Green Circle Trailhead

Menzel Pavilion, part of the Green Circle Trailhead

Green Circle Trailhead

The Green Circle Trailhead project, located near the Schmeeckle visitor center, was developed as a partnership between Schmeeckle Reserve and Portage County. The trailhead serves as a gateway for visitors to explore the trails and habitats of Schmeeckle and the Green Circle. The Friends of Schmeeckle coordinated much of the fundraising for the $900,000 project.

Constructed in 2020, the project includes:

The trailhead was funded through a Wisconsin DNR Stewardship Grant and generous donations.

Why a trailhead?

The 27-mile Green Circle Trail is heavily used by residents and out-of-town visitors. Based on studies conducted by Schmeeckle Reserve interns, an estimated 125,000 people use the trail annually. In 2015, about 70% of trail users surveyed were from the local area (within 15 minutes), 22% were from elsewhere in Wisconsin, and 7% were from out-of-state. Despite all the use, the Green Circle didn’t have a designated trailhead or starting point, which was confusing especially for out-of-town visitors. Since Schmeeckle Reserve has a visitor center and free parking, many trail users already started their adventures here. However, when the visitor center was closed, there were few amenities available. An official trailhead provides a convenient and practical starting point for people to explore the Green Circle and Schmeeckle Reserve.

Project components

The trailhead consisted of four major enhancements:

1. Menzel Pavilion picnic shelter

A beautiful, open-air shelter was built along the Green Circle Trail just a short walk from the Schmeeckle visitor center parking lot. Surrounded by prairie, the shelter features picnic tables and a towering double-sided native sandstone fireplace. A patio on one side of the fireplace provides an outdoor gathering area adjacent to the shelter. Stone columns and large timbers hold up a cedar roof with a unique open feel. The shelter is ideal for picnics, classes, programs, and gatherings.

John and Patty Noel generously donated $250,000 in funding to build the shelter. Per the Noel family’s request, the shelter was named the Roy and Margaret Menzel Pavilion. Roy was one of the founders of the Green Circle Trail, and both he and Margaret were well-known civic leaders in the Stevens Point community for decades.

Paul Anderson, an architect with Alliiance in Minneapolis who designed the Pankowski Friends Amphitheater in 2018, also developed the designs for the trailhead shelter and restroom. Many design elements are shared among the three structures, including native sandstone from the Krukowski quarry near Mosinee, large glulam timbers made out of smaller boards glued together, cedar shingle roofs, and metal rods used in place of more traditional roof tie beams.

Beautiful ash tables and benches were handcrafted by Friends of Schmeeckle volunteers over the winter of 2021, providing seating for up to 60 people under the shelter.

The Menzel Pavilion is available to rent for group gatherings. Click here for more information.

Concept design for plaza (click for larger view)
Menzel Pavilion after construction (click for larger view)

2. Sentry Plaza gathering area

A circle entry plaza, located adjacent to the main parking lot, serves as a gathering area and focal point for visitors. The plaza was constructed out of decorative concrete. Shaded sandstone seats around the edge serve provide resting areas. A bicycle repair station, donated by the Hostel Shoppe, is available for last-minute fixes and tweaks. A bicycle rack and drinking fountain are available for users. A rustic interpretive kiosk, to be constructed in spring 2022, will provide information about Schmeeckle and the Green Circle Trail for planning adventures.

The Sentry Insurance Foundation generously donated $125,000 in funding to build the plaza area and other project components. The Sentry golf course, SentryWorld, is located just north of the site.

Concept design for plaza (click for larger view)
Plaza after construction (click for larger view)

3. All-season Restroom Building

A cedar clad restroom building, constructed off of the Sentry Plaza, provides access to toilet facilities even when the visitor center is closed. The all-season building is insulated and heated. Two accessible, lockable all-gender rooms are available. The design of the building features beautiful cedar siding both inside and out, vaulted ceilings, glulam timbers, and a cedar roof with tubular sky lights. A bicycle repair station, drinking fountain, and bike rack are located just outside.

Concept design for restroom (click for larger view)
Restroom after construction (click for larger view)

4. Overflow Parking Lot

With the construction of the trailhead and amphitheater, parking was needed for additional visitors. As part of the project, a gravel overflow parking lot was built to the east of the existing paved lot to accommodate up to 60 vehicles. The lot was designed to minimize impact on the natural landscape. The one-way loop design reduced its overall footprint. A shallow retention wetland was excavated in the middle of the loop to catch runoff. The retention basin was planted with native vegetation, and native trees were planted throughout the lot to provide shade and screening.

Concept site plan for trailhead (click for larger view)
Overflow parking lot after construction (click for larger view)

Partnerships

The Green Circle Trailhead project is a unique partnership between Portage County and the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. It is a county-owned facility on state university land.

In 2016, the Green Circle board was approached by a private donor, John Noel, who was interested in funding a shelter for the trail. This idea was built into a larger project to create an official trailhead for the Green Circle. The Schmeeckle Reserve director, in conjunction with the Green Circle board and Portage County Parks director, wrote a Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Grant through the Wisconsin DNR to fund $370,401 of the project cost. Portage County submitted the application in April 2017. The grant was awarded in May 2018.

Portage County is the fiscal agent for the grant and coordinated the entire bidding and construction process. Portage County and the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents signed a Construction and Land Use Agreement that allowed the county to build on university property. After construction, the county will own and insure the buildings for 25 years (per the grant requirements). The university will maintain the buildings and pay for all utilities. After the 25-year period, the county will donate the buildings to the university.

The Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve and the Green Circle Trail board contributed substantial funding toward the project, and the groups will assist Schmeeckle Reserve in maintaining and developing the site in the future.

Bidding and construction

Construction of the trailhead took place in 2020. The Rettler Corporation in Stevens Point served as the project manager. Altmann Construction, based in Wisconsin Rapids, was hired as the general contractor.

Construction Timeline

  • December 19, 2019: Bids opened
  • December 2019-February 2020: Bids reviewed, contracts drawn up, approvals through Portage County
  • February 2020: Altmann Construction selected as the General Contractor for the project
  • March-April 2020: Tree clearing in the parking lot and restroom areas by Kyle Kluck Excavating
  • May-November 2020: Construction of Menzel Pavilion, Sentry Plaza, restroom building, parking lot, and trail; prairie areas seeded
  • November 2020: Pavilion and restroom opened to the public
  • January-April 2021: Picnic tables and benches crafted by Friends of Schmeeckle volunteers
  • April 2021: Final punch-list items completed
  • August 20, 2021: Grand opening celebration (delayed due to COVID)
  • Spring 2022: Information kiosk will be installed

Photo gallery

Click the albums below to view photos of the trailhead under construction

Project Donors

A special thank you to the generous donors who made the Green Circle Trailhead at Schmeeckle Reserve a reality! The trailhead was the result of a unique partnership between the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and Portage County. Supported by a $370,401 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Grant, the project was constructed on university state land using funds managed through the county’s parks department. Portage County will retain ownership of the buildings for 25 years, at which point they will be donated to the university.

The following individuals, families, and businesses graciously donated funding toward the Green Circle Trailhead project:

Founders ($250,000)

  • John and Patty Noel Family, for the Roy and Margaret Menzel Pavilion

Patrons ($125,000)

Partners ($30,000-$50,000)

Sponsors ($10,000-$15,000)

Supporters ($1,000-$9,999)

Donors (up to $999)

  • Susan Foote-Martin and Mark Martin

Renting the Menzel Pavilion

The Menzel Pavilion is available to rent for private and community events. Click here for more information.