Paved Walkway Project

In June 2026, 240 feet of crushed granite paths that connected the visitor center parking lot with the Menzel Pavilion and Pankowski Friends Amphitheater were replaced with concrete paved walkways to improve accessibility. A 45-foot-long paved accessible pad for seating was also added to the top of the amphitheater hill with a new paved access ramp. The Friends of Schmeeckle wrote two community grants in 2025 to fund the $45,000 project.

The project significantly increased the ability of visitors to access these community facilities. It continues the Friends priority of improving accessibility in Schmeeckle Reserve.

Project Background

When the Pankowski Friends Amphitheater and Green Circle Trailhead projects were being planned, the team decided that a crushed granite surface trail between the parking lot and facilities would be sufficient for accessibility. While the surfacing met ADA standards, some people with mobility disabilities still struggled to walk or wheel on the sometimes loose surface and slopes. During the summer of 2025, board members Jerry Lineberger and Gary Speckmann observed several visitors having issues on the trail during a music series. They discussed the initial concept of replacing the trail with a concrete walkway that would make it easier and safer for people to navigate.

Board member Ross Rettler, a project manager at the Rettler Corporation, generously volunteered to draw up a site plan for the project.

Bids for the project were solicited in November and December 2025. The Friends selected Sobczak Concrete Masonry out of Junction City to complete the work.

To fund the project, Jerry Lineberger submitted grant requests to two local community organizations. The Friends group was honored to receive a $40,000 grant from the Seramur Family Foundation and a $5,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin, which was enough to cover the entire cost of the project.

Project Status

Phase 1: Amphitheater Access

On June 2, 2026, the Sobczack Concrete Masonry crew began work on the paved walkway project on the south side of the Green Circle Trail around the Pankowski Friends Amphitheater. The 110-foot-long sloping granite pathway that led to the bottom of the amphitheater on the east side was excavated and hauled off-site. It was replaced with a 5-foot-wide ADA-accessible walkway. As an addition to the original project scope, the Friends decided to also replace the ramp leading up to the stage with a 5-foot-wide concrete path.

The crew also excavated a new 6-foot-wide by 45-foot-long flat seating area at the top of the amphitheater hill, which provides options for people with disabilities to choose their sitting area for watching shows and presentations. A 5-foot wide, 45-foot-long ADA-accessible ramp was also excavated to provide access from the Green Circle Trail to the seating area.

A short 8-foot-wide by 15-foot-long apron on the south side of the Menzel Pavilion (north side of the Green Circle Trail) was also excavated for paving.

For all of the walkways, a 6″ layer of dense graded base was compacted as a solid foundation for the concrete. Wire mesh was laid to add strength. A 5″-thick layer of concrete was poured on June 9 and 15.

The Green Circle Trail itself remains a crushed granite surface. The granite was resurfaced by the contractor for a smooth transition between the concrete and the trail.

Phase 2: Pavilion Access

On June 16, 2026, Sobczack Concrete began work on the walkway that connects the paved parking lot with the Menzel Pavilion. They excavated the 90-foot-long crushed granite trail, again using heavy machinery to remove the old granite from the site. A 6″ layer of dense graded base was compacted in place. Wire mesh was laid for added strength. A 5″-thick layer of concrete was poured on June 19 and 22.

Phase 3: Landscaping

On June 23, 2026, the Friends of Schmeeckle volunteer trail crew began work on landscaping around the concrete walkway. Extra gravel and concrete were removed from the edges. Black dirt was hauled, raked, and seeded with grass around the amphitheater. Schmeeckle student staff planted native prairie grass seed around the walkway to the Pavilion to blend with the rest of the Zimmerman Prairie restoration. Erosion mat was installed on the slopes to stabilize the soil. Volunteers reinstalled split rail fence along the walkway at the beginning of September.

Photo Gallery

Click the albums below to view photos of the paved walkway project in progress!