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Property Story
In October of 2018, the Willow Creek property was officially acquired by Glacial Lakes Conservancy (GLC) from the City of Sheboygan. The evolution of this property transfer and preservation plan has been a multiple year process involving many important team players including: GLC, City of Sheboygan, Town of Sheboygan, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), and many invested government and community stakeholders.
Funding for the purchase of this property was secured from the Sheboygan River Natural Resources Damage Assessment (NRDA) settlement. These funds were established with the purpose of restoring natural resources that have been previously degraded by the discharge of hazardous substances into areas such as the Sheboygan River.
This property includes 143 acres of undeveloped land positioned west of Taylor Drive, between Indiana Avenue and Erie Avenue. Willow Creek traverses this property and is a tributary to the Sheboygan River Area of Concern. This prominent feature has given rise to the name Willow Creek Preserve.
GLC’s intention is to protect and restore this property's ecological value and to allow passive recreation for public enjoyment. Currently, there are footpath trails that exist as remnants of old farm access paths. These trails will be loosely maintained to support gentle exploration of the various habitats and wildlife that can be found here.
Future plans for this property have been, and will continue to be, guided by stakeholder input and our new (2023) Land Management Plan which will include but are not limited to: restoring the creek to support natural and native fish reproduction, invasive plant species management, wetland protection, monitoring of waterways and wildlife and so much more! Willow Creek Preserve will be a site to keep an eye on in the coming years as GLC prepares for many large projects; from wetland scrapes, installation of a Regenerative Stormwater Conveyance System, creation of animal habitat, and many more hopeful plans down the line.
With time, sustainable planning, and community partnership and support, this property will provide an urban oasis that will be forever protected and available for public enjoyment and education for current and future generations.
Funding for the purchase of this property was secured from the Sheboygan River Natural Resources Damage Assessment (NRDA) settlement. These funds were established with the purpose of restoring natural resources that have been previously degraded by the discharge of hazardous substances into areas such as the Sheboygan River.
This property includes 143 acres of undeveloped land positioned west of Taylor Drive, between Indiana Avenue and Erie Avenue. Willow Creek traverses this property and is a tributary to the Sheboygan River Area of Concern. This prominent feature has given rise to the name Willow Creek Preserve.
GLC’s intention is to protect and restore this property's ecological value and to allow passive recreation for public enjoyment. Currently, there are footpath trails that exist as remnants of old farm access paths. These trails will be loosely maintained to support gentle exploration of the various habitats and wildlife that can be found here.
Future plans for this property have been, and will continue to be, guided by stakeholder input and our new (2023) Land Management Plan which will include but are not limited to: restoring the creek to support natural and native fish reproduction, invasive plant species management, wetland protection, monitoring of waterways and wildlife and so much more! Willow Creek Preserve will be a site to keep an eye on in the coming years as GLC prepares for many large projects; from wetland scrapes, installation of a Regenerative Stormwater Conveyance System, creation of animal habitat, and many more hopeful plans down the line.
With time, sustainable planning, and community partnership and support, this property will provide an urban oasis that will be forever protected and available for public enjoyment and education for current and future generations.
April 10th, 2023 Stakeholder Meeting
April 4, 2022 Stakeholder Meeting
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