Moses Creek Viewing Deck

Moses Creek Meadows viewing deck

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 opened for use in December 2023. Join us for the Grand Opening Celebration on May 19, 2024! Click here to RSVP.

Project Status

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 donated 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 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

Click the albums below to view concept designs and photos of the boardwalk and viewing deck being constructed.

In spring of 2024, volunteers will also install:

  • Educational signs that will interpret the significance of wetlands, Moses Creek, and the wildlife and plants that depend on this unique habitat
  • Durable viewing scopes that will reveal a close-up view of wildlife in the wetland

Join us for the Grand Opening Celebration on May 19, 2024! Click here to RSVP.

Site Map

The map below shows the trails, boardwalks, and viewing deck on the property.

Click the map above for a larger image

Donors

This project couldn’t have been possible without our generous donors! Over $39,000 was raised between June 2021 and July 2023 to support the cost of materials for the trails, boardwalks, and viewing deck. The Friends of Schmeeckle volunteer crew donated hundreds of hours of labor to construct the project. A special thank you to everyone who contributed!

Pathfinders Level ($5,000-$9,999)

  • Active Portage County
  • Friends of Schmeeckle volunteer crew (donated hours)
  • Jerry Lineberger, in memory of Susan
  • Noah and Andrea Zimmerman

Explorers Level ($1,000-$4,999)

  • Jim and Melinda Check
  • Michael and Beverly Gross
  • Mitzi and Bernie Hlavac
  • Joseph and Charlene Jarabek
  • Erik and Debbie Lacey, in honor of Evelina and Bronson
  • Dan and Donna Marx
  • Stu and Meryl Lee Nelson
  • Jean Wypych-Quinsey
  • Timothy L. Taschwer Trust
  • Ron and Donna Zimmerman

Supporters Level ($500-$999)

  • Aldo Leopold Audubon Society
  • In memory of Stephen R. Bondeson, from the Bondeson family
  • Michael and Patricia Dombeck
  • Alan Engebretson
  • Jack Hurrish and Joan Karlen
  • Lynne Kagelmann and Loren Holdorf
  • Sonja Kung
  • James and Nancy LaMar
  • Rick and Sharon Rothman
  • Anthony Smith
  • Marti and Greg Sowka
  • Chris and Kaila Thompson
  • In Memory of Ryan Wood from the Belden, Bertrang, Brown, Guthrie and Soller Families
  • Richard and Lynn Wyman

Donors Level (up to $499)

  • Karen and Karl Aldinger
  • Ying Liu Chojnacki
  • Barbara Dixson and Alan Smith
  • Megan and Troy Espe
  • Steve Faber and Jackie Meyers
  • Timothy and Susan Halkowski
  • Martin and JoAnne Katzmarek
  • John and Patricia Kedrowski
  • Erik and Debbie Lacey, in honor of Evelina and Bronson
  • Luci Liebe
  • Ernst and Anna Neuenfeldt
  • Jan Osterndorf and Jim Connor
  • Eileen Payne
  • Kimatha Phillips