Door County State Parks Challenge

The Friends of Potawatomi State Park and park staff seek to update the old ski hill overlook near the Eastern Terminus of the Ice Age Trail through the addition of an open-air park shelter and updated parking. This location in the park offers panoramic views of the Green Bay shoreline from the top of the old ski hill. The new shelter will be an ideal gathering place for families, visitors, and hikers alike. 

The Friends of Rock Island State Park are enhancing access to the upper great lawn with the addition of a new ramp. The project also includes retaining walls that will serve as amphitheater seating, improving both accessibility and the overall visitor experience. By replacing the steep and uneven gravel road, the park will become more welcoming and inclusive for all visitors, including residents, tourists, and individuals with mobility challenges.

The Friends of Whitefish Dunes, park staff, and local Tribal groups are collaborating to redesign park exhibits with a focus on Native cultural history. New indoor and outdoor displays will highlight the ecological, geological, and cultural landscapes, featuring traditional Oneota-style buildings, tools, pottery, and more, with input from Tribal partners to create unique exhibits.

The Friends of Peninsula State Park announced the completion of the first phase of the new mountain bike trail system. The BLUE loop consists of 7 miles of professionally designed and built MBT features.

Newport Wilderness Society, the Friends Group of Newport State Park, is using the funds raised to enhance the park’s dark-sky viewing area, improving accessibility and the overall visitor experience. Plans include a new path to protect sensitive dunes and provide safe access for all, a two-tiered natural stone seating area, and dark sky-compliant lighting used only during programs. Additional improvements include upgraded telescope pads and a solar-powered equipment shed that supports accessible programming.