POLK COUNTY — The Parks & Trails Department welcomes Tony Nowak as the Parks & Trails Supervisor. Mr. Nowak is coming to Polk County from the village of Greenville, Wisconsin, with over 20 years of experience serving as their first Director of Parks, Recreation and Forestry. Nowak was born and raised in Milwaukee, and spent many summers growing up hiking, camping and exploring area parks. He has degrees from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point in Urban Forestry and Forest Recreation.
“With our two kids graduated from high school and starting their own adult lives, my wife Debbie and I decided the time was right for me to pursue this exciting opportunity with Polk County,” said Nowak. “I am excited to join the Parks and Trails team in continuing to enhance the parks and trails for the enjoyment of all.”
Mr. Norwak joins a team that has undertaken and accomplished many projects over the past few years. In time for Memorial Day of 2023, the Polk County Department of Parks & Trails (DoPT) went live with a new online system to purchase camping site reservations for the Apple River Campground, and state trail passes for biking, skiing, skating, and horseback riding. And in 2022, the DoPT completed the installation of new playground equipment at D.D. Kennedy and Lotus Lake parks, and the construction of a new parking lot with lighting in Wanderoos for all users along the Gandy Dancer Trail.
Alongside these accomplishments, however, two developments stand out within the DoPT in terms of their scope.
One of these undertakings was the 2023 improvements to D.D. Kennedy Park. D.D. Kennedy, a 99-acre environmental area preserve located between Amery and Balsam Lake, is one of the County’s flagship parks. The DoPT was directed to further develop, enhance, and maintain the cross-country ski trails and amenities at D.D. Kennedy. The DoPT has since completed the replacement of old park benches, the replacement of the walking bridge, added a brand-new three-sided warming shelter with a fire ring for skiers within the park, and begun the construction of new bathrooms near the main parking area and educational building.
Another large project that is in the works in the DoPT is the development of a 60-acre ATV intensive park in Sterling. Built entirely on county forest land, this park will serve ATV riders of all skill levels throughout the county. It will feature a 1.25 acre sand pit, and three miles of new trails encompassing a beginners’ course, a challenge course, and an ATV/UTV track. Conceptually, the park was modeled after a similar ATV intensive park in Dyracuse, Wisconsin, and the DoPT will apply for a number of DNR grants to subsidize the project. The DoPT hopes to complete the project within one to three years.
Many of these improvements that are being made to the County’s parks and trails originated in the Parks and Trails Advisory Group (PTAG). PTAG was a special committee appointed by the County Board of Supervisors in 2020 to identify recreational initiatives for County parks and trails, and out of an initial 30-40 projects suggested, thirteen projects were prioritized, resulting in the Polk County Comprehensive Trail Network Plan. This plan is a long-term guiding document that aims to ensure the equitable distribution and development of recreational assets in Polk County. It seeks to create a coherent and connected trail system that serves people of all ages, abilities, and recreational interests.
To read the Comprehensive Trail Network Plan, or to learn more about Polk County’s Parks & Trails, please visit www.polkcountywi.gov/parksandtrails.
Last Update: Apr 10, 2024 11:51 am CDT
