Moses Creek Meadows Trail, Boardwalk, and Viewing Deck

Moses Creek Meadows is a 33-acre natural area donated to the Friends of Schmeeckle by John and Patty Noel in 2021. Located on the west side of Yulga Park in the Town of Hull, the site features a forest of towering oak and pine trees and a pristine wetland sedge meadow. The wetland is part of the headwaters of Moses Creek, which flows through Schmeeckle Reserve on its way to the Wisconsin River. A rich diversity of plants and animals call this area home. Click here to learn more about the significance of this property.

After acquiring the property, one of the main goals of the Friends group was to make the area more accessible to visitors through the construction of trails, boardwalks, and a viewing deck.

Fundraising for the project began in 2021. The boardwalks and viewing deck were completed in December 2023. A grand opening for the project was held on May 19, 2024. Click here to view a list of donors.

Project Results

The Green Circle Trail was rerouted through the wooded portion of the property in spring of 2022, generously funded by donations to the Green Circle.

In 2022-2023, Friends of Schmeeckle volunteers dedicated hundreds of hours to construct trails, boardwalks, and a viewing deck to make the wetland more accessible to visitors. This included:

• An accessible 400-foot crushed granite trail that leads from the Green Circle to the edge of the wetland
• A 250-foot boardwalk over Moses Creek and a wetland to a forested island
• A 200-foot crushed granite trail on the island that leads to the viewing deck
• A 100-foot accessible boardwalk ramp that connects to the viewing deck
• A 20-foot by 8-foot elevated viewing deck that provides beautiful views of the expansive 160-acre sedge meadow wetland; click to view a concept design

In summer 2024, volunteers also installed:

• Wooden benches on the viewing deck
• Educational signs that interpret the significance of wetlands, Moses Creek, and the wildlife and plants that depend on this unique habitat
• Durable viewing scopes that reveal close-up views of wildlife and the wetland landscape

A Grand Opening Celebration was held for the trail, boardwalk, and viewing deck project on May 19, 2024. Over 50 community members joined the celebration to recognize the efforts of our dedicated volunteers and to thank the many donors who made this project a reality.

Click the albums below to view the project at different stages.

Moses Creek Meadows Trail Map

The map below shows the trails, boardwalks, and viewing deck now open to the public on the Moses Creek Meadows property.