow lakes which are not suitable for game fish due to winter kill. One use of these fish is live trapping for sale as bait. Carp are found in the lower reaches of both the Big Eau Pleine and Wisconsin River and in the Big Eau Pleine Reservoir, Lake DuBay, Mosinee Flowage and Lake Wausau.

Marathon County Demographics

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IV. DEMOGRAPHICS Historical Trends Over the past 30 years, the population of Marathon County increased by 29 percent. As shown on Table 1, during the same period population in the State also increased, but at a lower rate (21 percent). Also during the same period, the number of Marathon County households increased by 59 percent. This is consistent with the national trend toward more households, but fewer persons per household. The Marathon County average household declined from 3.27 in 1970 to 2.60 in 2000, reflecting the move toward more households comprised of single adults, couples without children, and fewer children per household. Marathon County’s household numbers and household size mirrored the percent change for the State of Wisconsin over the past three decades. Population growth in Marathon County has not been uniform over the three decades. Marathon County has not been uniform over the three decades. Marathon County experienced a population boom in the 1970s with over 13,000 new residents arriving to take advantage of new job opportunities. Population growth was particularly strong in the developing suburban communities outside the City of Wausau such as Weston, which increased by 5,000 people (78 percent), and Kronenwetter, which gained over 2,400 people (93 percent). Growth in the County slowed in the 1980s, with an increase of over 4,000 residents. This decade, however, marked the growth of the Asian population in Marathon County, which grew to over 2,000 residents by 1990. The 1990s brought renewed economic opportunities, and Marathon County grew by 9 percent, with a population growth of over 10,000 residents.

Table 1 Demographic Change, 1970-2000

1970

1980

1990

2000

% Change

1970 to 2000

% Change

1990 to 2000

Total Population

County 97,457 111,270 115,400 125,834 +29% +9%

State 4,417,821 4,705,767 4,891,769 5,363,675 +21% +10%

Total Households

County 29,771 37,865 41,534 47,402 +59% +14%

State 1,328,804 1,652,261 1,822,118 2,084,544 +57% +14%

Average Household Size

County 3.27 2.90 2.75 2.60 -20% -5%

State 3.22 2.35 2.68 2.50 -22% -7%


Regional Growth Table 2 illustrates the components of population change in Marathon County and surrounding counties over the decade since 1990. Components of population change include natural increase (the excess of births over deaths) and migration. Marathon County has the largest population in the region, and experienced the largest natural increase percentage (6.25 percent) among these counties. About half of the counties experienced most growth from natural increases; the others grew more as a result of in-migration. Waupaca County experienced the most startling change, with an excess of deaths over births, but a large in-migration of over 5,800 residents. Marathon County was second to Waupaca County in net migration, which accounted for an additional 3,227 residents. In general, the rate of growth in Marathon County has been similar overall, relative to the counties that surround it, although slightly higher for natural increases. While Marathon County began with a larger population base, the percentage of growth in natural increase provides a relative measure for comparison. Other surrounding counties such as Langlade, Lincoln, Shawano and Wood relied more heavily on net migration for their population growth. Some of these counties may have experienced a higher level of in-migration due to retirees and others choosing to build year-round homes on recreational lands. Racial Composition Table 3 shows the racial composition of Marathon County and the State of Wisconsin in 1990 and 2000. As shown, Marathon County has experienced some growth in diversity over the last decade. The largest gains reflect the Asian population growth, which in 2000 reached almost 5 percent of the County population. Both African-American and Hispanic or Latino population also achieved some growth, although each group is less than 1 percent of the County population. In the State of Wisconsin as a whole, the African-American population (5.7 percent of the population) and the Hispanic or Latino population (3.5 percent of the population) have a greater presence than in Marathon County. While relative numbers of the Asian population grew, they make up only 1.7 percent of the State population overall, compared to almost 5 percent in Marathon County. ______________________________________________________________________________ 4 - 2


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Table 2 Components of Total Population Change, Marathon County and Selected Counties, 1990-2000

1990-2000 Numeric Change

1990-2000 Percent Change

1990-2000 County 1990

Population 2000

Population Total Births

Total Deaths

Natural Increase

Net Migration

Total Natural Increase

Net Migration

Total

Marathon 115,400 125,834 16,129 8,922 7,207 3,227 10,434 6.25 2.80 9.04

Clark 31,647 33,557 4,606 3,262 1,345 566 1,910 4.25 1.79 6.04 Langlade 19,505 20,740 2,331 2,266 65 1,170 1,235 0.33 6.00 6.33

Lincoln 26,993 29,641 3,365 3,039 326 2,323 2,648 1.21 8.60 9.81

Portage 61,405 67,182 8,040 4,371 3,670 2,108 5,777 5.98 3.43 9.41

Shawano 37,157 40,664 4,676 4,347 329 3,178 3,507 0.89 8.55 9.44

Taylor 18,901 19,680 2,357 1,820 538 242 779 2.84 1.28 4.12

Waupaca 46,104 51,731 6,184 6,366 -182 5,809 5,627 -0.39 12.60 12.21 Wood 73,605 75,555 9,689 6,766 2,923 -973 1,950 3.97 -1.32 2.65

State of Wisconsin 4,891,769 5,363,675 688,968 445,281 243,687 228,219 471,906 4.98 4.67 9.65

Source: Wisconsin Department of Administration, Demographic Services Center, Population Trends in Wisconsin: 1970-2000, July 2001

Table 3 Racial Composition, 1990 and 2000

Marathon County Wisconsin

Race 1990 % 2000 % 1990 % 2000 %

White 112,403 97.4 118,079 93.8 4,512,523 92.2 4,769,857 88.9

Black or African-American 77 0.1 347 0.3 244,539 5.0 304,460 5.7

American Indian or Alaska Native 365 0.3 435 0.3 39,387 0.8 47,228 0.9

Asian 2,430* 2.1 5,715 4.5 52,782 1.1 88,763 1.7

Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander -- -- 26 -- 801 -- 1,630 --

Other Race or Two or More Races -- -- 1,232 1.0 41,737 0.9 151,737 2.8

Hispanic or Latino 416 0.4 979 0.8 93,194 1.9 192,921 3.6

*Asian and Hawaiian combined in 1990 Source: Wisconsin Department of Administration, 2000; U.S. Census, Basic Demographic Trend Report


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Age Distribution Table 4 compares the distribution of population by age group in 1990 and 2000 for Marathon County and Wisconsin. In 2000 in Marathon County, the age groups with the most population include residents between 25-54 years old, with the median age at 36 years. In 1990, there were more persons in the 25-44 age group and fewer persons in the 45 to 64 age group; these distributions likely reflect the aging of the post-World War II baby boomers over the decade. As a result of this age group shift, the median age for both Marathon County and Wisconsin rose from approximately 32 years in 1990 to 36 years in 2000. Other age groups in the County stayed relatively proportional between 1990 and 2000. The distribution of population across age groups in the County in 2000 is nearly identical to that of the State.

Table 4 Population by Age Group, 2000

Age Group Percent of Population

1990 Marathon County

2000 Marathon

County

1990 Wisconsin

2000 Wisconsin

Under 5 years 7.4 6.4 7.4 6.4 5 to 9 years 7.5 7.7 7.1 10 to14 years 8.0 7.2 7.5 15 to 19 years

20.6 (ages 5-17)

7.7 7.1 7.6 20 to 24 years 9.2

(ages 18-24) 5.4 7.4 6.7

25 to 34 years 13.0 16.8 13.2 35 to 44 years 32.0

16.5 14.8 16.3 45 to 54 years 13.9 9.8 13.7 55 to 59 years 4.8 4.2 4.7 60 to 64 years

18.1

3.8 4.3 3.8 65 to 74 years 6.4 7.3 6.6 75 to 84 years 4.8 4.5 4.7 85 years and over

12.6

1.7 1.5 1.8 Median Age 32.7 36.3 32.9 36.0 Source: Wisconsin Department of Administration, 2000; U.S. Census, Basic Demographic Trend Report Population Forecasts Table 5 indicates population projections for Marathon County completed in 5-year increments between 2000 and 2030. Projections were computed by the North Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (NCWRPC) and are based on the historical growth rate between 1980 and 2000. These projections assume a moderate rate of growth, resulting in a population increase of 16,784 persons, or 13 percent between 2000 and 2030.


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Table 5

Population Projections (NCWRPC), 2000-2030 Total Population by Year

2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030

Marathon County 125,834 128,632 131,430 134,217 137,022 139,820 142,618

Source: Marathon County 2030 Population and Employment Projections Methodology Report, NCWRPC, 10/29/03 Population Forecasts by Sub-Area The NCWRPC predicted 2030 population totals by sub-area at low, moderate and high growth rates for Marathon County. Table 6 shows that under all three scenarios, the South-Central sub-area is expected to experience the highest rate of growth, with 18 percent predicted under a moderate growth rate. This area is seeing increased development as more residents are building year-round homes near the lakes and wildlife/natural refuges there. In addition, housing in the South Central sub-area is in the high growth corridor from Wausau to Mosinee and south to Stevens Point in Portage County. The Northwestern sub-area is predicted to experience the least growth scenario. This is one of the strongest agricultural areas in the county. Population may likely decline because there are fewer farmers operating larger farms. In addition, family sizes as a whole are declining, although that trend may be challenged by the larger families that are more prevalent among the Mennonite and Amish residents in the Northwest sub-area.

Table 6 2030 Population Projections

Moderate Growth High Growth Low Growth

Planning Sub-Area 2000 Population Number % Number % Number %

Highway 51 84,603 96,448 14% 100,678 19% 92,217 9% Eastern 9,452 10,775 14% 11,248 19% 10,303 9% Northwestern 9,378 9,284 -1% 9,752 4% 8,814 -6% South Central 11,649 13,745 18% 14,329 23% 13,163 13% Southwestern 10,752 12,366 15% 12,902 20% 11,827 10%

Total Marathon County 125,834 142,618 13% 148,909 18% 136,324 8%

Source: Marathon County 2030 Population and Employment Projections Methodology Report, NCWRPC, 10/29/03


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Education and Income Levels Table 7 compares levels of education attainment of County residents to State levels. According to 2000 Census data, 83.8 percent of Marathon County residents, age 25 and over, have a high school education or higher, compared to 75.9 percent in 1990. Marathon County high school graduation percentages are only slightly below similar figures for the State in both 1990 and 2000. The percent of residents with a bachelor’s degree or higher has also grown from 13.5 percent in 1990 to 18.3 percent in 2000, although the County numbers still lag behind the State (22.4 percent) in 2000.

Table 7 Education Attainment, 1990 and 2000

1990 County

2000 County 1990 State 2000 State

Educational Attainment % % % % Less than 9th Grade 14.1 8.2 9.5 5.4 9th to 12th Grade,, No Diploma 10.0 8.0 11.9 9.6 High School Graduate 40.8 38.0 37.1 34.6 Some College, No Degree 13.3 18.3 16.7 20.6 Associates Degree 8.4 9.2 7.1 7.5 Bachelor’s Degree 9.4 12.6 12.1 15.3 Graduate or Professional Degree 4.0 5.7 5.6 7.2

Percent high school grad. or higher 75.9 83.8 78.6 85.1 Percent bachelor’s degree or higher 13.5 18.3 17.7 22.4 Source: Wisconsin Department of Administration, 2000 As shown in Table 8, median household income for County residents was $45,165 in 2000. This is slightly higher than the State, which has an overall median household income of $43,791. Both Marathon County and the State experienced relative increases in median household income since 1990. Median income in Marathon County increased by 45 percent between 1990 and 2000 and by 49 percent for the State overall. Income figures must be viewed with caution, since the absolute numbers will rise with inflation. However, the relative percentages of residents in each income level, indicate that income distribution in Marathon County is proportionate to levels observed Statewide in both 1990 and 2000.


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Table 8 Household Income Levels

1990 County 2000 County 1990 State 2000 State Income Level % % % % Less than $10,000 12.4 5.9 14.0 7.1 $10,000 - $14,999 8.9 5.4 9.4 5.8 $15,000 - $24,999 19.3 12.3 18.7 12.7 $25,000 - $34,999 18.4 13.1 17.4 13.2 $35,000 - $49,999 21.5 19.4 20.2 18.1 $50,000 - $74,999 13.7 25.2 14.1 22.7 $75,000 - $99,999 3.2 10.5 3.6 10.9 $100,000 - $149,000 1.6 5.4 1.7 6.4 $150,000 - $199,999 1.0 1.3 1.0 1.5 $200,000 or More -- 1.6 -- 1.5 Total Households 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 Median Household Income $31,143 $45,165 $29,442 $43,791 Source: Wisconsin Department of Administration, 2000 Employment Characteristics Table 9 illustrates the breakdown, by occupation, of the employed population of Marathon County in 2000. The “employed population” is defined as people living in the County who are 16 years and older. In 2000, the County had an employed population of 66,550. Most County residents were employed in management and professional, sales and office, and production, transportation and material moving occupations. The high number of jobs in the management and professional sector likely reflects dominance of insurance, health care and government related jobs.

Table 9 Occupation by Sector, Marathon County, 2000

Sector Number Percent

Management, professional, and related occupations 19,745 29.7

Service occupations 8,127 12.2

Sales and office occupations 17,457 26.2

Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations 910 1.4

Construction, extraction, and maintenance occupations 5,806 8.7

Production, transportation, and material moving occupations 14,505 21.8

Total Employed Population 66,550 100.0 Source: Wisconsin Department of Administration


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Demographic Trends

• Marathon County has grown by 29 percent since 1970, with stronger growth in the decades of the 1970s and 1990s. Overall, the County’s growth rate was higher than the State of Wisconsin, which grew by 21 percent.

• According to population projections completed by the NCWRPC, Marathon County will grow 13 percent, to 142,618 by 2030.

• Population growth is forecasted to be greatest in the South Central planning sub-area, with 18 percent growth estimated under a moderate growth scenario. The Highway 51, East and Southwest sub-areas are forecasted to have a growth rate of 14-15 percent, while the Northwest sub-area is projected to decline by 1 percent.

• When compared to surrounding counties, Marathon County experienced the highest natural growth increase, but compared lower to several surrounding counties with regard to growth through net migration.

• Household growth in Marathon County over the past decade was 14 percent, the same as the State. While the average household size in the County (2.60 persons per household) is higher than the State average of 2.50, both experienced declining household sizes since 1970 when Marathon County had an average household size of 3.27 and the State average was 3.22 persons per household. This reflects a national trend toward smaller households consisting of singles, widowed adults, and empty nesters.

• Marathon County is becoming more racially diverse. Between 1990 and 2000, the Asian population grew to almost 5 percent of the County population, with over 5,700 residents. Other non-White groups held steady or increased slightly over the decade.

• Marathon County grew older between 1990 and 2000, with an increase in the median age from 32.7 to 36.3. This trend matches numbers for the State of Wisconsin(32.9 to 36.0) and likely reflects the aging of the post-World War II baby boom generation.

• About 83 percent of Marathon County residents have a high school education, slightly less than the 85.1 percent shown at the State level. Similarly, 18.3 percent of County residents hold a bachelor’s degree, compared to 22.4 percent for the State.

• Marathon County’s median income is $45,165 above the State median of $43,791. Between 1990 and 2000, median incomes increased by 45 percent in the County and 49 percent in the State.

• Almost 30 percent of all employed residents in Marathon County work in management and professional sector, while sales and office occupations represent 26.2 percent of all employment and production, transportation and material moving accounts for 21.8 percent. Farming, fishing and forestry occupations, traditional economic activities in the County, accounted for only 1.4 percent of total employment in 2000.

Marathon County Suitability Analysis

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V. SUITABILITY ANALYSIS Park and forest recreation land should be located in areas and on sites that are suitable for them. Potential new recreation sites should possess certain elements to make them suitable for use as a County park or forest recreation area, while not degrading the quality of the surrounding natural or cultural environment. 1. Sufficient land should be available to accommodate the desired recreational facilities.

Also, sufficient “buffer” land should be available around developed areas to screen park development from unacceptable surrounding land uses.

2. The recreation land should be suitable to the proposed recreational uses. Soil types,

slopes, and other physiographic characteristics should be suitable to allow development of the recreational facilities without degrading the environment.

3. The recreation land should be accessible to the users it will be serving. The transportation

network leading to the proposed recreation area should be adequate to safely accommodate the present and future users without significantly impacting the surrounding environment.

4. The recreation land should be appropriate for the desired uses. Recreation facilities in a

park or forest should be located to maximize the natural beauty of a site and minimize the impact to the natural environment. Recreational facilities that will drastically alter the character of a site should be avoided. Also, attempts should be made to concentrate development on previously disturbed areas or areas with a low probability for adverse environmental impact.

Marathon County Existing Recreation Lands

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VI. EXISTING RECREATION LANDS Marathon County has 17 County parks that serve the recreation needs of its residents. The County parks, which have a total area of 3,406 acres, are fairly evenly distributed throughout the county (see Map 5). County park facilities are summarized in Table 10. These parks are administered and maintained by the Marathon County Parks Department. The Parks Department partners with the State of Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources on the administration and maintenance of two hiking/biking trails, the McMillian Marsh Trail and the Mountain-Bay State Park Trail. Also, Marathon County has nine County forest units, all of which are open to the public for recreational use. The County forest units have a total area of 29,193 acres, and are fairly evenly distributed throughout the county (see Map 6). County forest facilities are summarized in Tables 11, 12, 13 and 14. County forestry units are managed by the Marathon County Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department. Marathon County is served by two other types of parks and forest recreation areas that are administered and maintained by governmental units other than the County. There is one state park, and four fish and wildlife areas in Marathon County that are under the jurisdiction of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. A portion of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail is located in eastern Marathon County and is managed as a partnership of the National Park Service, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and the Marathon County Chapter of the Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation, Inc. Additionally, many municipalities in the county (particularly Wausau) operate park systems that serve their residents. Each existing park or forest recreational area is briefly summarized. The summary includes size in acres, quantity and type of recreational facilities, unique, natural, cultural features of the recreational area, the relative location within the county, the general quality of existing facilities (where noteworthy) and other special concerns and comments, where appropriate. County parks and County forests have each been classified in the most appropriate recreation opportunity spectrum classification, and the active use area for each County park and County forest has been estimated. This information has been listed in Tables 10 and 11 and will be used to help determine the need for additional recreational land, and also will be used to help locate needed, appropriate facilities in suitable areas.


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County Parks Amco Park Amco Park is a 38.75-acre County park located on the Big Rib River in northwest Marathon County. The park, which receives moderate use from area residents, contains a variety of facilities including: picnic tables, grills, restrooms, a park shelter, a drinking fountain, and children’s play equipment. Amco Park also has a hiking trail along the Big Rib River. Ashley Park Ashley Park is a 160-acre County park located on Lake DuBay in south central Marathon County. The park, which is currently undeveloped, is mostly wooded, and contains some environmentally sensitive wildlife habitat. Big Eau Pleine Park The Big Eau Pleine Park is Marathon County’s largest park. It is a 1,453-acre County park that is located on a peninsula on the north shore of the Big Eau Pleine Reservoir in southern Marathon County. The park, whose active recreation areas are concentrated in two areas along the reservoir, contains a variety of active and passive recreation facilities. The Big Eau Pleine Park facilities include: campgrounds, picnic tables, grills, restrooms, open sided park shelters, drinking fountains, boat launches, swimming beaches, changing houses, play equipment, enclosed shelters, and an extensive trail system (cross-country skiing, hiking, biking, disc golf, and nature trail). Big Eau Pleine Park also contains a state scientific area. During the summer camping season, on-site managers supervise the park. Big Eau Pleine Park is known for its fishing opportunities (year-round), its access to the Big Eau Pleine Reservoir, and its trails. Big Rapids Park Big Rapids Park is a 33-acre County park located on the Big Eau Pleine River in west central Marathon County. The park, which receives heavy seasonal use, has a variety of facilities, including: picnic tables, grills, restrooms, changing rooms, an open sided shelter, children’s play equipment, and a hiking trail system. The Big Eau Pleine River, which runs through the park, is dammed to provide swimming and fishing opportunities. Big Rapids Park is heavily used in the spring for rough fish netting. Bluegill Bay Park Bluegill Bay Park is a 98-acre County park located on the west shore of Lake Wausau in central Marathon County. This park, which receives heavy seasonal use, is one of the two county accesses onto Lake Wausau. Bluegill Bay Park currently has a double boat launch ramp with courtesy piers, a boat trailer parking lot, and a variety of support facilities, including: restrooms, three open shelters, drinking water available, and a hiking trail. Also, the County tree nursery is located adjacent to the west side of the park. Bluegill Bay Park is heavily used by boaters and by ice fishermen to gain access to Lake Wausau.


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Cherokee Park Cherokee Park is a popular 68.85-acre County park located on the Big Eau Pleine River in western Marathon County. The river is dammed and provides fishing opportunities. A CCC vintage indoor/outdoor reservable park shelter on the west side of the river provides a place for group activities. Support facilities at Cherokee Park include benches, picnic tables, grills, restrooms, two open sided shelters, a drinking fountain, play equipment, and a hiking trail along the west bank of the river. D.C. Everest Park D.C. Everest Park is a 12.1-acre County park on the west bank of Lake Wausau in the City of Wausau. This park, which receives heavy use, is one of two county accesses onto Lake Wausau. D.C. Everest Park has two boat ramps, a park shelter with concession facilities, and a variety of support facilities, including: restrooms, drinking water, benches, picnic tables, and portable bleachers. D.C. Everest Park also hosts the Central Wisconsin Water Ski Show Team which performs in summer on Lake Wausau. Dells of the Eau Claire Park The Dells of the Eau Claire Park is one of the most popular parks in the region as well as the county. It is a 214.62-acre County park bisected by the Eau Claire River in northeast Marathon County. The park is famous for the rock outcroppings and rapids along the river just west of the County Highway Y bridge. The park offers a variety of active and passive recreation facilities. The Eau Claire River is dammed east of the County Highway Y bridge and has a developed swimming beach and changing rooms. An on-site manager resides in the park during the summer. A large CCC vintage reservable shelter is situated to the west of the highway north of the river. Campgrounds are provided on both sides of the highway north of the river. (Family camping to the east of the highway, group camping to the west.) The Eau Claire Dells Park provides a variety of support facilities including: restrooms, picnic tables, grills, benches, drinking fountains, and children’s play equipment. There is an extensive trail system throughout the park, including a section of the Marathon County segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail and a nature trail through the state scientific area that affords access to many natural features of the area. Marathon Park Marathon Park is one of the County’s most popular and heavily used parks. It is a 78-acre park located on the west side of the City of Wausau in central Marathon County. Marathon Park is well known for several reasons: 1. It is the home of the Wisconsin Valley Fair. 2. It has a large stand of mature white pine. 3. It has numerous historic exposition buildings. 4. It provides a wide variety of specialized recreation facilities.


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In addition to the standard park facilities common to most County parks (restrooms, picnic tables, grills, benches, campsites, shelters, children’s playgrounds, drinking fountains, park office, etc.), Marathon Park offers a variety of other facilities: 1. Lighted tennis courts. 2. Lighted basketball courts. 3. Two indoor skating rinks. 4. Splash pad 5. Miniature train and track. 6. Several multi-purpose exposition buildings. 7. Rodeo-corral with bleachers. 8. Concession stand with private contract concessions. 9. Merry-go-round. 10. The Little Red School House Museum. 11. East Gate Hall 12. Curling rink. 13. Farm museum. 14. Covered grandstand. 15. Exhibition Building Mission Lake Park Mission Lake Park is a popular County park located on the west bank of Mission Lake in southeast Marathon County. This 93.40-acre park has a wide variety of park facilities that include: three open-sided shelters, restrooms, picnic tables, grills, children’s play equipment, and drinking fountains. Mission Lake Park also offers a sand beach for swimming and a boat launch for access to the lake. Mission Lake is a popular fishing spot and is used year-round by area sportsmen. Mission Lake Park is included in the proposed corridor for the completion of Marathon County’s segment of the Ice Age National Trail. Reitbrock Geographical Marker The Reitbrock Geographical Marker is a .1-acre park in northwest Marathon County. Its only feature is a marker that designates the geographic center of the northern one-half of the western hemisphere. Rib Falls Park Rib Falls Park is a 314.65-acre County park that is located on the Rib River northwest of Marathon City in west central Marathon County. Park facilities include: an open shelter, toilet, well, and children’s play equipment adjacent to the falls area of the river. The remains of an old saw and grist mill and dam are located on the Big Rib River which flows through the site. The park property includes an active gravel pit that is being managed for the development of a 40 acre lake and associated improvements.


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Duane L. Corbin Shooting Range Park Shooting Range Park is a 100-acre County park located within the Nine Mile County forest unit in south central Marathon County. This park has a set of specialized facilities for target shooting. These facilities include: 1. Archery range. 2. Several rifle and pistol shooting ranges. 3. Trap/skeet area. 4. Police range. For classification purposes, Shooting Range Park is included in the County Park inventory. Sunny Vale Park Sunny Vale Park is a well used 299.23-acre County park located on the far west side of Wausau in central Marathon County. This park is popular with County residents who use it for swimming, picnicking, fishing, or use the model airplane flying area. Sunny Vale Park facilities include a bathhouse with restrooms, open sided shelters, drinking water, parking lots, and a hiking trail. The Big Rib River flows through the park. However, no developed access is provided to the river. Sunny Vale Softball Complex The Sunny Vale Softball Complex is a 71.49-acre recreation area that provides facilities for organized softball activities. The softball complex, which is managed by the Wausau Area Softball Association through a contract with Marathon County, has facilities which include: five lighted softball fields, each with dugouts, bleachers, score boards, and press box. The complex also has a combined concession stand and restrooms, a centrally located parking lot and open sided shelters. Current plans include development of a sixth diamond on land to be transferred from the County to the Park Department. Trappe River Dells Park Trappe River Dells Park is an 80-acre undeveloped park located in northern Marathon County. The park land is currently landlocked and is not accessible from other public lands or roads. The County currently has no formal plans to develop this wooded park. Wisconsin River Park (also listed as a County forest unit) Wisconsin River Park is a 289.50-acre park located on the Wisconsin River in northern Marathon County. This park is currently undeveloped. Wisconsin River Park, which contains some identified archeological sites, has the potential to provide interpretive trails and access to the Wisconsin River. Proposed development includes extraction of the property’s extensive gravel deposits. The pit resulting from the gravel extraction will be used to create a lake that can


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be used for recreational purposes. Long range plans include: picnicking, boat launches, natural areas, camping, swimming, and hiking.

Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan

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Table 10

Summary of Existing Facilities - County Parks SIZE IN ACRES

COUNTY PARKS

GROSS

ACTIVE USE

Access Road

Parking

Lot

Comfort Station

Open

Play Area

Access to

Water

Trail

System

Play

Equip

Picnic Area

Beach

Boat

Launch

Camping # Sites

Rentable Shelter

Open

Shelter

Hunting

Opp

Fishing

Opp

* ROS CLASS

Amco 40 6 V V 1 V V V V 1 R/RN

Ashley 160 RN

Big Eau Pleine

1,450 265 V V 8 V V V V V V 4 105 1 8 V RM

Big Rapids 33 8 V V 1 V V V V V 1 V R

Bluegill Bay 68 33 V V 2 V V V V 1 1 2 V U/R

Cherokee 69 20 V V 1 V V V V V 1 3 V R/RM

D.C. Everest 6 6 V V 1 V V V 2 1 V U

Dells of the Eau Claire

190 70 V V 4 V V V V V V 25 1 4 V R/RN

Marathon 78 70 V V 3 V V V V 35 3 5 U

Mission Lake 122 13 V V 1 V V V V V 1 1 2 V R

Reitbrock Geo. Marker

0.1 0.1 V V R

Rib Falls 315 10 V 1 V V V 1

Shooting Range

100 60 V V 1 R

Sunny Vale 299 40 V V 1 V V V V V 2 V R

Sunny Vale Softball Complex

71 35 V V 1 V V 3 R

Trappe River Dells

80 V P

Wisconsin River

290 V V V V RM

TOTAL 3,371 636 25 8 165 32 *See Appendix “A” for ROS Class Characterization


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County Forest Lands Marathon County has nine forest units under Wausau and Marathon County Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department management that have a total of 29,193 acres of land available for public recreational use. These units, which are managed by the Marathon County Forestry, Recreation, and Zoning Committee of the County Board, are comprised of nine County forests and one public land area. All of the units are open to public access and provide for a variety of public recreational activities and are managed on a sustainable basis for optimum production of forest products. Additionally, the County Parks and Forestry Department operates and maintains a variety of cross-country skiing, mountain bike, equestrian, hiking, snowmobile, and ATV trails through easements on private land as well as County forests and other publicly owned property. The forest units and recreational trails under County Parks and Forestry Department’s management are distributed throughout Marathon County (see Map 9).

Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan

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Table 11

Summary of Existing Facilities - County Forests

County Forests

Size in Acres

Access Road Parking Lot Comfort Station Access to Water

Trail System Rentable Shelter

Hunting Opp

ROS CLASS

Bern Wetland 269 V V V V V RN

Burma Road 1,480 V V V V V RM

Hewitt-Harrison 9,115 V V V V V SPM

Kronenwetter 5,076 V V V V V RN

Leather Camp 5,248 V V V V V SPM

Nine Mile Forest 4,894 V V V V V V V RN

Ringle Marsh 2,548 V V V V V RM

Elderon 280 V V V V RM

Easton Property 80 V V RM

Wisconsin River 283 V V V V V RM

TOTAL 29,273


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Some lands surrounding the forest units have been identified for potential acquisition to block in ownership. This means that there is some private land ownership (inholdings) within designated county forest unit boundaries. The actual potential acquisition acres and county ownership acreages for each forest unit are summarized in Table 12. Recreation facilities on county property that are managed by the Parks and Forestry Department are summarized in Table 13. Recreation trails that are managed by the Parks and Forestry Department are summarized in Table 14.

Table 12 Marathon County Forest

Management Units (Summary)

Unit Designation Primary Suitability Total Potential Acquisition Acres

County Owned Acres*

ROS Class

Bern Wetland Special Use/County Forest Multiple Use1 626 269 RN

Burma Road County Forest Multiple Use2 653 1480 RM

Elderon County Forest Multiple Use4 1725 280 RM

Hewitt-Harrison County Forest Multiple Use3 4374 9,115 SPM

Kronenwetter County Forest Multiple Use4 1606 5,076 RN

Leather Camp County Forest Multiple Use5 3188 5,248 SPM

Nine Mile Forest County Forest Multiple Use6 1672 4,894 RN

Ringle Marsh County Forest Multiple Use4 1902 2,548 RM

Wisconsin River Special Use/County Forest Multiple Use7 44 283 RM

Easton Property Public Land Trading Stock 0 80 RM

ROW’s & Misc. Parcels

Public Land Multiple Use2 0 _____383 RM/SP

TOTAL 15,790 29,656

Notes: 1 Timber production, waterfowl hunting. 2 Timber production, snowmobile/ATV trail use. 3 Timber production, waterfowl hunting, walking trails. 4 Timber production, walking trails. 5 Timber production, ruffed grouse hunting, walking trails. 6 Timber production, multi-use trails, cross-country ski trailhead facility. 7 Multi use trails, river access, future park development. *53% of total acquisition acres


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Table 13 County Recreation Facilities Managed by County Parks and Forestry Department on County Property

Facility Type Quantity

Miscellaneous Facilities

Parking Lots 34

Gates 52

Flowages 17

Chalet 1

Garage 1

Pit Toilets (other units) 3

Trails Miles

Trails Total (all types) 191.2

Snowmobile/ATV (winter) 36.2

ATV (spring/summer/winter) - Burma Road Forest Unit

10.9

Hiking 120.0

Equestrian 28.6

Cert. County Forest Roads 6.48

Cross-country Ski Trails (total) - Big Eau Pleine Park (8.0) - Nine Mile Forest Unit, 4.2 miles lighted (19.1) - Sylvan Park (1.0) - Ringle (4.8)

32.4

Mountain Biking 29.8

Nature trail (Bitzke Birdwalk) 1.9

Snowshoe trail 4.1


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Table 14 County Recreation Facilities Managed by County Parks and Forestry Department on Lands Other Than County (Summary)

Trail Type Miles

Snowmobile Trails1 745.5

Winter ATV Trails1 690.0

Cross-Country Ski Trails (total) - Greenwood Hills (4.0) - American Legion (2.5)

6.5

Total Trail Length on private property 752 1 Joint snowmobile/ATV trail - total snowmobile ATV trail length is 690 miles.

Marathon County forest land provides an opportunity to offer the residents of Marathon County, the region, and the state with recreation facilities in addition to other publicly owned and operated parks. Marathon County has recognized that opportunity and endorsed it in the 2006-2020 Marathon County Forest Comprehensive Land Use Plan. In that plan, the County adopted an overall goal “to provide the basis for permanent program of County forest to enable and encourage the planned development and management of the County forests for optimum production of forest products, together with recreational opportunities, wildlife, watershed protection and stabilization of stream flows, giving full recognition to the concept of multiple use to assure maximum public benefits; to protect the public rights, interests, and investments in such lands; and to compensate the counties for the public uses, benefits and privileges these lands provide; all in a manner which will provide a reasonable revenue to the towns in which such lands lie” (Sec. 28.11, Wis. Stats.). The mission of the Marathon County Forest is to manage and protect these natural resources on a sustainable basis for ecological, economic, educational, recreational, and research needs of present and future generations.


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Bern Wetland The Bern Wetland is a 269.10-acre special use county forest unit located in the northwest corner of the county in the Town of Bern. The unit, which is primarily managed for waterfowl habitat, contains a parking lot and a short hiking trail. It has a 115-acre waterfowl flowage which is used for trapping, hunting, and birdwatching. Burma Road The Burma Road Forest Unit is a 1,480-acre County forest located in south central Marathon County in the Towns of Mosinee and Emmet. This forest unit, which has multiple timber and recreation uses, contains two parking lots, a pit toilet and a variety of year-round trails, including snowmobile/ATV trails (winter use), ATV trails (summer use), and hunter/walking trails (fall use). Hewitt-Harrison The Hewitt-Harrison Forest Unit is an 9,115.37-acre County forest located in northeastern Marathon County. This unit, which has multiple timber and recreation uses, contains nine parking lots and a variety of year-round trails including snowmobile/ATV (winter use) trails and hunter/walking trails. The Hewitt-Harrison County forest contains several ponds, creeks, and flowages that are managed for waterfowl habitat. The Bitzke Birdwalk nature trail is maintained within a 400-acre waterfowl refuge in this forest unit. Kronenwetter The Kronenwetter Forest Unit is a 5,075.79-acre County forest located in southeast Marathon County. The unit, which has multiple timber and recreational uses, contains five parking lots, and a variety of year-round trails including snowmobile/ATV trails (winter use), equestrian trails, and hunter/walking trails. Leather Camp The Leather Camp County Forest Unit is a 5,247.86-acre County forest located in southeast Marathon County directly south of and adjacent to the Kronenwetter Forest Unit. The Leather Camp Forest Unit, which has multiple timber and recreation use, contains six parking lots and a variety of year-round trails including snowmobile/ATV trails (winter use) equestrian, and hunter/walking trails. The northwest 3,143.85 acres of this unit are managed for ruffed grouse in cooperation with the Ruffed Grouse Society and the Department of Natural Resources. Nine Mile Forest The Nine Mile Forest Unit is a 4,893.66-acre County forest located in central Marathon County southwest of Wausau. The unit, which has multiple timber and recreational uses, contains seven parking lots and a variety of year-round trails, including cross-country ski trails, snowmobile/ATV trails (winter use), snowshoe trails, hunter/walking trails, Boy Scout hiking, mountain biking trails and equestrian trails. The Nine Mile Forest Unit is known in particular for


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hunting, cross-country skiing facilities (including trails, toilets, and a chalet), and the 440-acre Nine Mile Swamp that it contains. Within the forest unit boundaries is the Shooting Range County Park. This park contains a variety of pistol and rifle ranges, an archery range, a trap/skeet range, and a police range. (See park inventory section, page 6-4 for a detailed description of the Shooting Range Park.) Ringle Marsh The Ringle Marsh Forest Unit is a 2,547.83-acre County Forest Unit located in east central Marathon County. The unit, which has multiple timber and recreation uses, contains three parking lots and a variety of year-round trails including snowmobile/ATV trails (winter use) and hunter/walking trails. Elderon The Elderon Forest Unit is a 280-acre public land area located in eastern Marathon County. This forest unit has multiple timber and recreational uses, including one parking lot and snowmobile/ATV trails (winter use) and hunter/walking trails. Easton Property The Easton Property is an 80-acre parcel that is currently under a five-year farm lease to a private individual. The Easton Property will eventually be used as trading stock to acquire land for blocking in the ownership of other County forest units. Wisconsin River Unit (managed as a County park under special use designation) The Wisconsin River Unit is a 283-acre parcel located north of Brokaw on the Wisconsin River. The confluence of the Wisconsin and Trappe Rivers, Trappe River rapids, native american historic site, unique bottomland forests, and gravel deposits contribute to the uniqueness of this area. Currently undeveloped except for town road access, this parcel is open for public use including hunting. Future park development, after gravel extraction, may include a boat landing, lake, swimming, camping, and trails. County Recreation Trails The Marathon County Parks and Forestry Department develops, operates, and maintains snowmobile, winter ATV, and cross-country ski trails on privately owned land with the County through the use of easements (see Table 14.) The trails, which are located throughout the County, provide County residents with additional recreational opportunities outside of County forests and parks. In addition to providing recreation opportunities for users, many of the trails also serve to reroute “unofficial trails” off of inappropriate agricultural and other private lands and thereby reduce user conflicts.

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State Recreation Areas Ice Age National Scenic Trail The Ice Age National Scenic Trail is a trail corridor composed of existing trail segments and proposed trail that meanders across the State of Wisconsin. The trail corridor traverses eastern Marathon County. A segment of the trail has been completed from the Town of Ringle to the Dells of the Eau Claire County Park. Mountain-Bay State Park Trail The Mountain-Bay State Park Trail is an 83-mile trail running from the Town of Weston in Marathon County, passing through Shawano County and ending in the Village of Howard in Brown County. The trail right-of-way, the former Chicago Northwestern Railroad right-of-way, is owned by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources except for the western 3.5 miles which is owned by the Village of Weston. The respective counties through which the trail passes are responsible for operation and maintenance of the trail. Marathon County manages approximately 17 miles of the Mountain-Bay Trail from within the County boundaries. The trail consists of a crushed limestone trail tread placed over existing railroad ballast. A picnic area is located along the trail at the Eau Claire River. Future improvements will include restrooms, drinking water, and complementary recreation facilities such as rest and additional picnic areas. Allowed uses of the trail in Marathon County include bicycling and hiking during non-snow cover periods and snowmobiling during snow cover periods. There are three state owned and managed recreation areas in Marathon County that provide recreation opportunities to state residents. (See Map 4) Rib Mountain State Park Rib Mountain State Park is a 1,182-acre state park located on Rib Mountain in central Marathon County. In addition to camping, picnicking, and scenic overlooks and trails, the state park contains a privately operated downhill ski facility. Rib Mountain State Park is popular with tourists and out-of-state skiers as well as County residents. McMillan Marsh The McMillan Marsh is a 4,172-acre state Wildlife Management Area located in southwest Marathon County. Marathon County owns 1,720 acres of this Wildlife Management Area which is leased to the State of Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) on a 99-year lease. Marathon County Parks in cooperation the WDNR administer and maintains a 5 mile hiking/biking trail. The State DNR manages the McMillan Marsh for wildlife habitat and recreation.


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Mead Wildlife Area The Mead Wildlife Area is a 27,139-acre public hunting and fishing area in southern Marathon County, northwest Portage County, and northeast Wood County and 16,491 acres of the wildlife area is situated in Marathon County. The Mead Wildlife Area contains some limited recreation facilities, such as picnic areas, in addition to parking lots and access trails. Plover River Public Fishing Grounds The Plover River Public Fishing Grounds consist of 1,405.8 acres of state-owned land along the Plover River in eastern Marathon County. This land is used to provide public access for fishing along the river. Local Recreation Areas Several of Marathon County’s municipalities have park systems that provide recreational facilities for community residents. These municipal park systems are geared primarily to serve residents within a limited service radius (usually one mile or less). They provide active and passive recreation facilities, and meet many basic recreational needs. Municipal parks complement the County park system, and municipalities should continue to develop them. Development of municipal recreation facilities will increase as municipalities in the county continue to grow. Examples include the Connor Recreation Area and Klemme Properties in the Village of Stratford. However, municipal parks usually do not serve the needs of rural residents and do not contain many of the unique cultural or natural features of County parks (rivers, lakes, fairgrounds, campgrounds, cross-country skiing). Table 15 summarizes the amount of parkland maintained by selected municipalities in Marathon County.

Table 15 Marathon County

Selected Municipal Park Systems* (Summary)

Municipality Total Park Acreage

Cities Abbotsford 20

Colby 16

Mosinee** 25

Schofield*** 38

Wausau** 281

Villages Athens 108

Edgar** 23

Elderon 12

Hatley** 12

Marathon City 39


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Table 15 Marathon County

Selected Municipal Park Systems* (Summary)

Municipality Total Park Acreage

Rothschild*** 6

Spencer 15

Stratford ** 320^

Village Weston** 187

Towns Kronenwetter** 25

Rib Mountain** 36

TOTAL 1,163

Notes: * Municipalities with park systems. ** Municipality with adopted Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan on file with the DNR. *** 1997 County Planning Data. ^ Includes school district playgrounds and forest unit.

Recreation Opportunity Spectrum The Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) is a system of classifying the character and carrying capacity of parks. The ROS system, which was developed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service categorizes parks by their natural character and the degree to which they are developed. These form a continuum ranging from the most primitive in nature to those highly developed by man. Broadly described, these are: Primitive (P) Area is characterized by essentially unmodified natural environment of fairly large size. Interaction between users is very low and evidence of other users is minimal. The area is managed to be essentially free from evidence of human induced restrictions and controls. Motorized use within the area is not permitted. Semi-Primitive Non-Motorized (SP) Area is characterized by a predominantly natural or natural appearing environment of moderate-to-large size. Interaction between users is low, but there is often evidence of other users. The area is managed in such a way that minimum on-site controls and restrictions may be present, but are subtle. Motorized use is not permitted.


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Semi-Primitive Motorized (SPM) Area is characterized by a predominantly natural or natural appearing environment of moderate-to-large size. Concentration of users is low, but there is often evidence of other users. The area is managed in such a way that minimum on-site controls and restrictions may be present, but are subtle. Motorized use is permitted. Roaded Natural (RN) Area is characterized by predominantly natural appearing environments with moderate evidences of the sights and sounds of people. Such evidences usually harmonize with the natural environment. Interaction between users may be low to moderate, but with evidence of other users prevalent. Resource modification and utilization practices are evident, but harmonize with the natural environment. Conventional motorized use is provided for in construction standards and design of facilities. Roaded Modified (RM) Roaded modified setting falls between Roaded Natural and Rural. This setting exhibits more extensive resource modification and use than Roaded Natural. Rural (R) Area is characterized by substantially modified natural environment. Resource modification and utilization practices are to enhance specific recreation activities and to maintain vegetative cover and soil. Sights and sounds of humans are readily evident, and the interaction between users is often moderate to high. A considerable number of facilities are designed for use by a large number of people. Facilities are often provided for special activities. Moderate densities are provided far away from developed sites. Facilities for intensified motorized use and parking are available. Urban (U) Area is characterized by a substantially urbanized environment, although the background may have natural appearing elements. Renewable resource modification and utilization practices are to enhance specific recreation activities. Vegetative cover is often exotic and manicured. Sights and sounds of humans on site are predominant. Large numbers of users can be expected, both on site and in nearby areas. Facilities for highly intensified motor use and parking are available with forms of mass transit often available to carry people throughout the site. The ROS system also recommends activities and levels of development for each park classification that will not negatively impact or degrade the environment or social quality of the park land. In the previous section, existing County park and recreation areas were evaluated and assigned ROS system classifications. These classifications will be used as a guideline in developing the action plan. Specifically, recreational needs identified in the needs analysis section will be matched with parks that have suitable carrying capacity to meet those needs.


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Recreation facilities will be located in areas that are suitable for that facility and activity. The facility, and its resulting use, should not degrade the quality of the environment of the park or recreation. Furthermore, access to the facility or travel to the park in which the facility is located should not degrade the quality of the environment in or around the park. Appendix A contains a more detailed description of the ROS system. Included in the description is a charge that identifies appropriate settings and suitable activities for the range of setting categories within the ROS system. This charge provides the general basis for selecting suitable activities for a given site or environment.

Marathon County Recreation Needs Analysis

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VII. RECREATION NEEDS ANALYSIS The number and type of parks and recreation facilities needed within a county depends on the recreational needs and wants of the residents of the county. Identified recreation needs and wants of community residents provides the basis for justifying funding and maintaining most recreational facilities. These recreational needs and wants can be identified using five distinct methods: 1. Applying acreage standards. 2. Applying service area standards. 3. Applying state, regional, or county quantitative recreational studies. 4. Applying facility use standards. 5. Soliciting local public input. It is important to use all five of these methods in determining the need for additional parks and recreational facilities in Marathon County. Each method focuses on one specific element of recreation. Taken individually, they do not provide an accurate representation of county-wide recreation needs. However, taken as a group, recreation needs and wants can be aggregated and identified, and additional or new parks and recreation facilities can be justified.

Marathon County Recreation Land Needs

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VIII. RECREATION LAND NEEDS Two basic methods of determining the need for additional recreational lands in the county involves analyzing existing park and forest size and location and comparing them to accepted standards. These methods will help determine the need for additional recreation land to serve the recreation needs of County residents. Recreation Acreage Requirements One of the methods of evaluating a county’s recreational acreage needs is to determine the number of people the existing county system serves or has the capacity to serve and then compare it to traditional standards. This is accomplished by assigning an acreage requirement for county recreation areas per 1000 persons in the County. For this plan, the standard of 12 acres active use land/1000 population is used as a basis for determining acreage needs. This acreage should be distributed among County parks and County forests only. Utilizing the acreage standard stated above and compiling the gross acreage totals for County parks and forests only, a gross park and forest land acreage surplus was calculated. Marathon County provides a ratio of 254.5 gross acres of park and forest land per 1000 population (see Table 16). However, using gross total acreage and applying it to one recreation land standard may not be an accurate measure of meeting resident and user need. By comparing the above-stated park standard to the actual acres of active use in County parks and forests, a recreation area acreage deficit was calculated. Marathon County provides only 7.9 acres of active use recreation area per 1000 population, or 4.1 acres per thousand less than the recommended standard. Using this methodology, Marathon County has a 531 acre deficit in County-owned active use area acres. Furthermore, by the year 2020, Marathon County would have an active use area deficit of 665 acres based on population projections. Sixteen municipalities within Marathon County have local park systems that contribute recreation facilities and opportunities to their residents (see Table 15). These 16 municipalities contribute approximately 1163 acres of park land to the County’s recreation base. These local park systems primarily serve residents within a limited service radius (one mile or less), and they do not contain the unique cultural or natural features typical to County parks. These local park systems contribute to the overall recreation opportunities available to County residents, and therefore could be considered in the county-wide recreation acreage supply. If municipal recreation acreage is used in calculating supply, then no deficit is realized either at present or through the year 2020. However, it is important to recognize that this gross acreage method of determining land needs is intended primarily to provide a general indication of overall land needs. This technique does not take into account local standards and preferences nor does it


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address the type, number, distribution or usability of existing recreation lands and facilities. Other methods should be used in addition to the gross acreage method to more accurately determine one’s own specific needs. Several of these methods follow immediately and in Section IX. Recreation Service Area Requirements The second method of evaluating a county’s park land needs and adequacy of service is to plot effective service radii of existing parks and identify areas that are not being served. To measure the adequacy of coverage that the Marathon County park system provides its residents, county park service areas were plotted. Utilizing standard criteria listed earlier, park service areas were mapped for existing County parks in Marathon County. Map 8 depicts the service areas for each park. It is assumed that municipal parks will only serve municipal residents and that state parks and state fish and wildlife areas will not have a local, effective service radius. Map 4 clearly shows the concentration of parks within most of the urbanized areas of the County, particularly near Wausau. Most residents of the County are well-served by outdoor recreation facilities. There is a certain amount of service area overlap which suggests that an adequate amount of park land exists in this immediate area. Since the highest concentration of population is in the Wausau area, it is appropriate that the majority of County park lands is concentrated around the Wausau area to serve those residents. However, there are two areas of the county that have extensive development and are not served by County or municipal parks. These areas, near Spencer/Marshfield and Knowlton/Lake DuBay, could use County parks to serve the recreation needs of area residents. Meeting the need to provide additional active use recreational land in areas currently not served by parks or other facilities can be accomplished in three ways: 1. Developing suitable but undeveloped County owned lands. 2. Acquiring and developing new recreational lands. 3. Cooperative ventures with other units of state and local government. Future Residential Growth Areas It is important to know where future growth is going to occur in the county so as to project future population and analyze existing park service areas. These three factors together become very important when recommending the location and type and future park sites.


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Future residential growth areas in the county are identified in the demographics section of this report. The Marathon County community profile proposes significant growth within the county with the exception of the north western sub area. Table 17 indicates the projected county population and county recreation acreage needs in the year 2020. This table indicates that Marathon County will have insufficient active use acreage to meet future needs based on the 12 acres per 1000 residents standard. Future Park Locations To address the park land acreage and service area deficiencies cited earlier, and to address future growth areas, two County park shortage areas have been identified: 1. The area between Spencer and Marshfield. 2. The Knowlton/Lake DuBay area. Based on recreation land analysis, the need for park facilities in these two deficient areas will grow as they develop residentially over the next 20 years. Hence, the need to provide County park facilities at or near the proposed locations should be an immediate concern of the county, and the best way to provide these facilities should be determined as soon as possible. The first determination to be made is whether land suitable for County park use exists and is available within the identified shortage areas. The second determination is to assess whether the provision of County park facilities is best accomplished at new sites within the shortage areas or by expanding facilities and services at existing County parks in the general area. Appropriate land acquisition, master planning, and development should be scheduled into the County park action plan as soon as these determinations have been made.

Table 16

Marathon County County Parks and Forests

Total County Park and Forest Acreage

32,029

2000 County Population

125,834

2000 # Acres of County Park and Forest Land

Per 1000 County Residents

254.5 acres

Active Use County Park and Forest Acreage

979 acres

2000 # Acres of Active Use County Park and Forest Land

Per 1000 County Residents

7.9 acres


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Table 17

Marathon County Acreage Needs County Parks and Forests Only

Existing Active Use Acres

979

2000 Required Active Use Acres

1,510

Difference

(531)*

2020 Required Active Use Areas

1,644

Difference

(665)*

* Deficit Population 125,834

Population 137,022

Population Source: Wisconsin DOA

Marathon County Recreational Area Needs

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IX. RECREATIONAL AREA NEEDS The third method of determining recreation needs in the county is by using local, regional, and state quantitative recreation studies that apply to the area. These quantitative studies are statistically defensible surveys, polls, and other instruments that help identify user trends, needs, and wants by soliciting user responses to uniform sets of questions. These studies can be conducted by the state, the county, local municipalities, utilities, or interest groups. These studies are very useful since they are a good indicator of recreation needs as perceived by recreational users. SCORP Analysis In an attempt to define the recreational needs and issues at a statewide level the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) developed the 2000 - 2005 Statewide Comprehensive Recreation Plan (SCORP) The plan examined outdoor recreation on a statewide level and identified the following issues facing recreation in Wisconsin. 1. Multiple recreation activities competing for the same limited resources. 2. Changing land uses, ownership and regulations are reducing recreational opportunities

and diminishing resource quality. 3. Financial resources are increasingly strained to meet the cost of operating and

maintaining recreation resources. 4. Overall, people lack outdoor skills and ethics and knowledge of available outdoor

recreation opportunities. 5. DNR should provide leadership in planning for outdoor recreation activities.

Marathon County Recreational Facility Needs

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X. RECREATION FACILITY NEEDS Recreation Facility Design Standards The fourth method of determining recreational needs in a community is to compare facilities to accepted standards or “guidelines”. These standards are recommended by the National Recreation & Parks Association (NRPA) as part of a universal guideline for communities to follow. Standards suggest how many users a particular recreational resource or facility can support each day. These standards are primarily directed toward municipal park systems, but some County park facilities can be appropriately compared to them. Recreation Facility Needs A gross comparison of county-wide recreation facilities to national standards is not necessarily indicative of actual needs. Each County park should have certain “base” facilities to serve the recreational needs of County residents within its effective service radius. Furthermore, new parks to serve the needs of residents who are not currently being served should also contain these “base” facilities. These base facilities support the recreational opportunities described in the County park definition on page 1-4. Each County park should have base facilities that include: 1. Access roads. 2. Parking lots. 3. Restrooms. 4. Open play areas. 5. Water access. 6. Trail systems. 7. Picnic facilities. 8. Drinking water. 9. Accessibility for all users.

Marathon County Recreation Issues

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XI. MARATHON COUNTY RECREATION ISSUES The fifth method for determining recreational needs in the County is to identify and analyze specific recreational issues that are important in Marathon County. The four previous methodologies to determine recreational needs are basically quantitative and general in nature and are very good in identifying general park and forest recreation acreage and facility needs in a community. However, every community has a number of special issues, concerns, and wants that might be reflected in the results of these quantitative methodologies. Specific issues and concerns are identified through public input, input from County staff, and input from interest groups or other agencies. These special issues are then analyzed and reviewed to see if these are actual needs that should be addressed. The result of this analysis is then combined with the recreation needs identified in the previous four sections to become the basis for the action plan and capital improvements program. Water Based Recreation Public access to water remains a major issue in Marathon County. Most of these concerns center around the overuse, uncontrolled use, or inappropriate use and conflicting uses on Marathon County’s major lakes and rivers. Lake Wausau, Lake DuBay, Half Moon Lake, and the Big Eau Pleine Reservoir have a total of approximately 16,201 acres of water area and represent 62 percent of Marathon County’s surface water. These four lakes are the largest in the region (there are no other lakes or flowages of this size within a 60-mile radius), and they present the greatest water based recreation resource for Marathon County residents. Portions of the Wisconsin River and Big Rib River also support a broad range of recreation activities. According to the DNR, “The Big Eau Pleine Reservoir, Lake DuBay, and Lake Wausau are the only waters which are large enough for fast boating.”*?? The many diverse, uncontrolled, and often conflicting recreational demands on the limited resources of these lakes and rivers are increasing annually. In addition to recreational use, other factors contribute to water based problems, such as point and non point source pollution and fluctuating water levels. These problems need to be analyzed, and plans and programs need to be developed to protect the limited resources of the County’s public lakes and rivers. Several qualitative studies have identified that Lake Wausau has a high utilization rate for watercraft and a potential safety hazard from conflicting watercraft types (speed boats, personal watercraft, canoes, water ski boats, sailboards, fishing boats, etc.). Also, there are numerous areas of shallow water, debris, and submerged objects that create safety hazards on Lake Wausau. Currently, the Marathon County Sheriff’s Department provides lake patrols to attempt

*Source: Surface Water Resources of Marathon County, DNR, Madison, WI, 1977.


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to control water traffic on the lake. Primary public access to Lake Wausau is provided at Bluegill Bay County Park and D.C. Everest County Park. Other access points include Memorial Park and Oak Island Park in Wausau, and Kort Street and the Eau Claire River dam in Schofield. The main public access to the Big Eau Pleine Reservoir is at Big Eau Pleine County Park. Wisconsin Valley Improvement Company also maintains a boat launch on the Big Eau Pleine Reservoir and there are a few privately owned launches open to the public. The main public access point on Lake DuBay is at DuBay County Park in Portage County. Additional access is provided at the Consolidated Papers’ boat launch on the east side of Lake DuBay. Portage County studies have determined that: 1. Lake DuBay users come from a three-county area: Portage, Wood and Marathon. 2. Current need for boat launches exceeds current supply. 3. Potential park users want additional access to Lake DuBay; primarily for boating

and fishing. 4. Demand for access to Lake DuBay will continue to increase. Portage County has recently upgraded its boat launch at DuBay County Park. Portage County has no plans to provide additional launches at DuBay County Park due to space limitations. It is anticipated that demand for boat launching opportunities will increase with the continued off water residential development occurring in the Lake DuBay area. Providing adequate, safe water based recreation opportunities in Marathon County is a complex problem. It involves a set of issues that have to be looked at as a whole rather than individually, and potential use has to be estimated based on recreational opportunities and potential regional tourist attraction rather than just demonstrated local need. Water based recreation facilities should be viewed as county-wide and not merely local facilities. To address these issues, Marathon County should provide coordination and technical assistance to municipalities, utilities, and other agencies in their efforts to prepare and adopt lake and river management plans that control public access, use, and safety on county waterways. These management plans would include planned additional park facilities to meet current and future water based recreation needs for local and regional users. These plans would designate who will participate in the funding and administration of each plan. These plans should be incorporated as an element of the CORP so as to provide eligibility for potential state and federal grant in aid funding.


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Specific water based recreation recommendations that are based on identified issues should be included in the Lake Management Plans: 1. Acquire additional park land on Lake DuBay Reservoir (to provide additional

facilities for future users as needed). 2. Control access and use on Lake Wausau to minimize the potential for hazardous

conflicts. 3. Increase safety patrols on Lake Wausau to minimize the potential for hazardous

situations. 4. Develop a river management plan for the Rib River from Lake Wausau to

Marathon City and beyond. The plan should control access and use of the Rib River, identify non-motorized areas, and provide means to control land use and protect natural and scenic resources along the river.

5. Develop a river management plan for the Wisconsin River from Wausau to

Brokaw and beyond.

6. Develop a river management plan for the Eau Claire River from Lake Wausau to County Hwy. J and beyond.

Jurisdictional Roles As indicated in the definition section, parks under different jurisdictional control traditionally offer different types of facilities to serve different types of recreational needs of the residents of the county. Generally, local or municipal parks usually are small, highly developed parks that provide mostly active recreation opportunities, while County park and recreation areas are usually larger, less developed parks that provide mostly passive recreation opportunities. Typically, County parks have 20 percent or less of their area developed with the balance being left in a natural, undisturbed state. Since parks under different jurisdictions will have different roles in meeting recreational needs, these parks will also have different effective service radii or zones of influence, and will also have different types of appropriate development intensity. Generally, municipal parks have a smaller service radius and a higher percentage of its area devoted to active recreation, while County parks and recreation areas have a larger service radii and a larger percentage of its area devoted to passive recreation and conservancy. Furthermore, the features or attractions that make County parks popular are usually natural in character and usually need to be protected from inappropriate use or overuse. It is important, therefore, to make sure that:


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1. Sufficient land is identified, designated, and acquired for use as County park land. 2. County parks, other than special use parks, have no more than 20 percent of its

land base developed. 3. Natural areas are protected from inappropriate and/or damaging development. Municipal level parks, or parks that have a generally accepted effective service radius of one mile or less, provide convenient access for local residents to a variety of active and passive recreation opportunities. These parks often contain a variety of softball, soccer, picnic recreation facilities, and support facilities (parking, restrooms, etc.). These facilities are normally grouped together in a location convenient to users. Municipal parks are usually small, 20 acres or less, and mostly contain features similar to other municipal parks. County parks, on the other hand, are generally larger than municipal parks and are usually developed on a unique site or for a unique purpose. While a County park will usually contain some of the features of a municipal park, a County park will have a larger service area, will also contain something that makes it unique, and will attract users from a wide area. These unique features are typically natural, such as waterfalls, lakes, rivers or mountains, but they can be cultural features, such as a historic site, a golf course, or a ski hill. County parks also can provide specialized services or facilities that can serve a broad population base or large area of the county. There is no generally accepted service area for County parks. A 30-minute service radius has been proposed as a reasonable measure for traveling to a park. Furthermore, exceptional County parks may have features that will attract users from a much greater distance. Some parks, such as the Dells of the Eau Claire Park, attract people from throughout the region as well as from within the county. However, County parks primarily fulfill the recreation needs of county residents, so these parks should contain facilities to meet their recreation needs as well as the unique features that attract regional users. Finally, state parks have unique features that usually set them apart from a County park. State parks have facilities and features that attract users from throughout the state. State park utilization is usually high and state parks are usually open year round. It is important that parks be owned and operated by the appropriate jurisdiction. However, there are county and municipal parks in Marathon County that are not under the jurisdiction of the most appropriate governmental bodies. Marathon County should:


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1. Transfer ownership and control of County parks that do not meet County park definition criteria based on their use (ROS classification) to other jurisdictions that are more appropriate.

Park Destination ROS Classification

- D.C. Everest Park City of Wausau U 2. Accept ownership and control of parklands that meet County park definitions

based on their use (ROS classification).

Park Existing Ownership ROS Classification

- Park Foundation Land Wausau and Marathon County Park Foundation RN

Conservancy The Marathon County Park Department currently does not have a conservancy park classification. Creating a conservancy park classification would allow the county to designate, acquire, preserve, and appropriately develop lands with unique natural, environmental, geological, cultural, or historic features as well as preserving appropriate County owned parks, forests, and other lands. These resources are usually unique and/or endangered and should be protected from inappropriate development. The Marathon County Park Department should create a conservancy park classification and should actively designate and acquire conservancy park land. In addition, the concept of a county-wide conservancy plan was supported at the public meetings held as part of this plan. Activities associated with conservation planning would include official mapping of proposed conservancy areas, development of management plans, and coordination with appropriate County and outside agencies. Conservancy efforts could be enhanced through the formation of a private not for profit conservancy organization. The Marathon County Forestry Department currently has a County forest special use designation which has and can be used to preserve unique resources. Trail Development Hiking/walking/running trails were identified as a high priority need for this area. Also, public input has identified that recreational activities on trails is very important to Marathon County residents. Marathon County should place a high priority on developing a county-wide trail system that provides year-round use for a variety of users. These trails should include barrier free trails, trails for the elderly, and trails of differing length and difficulty. Trail systems could be contained within a County park or County forest or could connect parks and forests along


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abandoned railroad right-of-ways, along highways or waterways, or through lease or easement of private land. It has been recommended that Marathon County Parks should play a leadership role in coordinating and provide technical assistance throughout the metropolitan area for a community wide trail system. ATV Trails All Terrain Vehicle ownership continues to grow in Marathon County currently surpassing snowmobile registrations. Marathon County has 11 miles of year round trail at the Burma Forest Unit and 4 - 5 miles along the partially completed Edgar to Stratford Trail. There is a demand for two different types of ATV access. Residents have requested longer trail systems that offer full or half day rides and an intensive use ATV area designed with jumps, obstacles and the ability for “mudding”. Mountain Bike Trails Marathon County has an intensive mountain bike trail network at Nine Mile Forest Unit. The trails include 10 miles of single track trail and 20 miles of combination mountain bike/snowmobile trails. The popularity of mountain biking has led to a demand for more trails. Unfortunately, the Nine Mile Forest Unit can not accommodate additional trails due to conflicts from multiple user groups. New locations for mountain biking need to be identified with the County’s recreational lands. Lighted Cross-Country Ski Trails In 2000 4 miles of lighting was installed at existing trails in the Nine Mile Forest Unit. The lighted trails are very popular and there is a demand for more lighted trails. Incorporating additional lighted trails at Nine Mile forest Unit would extend the length of the skiing day for enthusiasts and potentially increase use and revenues for this enterprise (self funded) program. Historic Park Facilities Several park shelters and other structures in Marathon County parks (excluding Marathon Park) were constructed by the Civilian Conservancy Corps (CCC) in the 1930's. These facilities are very well maintained and are historically significant. Since they are at least 50 years old, they qualify for nomination to the national and state registers of historic places. Furthermore, their distinctive log and stone construction makes them popular as well as durable. Marathon County should make an effort to: 1. Preserve the character of these existing CCC vintage shelters and structures.


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2. Explore the feasibility of nominating the existing CCC structures for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places.

3. Develop other new park structures in a compatible manner using similar methods

and materials for construction. 4. Provide leadership in preservation of historic rural facilities. Intergovernmental Coordination Currently, recreation facilities and opportunities are offered by a variety of public agencies and private organizations within Marathon County. Public parks are owned and operated by the State DNR, Marathon County Park Department, and individual municipalities within the county. Also, the Marathon County Forestry Department and the State DNR own and operate recreation facilities in County forest lands and in state fish and wildlife areas. Consolidated Water Power owns and operates several passive recreation areas and boat launches on the Wisconsin River and its large flowage in Marathon County. Wisconsin Valley Improvement Company owns and operates a boat launch on the Big Eau Pleine reservoir. The Ice Age National Scenic Trail is managed as a partnership of the National Park Service, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and the Marathon County Chapter of the Ice Age Trail and Park Foundation, Inc. Finally, several organizations own and operate golf courses in Marathon County that afford public access. All these facilities are available for public use. However, administration and operation of the facilities is accomplished by several different bodies independent of each other. Since funding for facility operation and development has become more limited due to tighter budgets, it is very important for the different agencies to coordinate their efforts to provide recreation services and opportunities to Marathon County residents. This coordination, which can be formal or informal, will help ensure that recreation needs and desires are met without duplicating services. The Wausau metropolitan area consists of the City of Wausau, City of Schofield, Village of Rothschild, Village of Weston, and the Town of Rib Mountain. Together these five communities account for 52 percent of the County’s population. Each community has its own municipal park system which add to the 517 acres of County park land within their corporate limits. Many residents of these communities travel to neighboring communities to use park facilities as well as traveling to nearby County parks. Given the concentration of half of the County’s population in a relatively small geographical area, the County should explore the possibility of establishing a metropolitan park system that includes these five municipalities. A metropolitan park system could reduce administration, operation, and maintenance costs while increasing the quality of recreation facilities available to community residents. A current example of the need for such


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coordination is the longstanding inability of the metropolitan area to provide adequate youth soccer facilities. County Forest Land Acquisition Lands within the County forest boundaries or areas of special or unique values shall be recommended to the County Board for acquisition as they become available. A target of 200 acres per year has been established in the Marathon County Forest Comprehensive Land Use Plan (15-Year Plan). Acquisitions will be prioritized to consolidate ownership within established boundaries (blocking) and to acquire unique or special areas for special use classification. Multiple Use of County Forest Lands The Marathon County Forestry Department is directed within its 15-Year Plan to effectively manage, utilize, and sustain County forest resources through planned regulation of activities and designation of land use by zones and special use areas. The Forestry Department will apply principles of sustainable forestry to assure that County forest lands can provide ecological, economic, recreational, and research benefits for present and future generations. County forests will be managed to provide optimum production of forest products together with recreational opportunities, wildlife, watershed protection, and stabilization of stream flow, giving full recognition to the concept of multiple-use to assure maximum public benefits (Wis. Stat. 28.11(1), Purpose). Recreational activities which are not compatible with developed facilities are prohibited. County Forest Programming and Operations User Conflicts and Maintenance of Quality Hunting Opportunities Significant recreation programming and operations issues have been identified. The amount of active, developed recreation on County forest, although small in acreage, can have significant impacts on existing uses. Cross-country ski trails in the Nine Mile Forest Unit have increased hunter access and limited late season hunting opportunities. Expanded mountain biking could limit hunting opportunities in the spring and fall. Hunting is necessary to control expanding deer populations.

Marathon County Summary of Needs

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XII. SUMMARY OF NEEDS A summary of the County recreational needs of the residents of Marathon County identified in the previous four chapters is presented below. The County recreational needs are grouped by the method of analysis used to identify them: 1. Acreage standards. 2. Service area standards. 3. State, regional, or county quantitative recreational studies. 4. Facility use standards. 5. Public input (county recreational issues). Acreage Needs

-Need to provide 531 additional acres of county-owned active use recreation areas to meet current user needs.

-Need to provide 665 additional acres of county-owned active use recreation areas to meet user needs in the year 2020.

Service Area Needs

-Need to provide additional active use recreation facilities in areas of the county currently not served by County parks or forest recreation areas:

• Spencer Area. • Knowlton/Lake DuBay Area. State, Regional, or County Quantitative Recreational Study Needs

-Need to provide additional facilities to accommodate trail use activities: • Bicycling. • Walking/jogging. • Hiking/backpacking. • Birdwatching/wildlife viewing.

-Need to provide additional access to water for various activities: • Swimming (beach). • Fishing.


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Facility Needs

-Need to develop master plans for all major park property.

-Need to provide “base” recreation facilities in each County park: • Access roads. • Parking lots. • Restrooms. • Open play areas. • Drinking water. • Trail system. • Picnic facilities. • Access to water. • Accessibility for all users. Marathon County Recreation Needs

-Need to develop and maintain land management plans for all major recreation land areas.

-Need to develop lake management plans for Big Eau Pleine Reservoir and Lake DuBay.

-Need to develop lake management plans for Half Moon Lake.

-Need to provide park facilities on Lake DuBay focusing on water based recreation activity.

-Need to manage water craft access to and use of Lake Wausau to minimize potential for hazardous conflicts.

-Need to develop river management plan for Lower Rib River.

-Need to develop river management plan for Upper Wisconsin River.

-Need to develop river management plan for Lower Eau Claire River.

-Need to transfer ownership and control of recreation lands and facilities to appropriate jurisdictions.


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-Need to initiate or participate in development of county-wide conservancy plan and develop a conservancy park classification.

-Need to preserve historic park structures.

-Need to cooperate with other governmental units (state and municipalities) to ensure the best return on investment of monies spent on recreational facility development. -Need to provide low intensity water and land based recreation opportunities with limited motorized activity.

-Need to expand availability of recreation facilities and services on a year-round basis.

-Need to cooperate with private sector entities, when appropriate, to meet the recreational needs of County residents. -Need to provide coordination and technical support for a metro-wide river walk. -Need to support a community trail program. -Need to provide ATV trails and intensive use area. -Need to provide mountain biking trails in dispersed locations. -Need to expand lighted cross-country ski trails.

Marathon County Proposed Action Plan

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XIII. PROPOSED ACTION PLAN Introduction The action plan of a Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan consists of a series of actions that, when implemented, will meet existing and future recreational needs of the county identified in the needs analysis, while maintaining the quality of the environment. An Action Plan is typically divided into two categories: (1) County-wide recommendations; and (2) Specific capital improvements. The county-wide recommendations can be implemented by the county, local municipalities, school districts, or nonprofit conservation corporations. Capital improvements to individual parks or forest recreation areas are usually implemented by the agency that has jurisdiction over that particular unit. County-wide recommendations consist of actions that affect the entire county. These recommendations include: staffing recommendations, policy and administration recommendations, land acquisition recommendations, and programs that affect the entire recreation system (such as maintenance policy and revenue policy). Capital improvements are defined as improvements that have a value over $25,000 and a service life of more than seven years. Capital improvements include any buildings or land, regardless of value, and all new programs with an initial cost of more than $25,000. Examples of capital improvements include structures, roads, trails, land, etc. The capital improvement program for each park or forest recreation area is a combination of several types of projects. Generally speaking, capital improvements are ranked in the following manner: 1. Improvements to existing facilities: A. Correct health and safety hazards. B. Upgrade deficient facilities. C. Modernize outdated facilities. 2. Install facilities as deemed appropriate through community response (public

hearing, survey results). 3. Install new facilities as deemed necessary by the Park or Forestry Department. 4. Install new facilities as deemed necessary through comparison to community

standard and NRPA park and recreation standards.


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Specifically, improvements to existing facilities will rank the highest in the capital improvements program, while new facilities are usually ranked lower, according to their relative need in the park or forest recreation area. Improvements that correct health and/or safety hazards are always the highest priority. Improvements that are deemed necessary through comparison to park and recreation standards only are usually ranked the lower. County-wide Improvements I. WATER BASED RECREATION A. Develop Lake Management Plans for Lake Wausau, Big Eau Pleine Reservoir,

and Lake DuBay. These should address the specific needs and problems of each water body. The plans also should identify specific jurisdictional obligations and duties as noted in parentheses.

1. Boating use regulations (Lake District, DNR, Marathon County or

adjoining municipality or township). 2. Safety/enforcement regulations (Lake District, Sheriff’s Department, or

DNR). 3. Regulation of access permits (Lake District, Marathon County or

adjoining municipality, DNR). 4. Water quality monitoring (DNR/Reservoir Operator). 5. Fish stocking program (DNR). 6. Beach/swimming regulations (Local Park Jurisdiction, County Health). 7. Future park developments (Lake District, Marathon County, DNR,

adjoining municipality). B. Develop specific management plans for other Marathon County lakes and river

corridors, including the Wisconsin River, Big Rib River, and Eau Claire River. These plans will be similar in scope and management to the lake management plans developed for Lake Wausau, Big Eau Pleine Reservoir, and Lake DuBay, but generally on a smaller scale. (Marathon County, adjoining municipality or township.)

C. Develop additional water based recreational facilities on the Wisconsin River,

Lake Wausau, and Lake DuBay. (Marathon County, adjoining municipality or township.)

II. RECREATION LAND ACQUISITION/DISPOSAL A. Transfer ownership and control of some County parks to other jurisdictions.


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1. D.C. Everest Park (To City of Wausau). B. Transfer ownership and control of other recreational lands to the County park

system. 1. Park foundation land in Town of Easton (80 acres). C. Provide additional active/passive use park land to serve developed areas not

currently served by County parks and to meet current and future recreation needs. 1. Lake DuBay area - Sell or exchange Ashley Park to acquire land on the

main body of Lake DuBay with better water based recreation potential. D. Acquire and develop additional specialty use park or recreational land to meet

identified needs. 1. Regional sports facilities such as soccer. 2. Multi-purpose trails (private/public sector). 3. Boat launches on the Wisconsin River and Lake DuBay. 4. Historic/cultural/natural features (public sector). 5. ATV (private/public sector). 6. Horse trails. E. Acquire additional land for existing County parks. 1. Rib River Conservancy 220 acres Lands adjoining the Rib River between Sunny Vale County Park and Lake Wausau. 2. Dells of the Eau Claire 120 acres Lands adjacent to the Eau Claire River extending east of the existing park

including NE ¼, SE ¼ Sec. 7 and NW ¼ SW ¼ Sec. 8 of T29N-R10E. 3. Mission Lake 5 acres High land overlooking the lake and wetland adjacent to the south

boundary of the park in the NE ¼, SW ¼ Sec. 36, T27N-R9E. 4. Trappe River Dells 8-16 acres Acquire ½ to 1 mile of 66’ wide road R.O.W. for park access


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5. Cherokee 30 acres Woodland adjoining the park on both sides of the Big Eau Pleine River in the N ½, SE ¼, Sec. 14, T28N-R2E. 6. Rib Falls 20 acres Land between the park and the Rib River in the E ½, SW ¼, Sec. 21, T29N-R5E. 7. Wisconsin River Forest Unit 50 acres 43 acres adjacent to the parks primarily in SE ¼, SE ¼, Sec. 11, T30N,

R7E. 6 acres for road access to the 182 acres of park west of the Wisconsin River. About 1 acre between the east park boundary and the railroad R.O.W. in NE ¼, NW ¼, Sec. 13, T30N-R7E.

8. D.C. Everest 5 acres Acquire Govt. lots 2 and 6 lying north of the park, east of S. 3rd Ave. and

south of Imm Street. 9. Big Eau Pleine 14 acres Acquire inholdings along the west shore of the park in the following areas in T26N-R5E

• NW ¼, SE ¼, Sec. 2 • NW ¼, NE ¼, Sec. 11 • SW ¼ , NW ¼, Sec. 12

10. Sunny Vale 53 acres Acquire land between the south park boundary and the Big Rib River in

Section 6 of T28N-R7E and Section 1 of T28N-R6E. F. Acquire land and/or easements for new trails.

1. Wausau to Merrill Wisconsin River Trail 60 acres G. Dispose of land. 1. Wisconsin River Forest Unit 2 acres (Requires DNR Approval) Dispose of land east of County Hwy W in SE ¼, NW ¼, Sec. 13, T30N-R7E.


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III. EAU CLAIRE RIVER CORRIDOR CONSERVANCY/RIB RIVER CORRIDOR CONSERVANCY/UPPER WISCONSIN RIVER CORRIDOR CONSERVANCY - ACQUISITION/PRESERVATION

A. Develop and adopt policy and guidelines for identifying, acquiring, preserving,

and appropriately developing environmentally, historically/culturally significant land.

B. Participate with other public and private agencies in the creation of a county-wide

conservancy plan. IV. PARK DEVELOPMENT A. Develop/revise park master plans for individual parks to meet current and future

recreation needs. B. Review and revise, as appropriate, the facility use policy for County parks to

maximize utilization and return on investment for groups that use the parks for specialized recreational and athletic events.

1. Hockey. 2. Figure skating. 3. Curling. 4. Racing. 5. Rodeos. 6. Circuses. 7. Fairs. 8. Group picnics. 9. Company picnics. 10. Expositions. 11. Shooting sports. 12. Disc golf. C. Develop Wisconsin River Forest Unit Park.


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V. TRAIL DEVELOPMENT A. Develop, in conjunction with the County Forestry Department and other agencies,

a county-wide trail system plan that optimizes year-round/coordinated multi-purpose trail development and maintenance.

1. ATV trails. 2. Bridle trail. 3. Interpretive trails. 4. Barrier free trails to hiking trails. 5. Cross-country skiing trails. 6. Snowmobile trails. 7. Mountain bike trail. 8. Lighted trails. 9. Hunter/walking trails. B. Develop operations plans for County trail systems. 1. Trails may be user supported where practical. C. Coordinate with other public agencies and private groups to complete the

Marathon County segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail.

D. Develop extensions to the Mountain-Bay State Park Trail that will connect the trail to the urban areas of Wausau, Schofield, Rothschild, Rib Mountain, and Kronenwetter.

E. Develop Wausau to Merrill Wisconsin River biking/pedestrian trail. F. Develop the following metro area biking/pedestrian trails On Road Projects: 1. North Bridge and associated roadways (Decatur to Evergreen) 2. 28th Avenue (Hospital to CTH K) 3. Rib Mountain Bike Route (McCleary to Eagle) 4. Fox Glove and Azalea (Bike Bridge Path to CTH KK) 5. Rothschild Streets (River Park to Military Rd.) 6. Margaret and Alderson (Cedar Creek to Weston Avenue) 7. Weston Avenue and Ryan Road (Alderson to Mountain Bay Trail)


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Off Road Projects: 8. McCleary Bridge 9. Hwy 51 Rib Mt Scenic Easement (Eagle to Morning Glory) 10. Trillium Lane CTH N to Military Avenue 11. WI River Bike/Pedestrian Bridge 12. WI River/Cedar Creek Trail (Military to Margaret) 13. Eau Claire River Crossing (Ross Avenue) Wide Shoulders: 14. CTH KK (CTH N to Mosinee) 15. CTH NN (Rib Mtn Drive to Ski Hill) Areas To Look At: Weston to Wausau Connections (Northwestern Ave./Rail Corridor) East Side Routes (CTH X) Inter-Urban Connections (Wausau to Schofield to Rothschild) Trail Heading North along WI River VI. COUNTY FORESTS A. County Forest Programming and Operations Proposed actions are based on issues identified through public meetings and staff input. 1. Regulation and enforcement.

The Forestry Department will coordinate enforcement of regulations with the Park Department for:

a. ATV use. b. Illegal trash dumping. c. Mountain bike use. d. Equestrian use. e. Hunting regulations.


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2. Coordinated planning. The Wausau and Marathon County Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department will coordinate its land purchases with other agencies to develop green corridors. The Wausau and Marathon County Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department will also assist with county-wide land use and conservancy planning.

3. Recreation development. a. Facility access and maintenance.

The Wausau and Marathon County Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department will develop adequate road access and appropriate parking support facilities desired by the public. This may include paved access roads and parking. The Wausau and Marathon County Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department will plow outlying parking lots for winter access, particularly in the Burma Road and Kronenwetter Forest Units.

b. User fees, trail development, and conflicts.

The Wausau and Marathon County Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department will propose user fees to support active recreation maintenance. The department will also consult with the Forest Citizen’s Advisory Subcommittee on new developments and potential user conflicts.

B. County Forest Land Acquisition

The Wausau and Marathon County Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department will propose land acquisition to consolidate ownership within established county forest boundaries and provide for public recreation. Acquisition of other unique or special areas will be pursued within the guidelines of the County Forest 15-Year Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Each County forest unit has acreage to be acquired. The acquisition target is 200 acres per year for the duration of this plan.

Improvement Program for Individual Parks County Parks I. Amco Park A. Pave road and parking lot. B. Construct trails.


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II. Ashley Park A. No improvements pending potential sale or exchange. III. Big Eau Pleine Park A. Install shower building. B. Relocate ranger station. C. Reconstruct campgrounds to meet current needs. D. Prepare Land Management Plan. E. Expand trail system. F. Develop new mountain biking trails. IV. Big Rapids Park A. Pave internal roads and parking lots. B. Bridge evaluation/repair V. Bluegill Bay Park A. Prepare Master Plan

The master plan may include items such as: Dredge lagoon and replace all culverts with bridges.

Install park boundary fence. Develop enclosed rentable shelter with associated amenities. Move park nursery and redevelop for day use recreation.

VI. Cherokee Park A. Acquire additional land and install trail on east side of river. B. Provide bridges over river at north and south ends of park. VII. Dells of the Eau Claire Park A. Acquire additional land. B. Convert main shelter to interpretive center. C. Relocate campground.

D. Upgrade trails. E. Convert “Beach” residence to interim interpretive center and park manager

quarters at conclusion of existing occupancy agreement. VIII. Marathon Park A. Continue rehabilitation of historic structures.


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IX. Mission Lake Park A. Develop Land Management Plan. B. Acquire additional water frontage land. C. Complete new picnic area with open play space. D. Develop new hiking trails. E. Construct new reservable shelter. X. Rib Falls Parks A. Acquire land. B. Complete lake excavation. C. Finalize development plan for park. XI. Shooting Range Park No pending improvement as Shooting Range is near build out. XII. Sunny Vale Park A. Develop Land Management Plan. B. Trail development. C. Canoe launch. D. Realign road system. E. Complete new picnic area. F. Develop campground. XIII. Sunny Vale Softball Complex A. Install underground irrigation in ballfields. B. Pave parking lots. C. Construct sixth diamond. XIV. Wisconsin River Forest Unit Park A. Prepare Management Plan, including Borrow Pit Plan. B. Install boat launch on east bank of river. C. Install passive recreation facilities. D. Develop multi-purpose trails and historic/interpretative trail. E. Develop artificial lake for swimming. F. Develop swimming and picnic facilities on lake. XV. Trappe River Dells Park A. Acquire access to park. B. Prepare Master Plan.


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XVI. Mountain-Bay Trail A. Provide link to urban area. B. Trailhead development.

C. Prepare Interpretive Plan. XVII. Upper Wisconsin River Trail A. Land acquisition. B. Trail development. XVIII. McMillan Marsh Trail A. No improvement planned at this time. XIX. Rib River Conservancy A. Acquire ownership/easements. B. Develop master plan. C. Develop access points and trails.


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Improvement Program for Individual County Forest Units I. Bern Wetland A. Acquire land for unit expansion. II. Burma Road A. Acquire land for unit expansion. III. Elderon Forest Unit A. Acquire land for unit expansion. IV. Hewitt-Harrison Forest Unit A. Acquire land for unit expansion. V. Kronenwetter Forest Unit A. Acquire land for unit expansion. VI. Leather Camp Forest Unit A. Acquire land for unit expansion. VII. Nine Mile Forest Unit A. Acquire land for unit expansion. B. Expand lighted trail. C. Pave parking lot for winter access. VIII. Ringle Marsh A. Acquire land for unit expansion.

marathon county comprehensive outdoor … · bettye nall robert wiesman william gamoke jim...

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