Welcome, everyone, to Midday Magazine for this December 15th, 2023.
Have your host, James J. Mailoff here.
We're very happy and excited to welcome in,
friends of ours from the Wood County Parks and Forestry Department.
We have Chad Skully, Parks and Forestry Director with us. Chad, good to see you.
Hello, good to be here.
Thanks for being here, Chad.
And Stacey, uh, oh, wow.
Clay for it.
Clayton, how did I say it?
How do you say that?
How do you?
Clayton.
Clayton.
Clayton.
Stacey, you can mess up my last name.
All you want, it's really easy to do.
It's a really easy one to mess up.
But Stacey, thank you very much for being here.
Stacey is the office supervisor over there at the Parks and Forestry Department.
Thanks for having me.
Uh, very happy holidays to you and yours.
But all you guys, thanks for being here.
And, uh, I mentioned this to Pam.
I mentioned to you guys in our pre-game.
We got to have you on more often.
It's been too long since we had our Parks and Forestry Department on.
We talk about you guys all the time, uh,
especially in our good stories that the day we're encouraging people to do
local events and stuff.
There's always great things going on.
And if you don't mind,
I'd kind of like to start there with Powers Bluff.
And some of the great things going on over Powers Bluff.
Where would you like to start with that chat?
Sure.
I think we can start out with just some of the projects that we've been completing
and some of the future projects that we're looking at.
Sounds good.
So, what's new this year over at Powers Bluff?
Yeah, so over the last, uh, about two and a half years,
we've been putting some new trails up at Powers Bluff.
So in 2012, uh, Wood County acquired, uh,
joining property, uh, 223 acres to the north of
the old 160-acre park.
And so the purpose of that really was to, uh,
develop into more recreational opportunities for people.
And, uh, over the last two and a half years or so,
we've been putting in multi-use trail,
which is currently now, uh, after completion,
is a gravel surface trail, um,
and we actually have about three miles of multi-use trail in right now.
In addition to that, we also hired a contractor starting last year,
to put in basically mountain bike trail at that location.
So, really cool system out there.
It has, uh, a different degree of difficulty.
This past fall, we actually, the contractor completed the two very,
what I would consider very technical downhill segments.
I'm not a bike rider, uh, as far as mountain biking goes,
um, thinking about getting into it,
crazy enough at my age, but, uh, yeah,
the trails look pretty awesome.
But those, those were, uh, completed this fall.
So, um, that basically brings the total number of miles to about, uh,
five, almost six miles of mountain bike trail.
Nice.
And, uh, like, see why you're looking at again?
Yeah, yeah, because it's, uh, it's very,
very cool.
So, those are some projects that have been completed up there.
Those are, uh, exciting projects.
I imagine, and you guys have been in these positions for a while,
and so I imagine that it's, it's a long time coming.
It's got to feel really good to have these projects.
You mentioned 2012.
This has been a while when building this up.
It really has.
You know, I've, I've been in the director position since 2008.
So, it has been a while and we've done a lot of planning, uh,
four powers bluff since that point.
There's a lot of playing that was done prior to me coming as well.
So, it is really cool to see a lot of these projects come to fruition, um,
ultimately.
So, how are, uh, how are things looking over a powers bluff?
How are the hills?
How is everything looking over there as far as this time of year?
Yeah, so, um, you know, powers bluff has, has been known for a long time as a
tubing destination and or skiing.
Um, so we're waiting for snow.
Yes, we don't, we don't currently have snow making equipment or anything like that.
But, um, all the signs are up, uh, all the equipment is checked ready to go.
We just, we just need some snow as far as that goes.
As soon as Mother Nature does, you know, gets in the gear here and everything,
we'll be up and ready to go, uh, going and, uh, honestly, I have to be honest with you, Chad.
I didn't hear much after tubing.
I miss tubing.
I love tubing.
Having got to do it in a long time.
So that it's a lot of fun.
It is, it's, it's one of the funnest parts about powers bluff over there.
There's, uh, other things to do too, though, uh, when it comes to this time, uh,
a, a season like this where we don't get the snow right away.
You mentioned the bike riding trails.
There's other things as well.
Yes, so, um, you're exactly right.
You know, we don't have enough snow to groom the multi-use trail.
So I can kind of go over some of the different uses out there on the trail system.
Yeah.
So in the, in the winter months, when we have sufficient snow in the multi-use trail is groomed,
uh, we do restrict a little bit as far as who can use that, right?
Um, it takes a lot of time and effort to prepare and groom those trails.
Um, so we really need the public to kind of play along.
Yes.
So those trails at that point would be open to, um,
snowshoeing.
We set tracks for cross-country skiing.
And then on the side, uh, side of that trail, um, is actually, um,
allowed for fat tire biking.
So that's the multi-use trail out there, um, as far as, uh, mountain biking trail, uh,
that is most of the trails are actually groomed by a volunteer, um, and he is a part of the
Friends of Powers Bluff Group.
And so that individual last winter, um, groomed about four miles of trail, um, for fat tire biking.
Nice. So that's pretty cool.
It's a nice, nice, hard surface and things like that.
So again, um, we just asked that individuals.
I know people love to get outside and hike and things like that.
But unfortunately when they hike with their, their snow boots on groomed trail,
it really does, uh, do damage pretty quickly.
And it kind of ruins it for other intended users, right?
So, um, it's tough, but we need to kind of separate users in the winter.
Time like that.
Right.
And there are paths for that.
There are places for that.
There are, um, and actually up at Powers Bluff, we've got, uh, um, up on the, uh,
older part of the hill, we, we have a trail system.
It's our nature trail.
Potawatomi trail is what it's called.
Potawatomi nature trail.
And that's not groomed or anything like that.
But that is open for snow shurs.
People can hike on that, um, and things like that.
So we just ask that people kind of separate, you know, where, where they're going.
It makes me, uh, it makes me think of a couple of things that we have that we need to,
you know, every time this time, it's just time a year, Sheriff Becker joins us
in one of the things him and I really hit on his snowmobiling and, and being respectful of
people's lands.
Uh, you know, we, this is, uh, it's not a birthright.
It's something that we, it's a privilege that we have.
And it's something that you can lose if we misuse these lands.
People take that land away.
Uh, it happens more and more every year, unfortunately.
This is one of those things where we need to respect and appreciate that part of this,
you know, the power's bluff, uh, and, and use it for its intended purposes.
So that other people can use it.
It's not, I'm not asking a lot here.
And there are other spots for you to use for the, the, uh, shoes,
shoe walking and all these other things that are fun.
Snow-shoeing and everything.
I'm really showing my city boy roots right now.
I'm like, I, the thing you do with the shoes and the snow.
I have done that before.
It's a lot of fun.
Um, I, I want to get into that a little bit with you guys now,
as far as power's bluff and the other things that are available.
And Stacy, if you don't mind, uh, put you on the spot.
I mean, ask you questions.
Uh, uh, Stacy, uh, power's bluff, uh, shelter can now be rented, correct?
Uh, you can rent power's bluff shelter over there right now?
Yes, typically it's not open in the winter,
but this year during the weekday, we're opening up to parties that want to use the shelter
and bring their own sleds and the toll lines won't be working.
So you have to go hiking back up to the top to ride back down again,
but the shelter's available to warm up and we can even have our concessionaire come in
and make some hot chocolate and some snacks and your group can
too for the day or sled for the day.
Uh, and that's same, that's one of those things that you probably want to plan
ahead about, get ahead of, uh, you know, reach out to you guys.
Uh, whenever you know that you're going to need it as soon as you can.
Yeah, for all our group parties at power's bluff, we ask for about two weeks
so we can get the schedule, um, so the guys can get their schedule
send, we can get things ready for it.
Cici, when it comes to, uh, you know, working at the, the, the,
being in the office supervisor over there, what are some of the bigger, uh, or more,
consistent questions you get, uh, in that position?
Uh, about power's bluff.
Uh, recently we've actually been asked a few times, people looking for ideas for gifts for
Christmas, um, a lot of, uh, I have enough you and I don't know what to get
of her Christmas, but do you have like a season pass for
players bluff?
And that's typically something we've never offered before.
So we are coming out this year with a 10 punch card that you can purchase
and it doesn't have to be, if you've got two nephews,
they don't each need their own.
One family can use one card.
It's just each punch is a toe ticket.
Very cool.
That's a really cool idea.
Um, was that something you guys have been talking about for a while,
or just kind of came about in the last year or so?
It just came about more recently.
Probably something that was always in the back of our minds,
but more recently with people asking questions,
we just kind of brainstormed together and I bring it up because something
and we've only been talking for a couple of minutes,
but in previous conversations and this one,
I think the audience picks up on this as well that power's bluff is run by the people.
You know, you guys are really all about that and really very adamant about,
yeah, what do you guys need?
What is it that you're the people out there that are going to use power's bluff?
What do you want to use?
What are you going to enjoy?
And coming up with things like a punch card or something like that really shows
how much it's really paying attention to what the community wants,
what the community is looking for out of it.
And it's also tough too with something like this.
I imagine Stacey where we don't know when Mother Nature is going to bring us that snow.
I mean, we think we know and whether I,
whether people give us a great heads up on these things always,
but you just don't know when that's going to happen.
So I imagine that this time of year can be a little bit rocky when it comes to that as well.
Just in the building, you know, getting ready for all of this.
How do you guys use this time while you're waiting for Mother Nature to get in the gear here and
give us some snow?
Is there anything, is there just extra planning?
Is there preparing or anything like that?
Or just kind of like taking a breath right now and getting ready for the madness that's going to come?
Probably just preparing everything with power's bluff being our thing right now.
We also have to look forward to the summer season with our camping and our shelters and it's
under the year fiscally.
So there's always something to keep us busy.
Yeah, yeah.
You mentioned the punch card.
How can people find out more about those or purchase one?
They can call our office.
We're in Monday through Friday 8 to 4 and they can order on the phone with a credit card.
They can stop in and see us at the Riverblock building and pay with cash or check.
And they will be available on the hill when we have open sessions.
When it comes to power's bluff and when we are going to be using it this year,
is renting equipment available over there for tubes and different things, Chad?
Yeah, so the tube hill along with your tow ticket there are tubes provided, right?
So that's just a given.
But the ski and the ski hill is kind of a beginner bunny hill.
We have very limited equipment.
So we have a few snowboards.
They're just a standard, you know, use your own boot with the straps on there, you know,
kind of a lower key snowboard.
And we do have some youth sizes as far as skis and ski boots.
But we do recommend, you know, for people if they do have equipment to bring their own equipment.
Because like I said, we don't have much up there.
Yeah, so I've talked to some people recently that are new to the area,
that are enjoying the area, they moved here out of state and everything and have been enjoying the
place. But they're new to a lot of the events and different things we have in this community.
And when I mention them, hey, this Friday, I've got the the gang from Parks and Recton,
I know with us and everything.
And we're going to be talking about power's bluff.
Ooh, their eyes just lit up.
What's power's bluff?
That sounds really cool.
First, the name is amazing.
It's such a great name.
It's going to catch people's attention.
But if you had somebody like that, Chad's coming to you, hasn't heard of power's bluff,
what would you tell them first about power's bluff?
How would you explain that to that?
What would you tell them about the area?
Oh, man, that's a tough one.
That's a tough question.
So that park is there are so many aspects of it, right?
We didn't even touch on this, and it could be a whole different show.
But there's such a historical history, historical aspect of that.
As far as different Native American communities that actually lived up there,
there are two documented cemeteries up there.
There's some ceremonial dance rings within that park.
And I didn't touch base on that as far as future projects.
But I am currently working with Potawatomi Ho Chiang, as well as a professor from the UW-Stevens Point
on really coming up with a good historical signage plan for up there.
And our intention is next year of finalizing that project and putting information up there.
Because that's a part of that park that a lot of people don't know.
They might know a little bit about it, but it's just such a very,
very unique aspect of that.
So that's part of it, but then obviously the recreation that we've been talking about as far as
a trail system, the tubing scheme, things like that. And then there's the more than natural
beauty of the park. So that park has certain plant species that really aren't found anywhere else,
either in Wisconsin or in this area. If you go out there in the springtime, it just explodes with
the wildflowers. Falltime is beautiful with all the colors just popping, things like that. So it's
there's a little bit for everybody. And so someone new coming to the community asking about
Power's Bluff, I guess it'd probably be a long conversation. It'd be a good one.
I have to warn you, Chad, you may have messed up. I'm a huge history nerd. We're going to have
to bring you back. It's just a whole show on the history of Power's Bluff. I would love to get
into that. The project that you touched on, I don't know when I get into more future projects with
you as we're wrapping up, but that project you're talking about is not only really important.
For many, many obvious reasons, I would think to our listeners, but it's also very timely with the
state. Wisconsin has been doing a lot to keep the history, whether it's Native American language or
Native American traditions, a lot of those things, really working very hard to keep those intact.
And a project like that fits with that theme, really fits with things. And if there's, you know,
I'm not, I'm a transplant. I'm not from here, but if there's one thing that I've learned in the
20s, I've lived in Wisconsin, Wisconsinites are proud of being Wisconsin. And they're proud of
Wisconsin. And one of the things that they're most proudest of is its history. And that's history,
baby. That's your history. That's Wisconsin history right there. So that is a fascinating and really
cool thing to be able to offer while also it's just being kind of one of these things that's
almost in the backdrop of all this. We're going to have that conversation. I've warned them,
Stacy. I warned him. He's going to have to come back. I want to get it more into that. But before
we do one day, let's talk about future projects. Oh, you mentioned that one right there. There are
other things in the works. Yeah. So specifically at Power's Bluff, we haven't gotten the official
paperwork yet, but hopefully we'll get it soon. But we have been tentatively awarded a DNR
stewardship grant. It's a partial funding grant. The county would offset the remainder of that. But
basically in combination with all these new trails, we're looking at building a trailhead shelter
building. So it would be multifaceted portion of it would be enclosed and it would be year-round,
rentable for different community events. But there'd also be exterior kind of covered open
shelter aspect of it with restrooms, things like that. That would really be geared towards year-round
trail users. It sounded like a year-round thing. Yeah. Yeah. So that's very exciting. If everything
goes as planned, that's something that we'd be looking at next year, breaking ground for.
The Highway Department, County Highway Department, obviously they're co-workers of ours,
but they do a lot of projects for us within the parks. And they just recently completed
the entrance road and parking lot to that trailhead location on the new property. And so it'll
be paved next year, but right now it's basically gravel surface. So very exciting. And that's
Powers Bluff. A few other projects that we're looking at upcoming next year or within next couple
years. Southwood County Park within the next probably a couple weeks if they haven't done so already,
they're bringing equipment in. But we did get a grant through FEMA, federal and state emergency
management for a new storm shelter at that location. So I'm sure you're aware, but we have a lot of
different events out at Southwood County Park, state ski show. That's the largest one that we
host every year, but there's a lot of different events throughout the year. And unfortunately,
state ski show, not annually, but oftentimes comes along with a large storm. Yeah, it's a
scene to happen with storm season. So there is a storm shelter that will be constructed
adjacent to our open shelter at that spot. Another project that we've got coming up is we're
going to start planning for secondary campground at Southwood County Park as well. Really?
Kind of staying within that park. Also, so to the east of Red Sands Beach, we have a relatively
large pine plantation. And that's always been kind of a location there that we've thought.
You know, Southwood County Park actually has the least amount of campsites out of all three of
our campgrounds. Interesting. If we had more, we would we would fill them. I mean, it's just very
yeah, definitely in demand. So that's that's something we're going to start planning for as well
coming up here. So that I don't know if I've heard anything about that. That may be a little bit
of breaking news right there. So thank you for that. I appreciate it. That's not only interesting,
but that I think too. I'm sure there are some people out there hearing that that are thinking
the same thing. It's great for our community. We're going to make use of that as you said,
but that also speaks to the for lack of a better way to put it, the health of the economy in here
in this state, in this area and in how things are going here. It's not to say that things are all,
you know, unicorns and rainbows and everything, but things are a lot better than they could be or
had been maybe in previous years. That's a that's a healthy sign right there of something like that.
That's that feels good to hear something like that too. I think just outdoor recreation in general.
There's a huge huge boom during the pandemic. And it has leveled off somewhat, but it's still
it's still up there as far as usage. Our campsites are seeing it, our trail usage, our shelters.
So there's a demand out there. And so it's it's good that we're able to provide those
opportunities for for the public. Yeah. We're speaking with Chad and Stacey from the Wood County
Parks and Forestry Department and Chad, these projects that you mentioned, all great ideas.
These things that they come from noticing a need in the community or something they were just ideas
that just kind of sprung forward. Yeah. So we do we try to do it every five years.
outdoor recreation, a plan, right? A comprehensive plan. And a part of that process, we're actually
going to start that again next year. Seems like it was just yesterday. So part of that is putting
a survey out, getting feedback from the public as far as what their wants are. And so
Powers Bluff, a lot of that development really was spurred off of just interest in additional
trails in the county. We really we really weren't into the mountain biking end of things prior to
that. But there there was a certain vocal portion of the public that said, hey, let's really
utilize that terrain. Let's get out there and get some trails in and things like that. So
that's probably the main drivers that five year parks recreation, outdoor
spaces plan. Yeah. And you mentioned the survey and I thought that might come up. And I wanted
to make sure to hit on that because whether it's the Parks and Forestry Department or other
organizations when they send these surveys out, I think a lot of us as as community members, we
kind of, okay, and then you just keep moving and everything. But it's really important you fill
these things out. Usually takes a minute or two tops of your 24 hour day. And it gives vital
data to two people like our Parks and Forestry Department so they can make decisions like this.
And we get nice things, you know, it seems like a good reason to fill out, you know, spend two
minutes of your time filling out a survey. When you get these surveys, it really encourage you to
fill them out. Right. Absolutely. You mentioned a wonderful volunteer that helps out with the trails
over there. And I want to send a shout out to that person and thank them. And I want to send a call
out to anybody out there. Are you guys always looking for volunteers or could always use volunteers
over at the Parks and Forestry Department? Yeah. So we have multiple volunteer groups that we work
with on an annual basis. But absolutely. If there's anyone that is interested, I will kind of put
a shout out just because it's, you know, they've been in existence since the early 2000s. But
they're getting more ramped up again. And that's the Friends of Powers Bluff. And so obviously
with the additional trail and things like that, our staff, you know, we don't have the ability to
inspect trail as much as we'd like to. So we really kind of, we rely on those volunteers,
trail users, park users to kind of be our ears and eyes and all that good stuff. But also to go out
and actually volunteer on trail maintenance and things like that. So if you're interested in
in something like that, contact our department. But Friends of Powers Bluff is a great group to join.
What's interesting about that is it's not only just trail maintenance, but also, you know,
they have aspects of preserving the history of the park, getting information out there as far as
the environmental aspects of the park and things like that. So one of the double check, they do
have a Facebook page. The Friends of Powers Bluff encourage you to, if you have a Facebook
of profile, go ahead and jump on there like their page to find out more that way. If people want
to volunteer, they want to know more about some of the things we've talked about. How can they get
in touch with you guys? How can they find out more? Stacey? We have a Facebook page as well.
A lot of information on our website. And you can always call the main office at 715-421-842-2.
Nice job. Nice job. So we kind of threw that one at her. She knocked it out, nicely done.
And the website you can go to, of course, we encourage to check out as well, woodcountywi.gov. You can
find all of the parks and forestry department and some of the things we've talked about today
right there. And again, like that Facebook page, it's a great way to keep up to date on everything.
You guys did too good of a job. You're going to have to come back. I apologize, but
looking forward to it already. I want to wish you both happy holidays to you and yours,
and thank you again for everything you do in our community. All right, appreciate it. Thank you
very much. Yeah, thanks for having us. We'll have more Midday Magazine for you next week right here
on 975 FM 1320 AM WFHR. We are locally grown radio.
