Friends of Wyalusing State Park

FRIENDS OF WYALUSING STATE PARK TO CELEBRATE SMOKEY BEAR’S 74th BIRTHDAY

The Friends of Wyalusing State Park will sponsor a special event in Smokey’s honor on August 4, 2018, 6:00 P.M. at The Peterson Shelter in Wyalusing State Park. Smokey Bear’s Birthday Party will start with a parade through the Wisconsin Ridge Campground (overlooking the Wisconsin River), led by Smokey Bear himself. All area children and campers are invited to participate in the parade, either on foot or on bicycle. In addition to the parade, the true story of Smokey Bear will be told. Refreshments will be provided, including a Smokey Bear Birthday Cake, complete with candles. All children will receive Smokey Bear Activity Books as well as other Smokey related items.
Bruce Klang, president of the Friends of Wyalusing State Park encourages local residents to pack a picnic and spend an day at one of Wisconsin’s most scenic state parks. “The festivities should conclude just in time to watch the sun set from the beautiful bluffs high above the Mississippi River”, said Klang.
A state park admission sticker is required on all vehicles.

Wyalusing State Park is located over 500 feet above the confluence of the Mississippi and Wisconsin River. The park contains 2600 acres including stunning bluff views, river wetlands, bluff-top forests, and home to hundreds of species of plants and animals including 284 distinct bird species.
The logo for Wyalusing State Park and The Friends of Wyalusing State Park features the Kentucky Warbler and Chinquapin Oak tree.
Within the park boundaries, three threatened species: Cerulean and Kentucky Warbler and Acadian Flycatcher can be seen throughout the summer. All are more southern species that nest along the steep slopes of this park.
During the spring and summer, the rolling song of the Kentucky Warbler can be heard throughout the forests. The Kentucky Warbler spends most of its time on the ground in moist, leafy woodlands in search of insects. Despite its bright colors, it can be surprisingly hard to see in the shadows of the deep forest interior.
The Kentucky Warbler winters in the tropics of central Mexico and the Yucatan Penninsula. A group of Kentucky Warblers is collectively known as a "Derby" of warblers, perhaps, because it is named for the state in which it was first discovered in 1811, by Alexander Wilson.
The Chinquapin Oak, a Wisconsin Special Concern plant. It is native to eastern and central North America, ranging from Vermont west to Wisconsin and south to South Carolina, western Florida, New Mexico, and northeastern Mexico from Coahuila south to Hidalgo. It is very rare in Wisconsin, barely reaching the southwestern corner of the state on a few very dry sites near the Mississippi River. Chinkapin oak is generally found on well-drained upland soils derived from limestone or where limestone outcrops occur. Occasionally it is found on well-drained limestone soils along streams.

As with most visits to Wisconsin State Parks, the first sign park visitors see, is a sign designating the area as a Wisconsin state park. New visitors often stop at the welcome sign to photograph family members next to the sign.

Some new visitors enter the park having looked at the Wisconsin State Park Website. Some might even have researched further by looking at The Friends Website.

But what would happen if a park visitor focused the camera of their mobile device at the state park sign

and, not only saw the sign but superimposed over the sign, a small directory appeared and deer appeared?

That’s what augmented reality is! When the “physical world” and “digital information” are combined, an “augmented reality” is created. This combination is called an “aura”. The aura is triggered by a sign, a photo, or an object.

Wyalusing State Park is excited to be the first Wisconsin State Park to offer our park visitors a tour using augmented reality.

This program is sponsored by the Friends of Wisconsin State Parks (FWSP).

Throughout the park, the Friends of Wyalusing membership pamphlet, and the park newspaper you will find several areas in which to experience augmented reality with “HP Reveal”. Wyalusing State Park currently has over 20 auras. Click here download brochure.

HP Reveal is a free mobile app for any web-enabled device that helps to create an “augmented reality”.

It’s easy to get started

Download the free app “HP Reveal” for your wireless device. (https://www.hpreveal.com/)
After the free app has been downloaded, view the five(5) window tutorial.
Next, it will ask you to either sign in or create an account. If you do not want to create an account at this time you can choose to skip this step by tapping “skip”.
When you see the screen with the dancing dots....click on the bottom "A" Icon.
In the "Explore" screen, select the magnifying glass on the bottom icon bar.
On the "Search HP Reveal" type in “fwsp”; then, select "Done".
Select "fwsp’s Public Aura's".
On the next screen, select "Follow".
On the bottom icon bar, select the middle icon; it looks like a window.
You are done. You can now use HP Reveal to view Wyalusing State Park’s auras.

Test Augmented Reality Out!

Open HP Reveal on your mobile device.
Click the view button at the bottom of your screen to take you back to the viewing screen. The view button looks like the corners of a square.
Aim the HP Reveal viewfinder at the image below. Watch what happens.

Does a small orange rectangle appear? Now tap on the rectangle. If all goes according to plan you should be viewing a map with locations of most triggers.

Please note: This is not a perfect system. The app is dependent on having an internet connection to work. Additionally, the viewfinder can be finicky. Although we have tried to choose objects that work 100% of the time, a change in lighting or another uncontrollable factor can cause the app to be unable to recognize the image. When the app is not able to recognize the image the overlay will not appear.

By Bruce Klang
Friends of Wyalusing President
2017 marks the centennial year as a state park here at Wyalusing. The Friends of Wyalusing State Park would like to welcome all visitors to explore and enjoy your park and appreciate its history.
We are a private nonprofit organization dedicated to .enhancing the interpretive and recreational experience of visitors to the park. We provide funding for much of the interpretive projects, information, and programming here at Wyalusing.
As we look back we know that this beautiful park would not be possible without the dedication of many people over the years.
Starting in the l860's, a young man named Robert Glenn not only dreamed of but strived to make this a special place for future generations. The forward-looking Wisconsin state legislature decided, in the first decade of the 20th century, that this area needed to be preserved. Paul Lawrence, the first park manager, worked his entire career to make that dream a reality.
On to modern day where many dedicated professionals and volunteers continue to preserve and protect that heritage and your park.
You can be a part of the next 100 years at Wyalusing. We welcome you to join our efforts to give back to your park. Please pick. up a brochure at the park visitor center or visit us online at http://www.wyalusingfriendsorg.
Your support will help Wyalusing State Park continue to be an inspiration to future generations of visitors like you. While you are here at the park please drop by the concession stand located adjacent to the Peterson shelter building. The concession is operated by the Friends of Wya1using State Park and proceeds from sales go back into the park for interpretive needs. We are also the first state park friends group to establish an endowment fund with the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin. Your contributions to this fund will live on indefinitely, providing growth to be used for interpretive activities. You can learn more by picking up a brochure at the visitor center, the concession or our Website.
Many people come to Wyalusing and leave inspired. A few turn that inspiration into assistance for this magnificent place. It is our sincere hope that you truly enjoy your stay here at Wyalusing and hope that our efforts have enhanced your experience. (To enlarge image, click on it.)

Augmented reality(AR) will not replace a personal visit to Wyalusing State Park. No photograph or a change, in reality, can top the feeling of standing on an overlook 500 feet above the Wisconsin River, watching Turkey Vultures soaring and circling on currents of wind.

Crawling through a cave located within a bluff cannot be replaced by augmented reality. Listening to the echo of a waterfall can never be replaced by augmented reality.

Using an internet enabled device app equipped with a camera, visitors can walk through Wyalusing State Park, see videos, historical photographs, trail information, and park information presented as an overlay on their live screen. These applications use GPS and image recognition technology to look up data from an online database called HP Realty.

Almost all of our readers have seen augmented reality. The lines on a football field showing how many yards to go is augmented reality. Perhaps some of our readers participated in the Pokemon craze; that was augmented reality.

The future has arrived at Wyalusing State Park. Get the free app called HP Reveal for your internet enabled device. Come out to the park and enjoy the sights and sounds of reality. Maybe, try out a bit of augmented reality on your visit. Either way, enjoy your state park.

For additional information please follow this link: https://goo.gl/TTPBu8

Wisconsin state parks, forests, recreation areas, and trails offer some of the best scenery in the Midwest. Visitors escape the reality of the work-a-day and enjoy the natural wonders of state parks.
Visitors to Wyalusing State Park, in the driftless area of southwest Wisconsin, can even add a little extra - Augmented Reality(AR). Augmented reality has long sounded like a wild, futuristic concept, but the technology has been around for years. AR is all about superimposing computer-generated images on top of your view of reality, thus creating a composite view that augments the real world.
Today, handheld web-enabled devices are used to find a decent coffee shop, to make shopping less of a chore, to meet up with friends, or whatever it may be. Using the online information to enhance real life has come to Wyalusing State Park.
Wyalusing State Park was one of four areas recommended for state park status in 1911, by the Nolan Commission. It formally became a state park in 1917. At that time, it was called Nelson Dewey State Park – named for Wisconsin’s first governor. It was renamed Wyalusing State Park when Nelson Dewey State Park, near Cassville, Wi, became a State Park.
The Civilian Conservation Corps and the Work Progress Administration have played a very important part in the development of Wyalusing state park. In 1935, Camp Nelson Dewey began operations. The camp consisted of officers quarters, barracks, mess hall, latrines, infirmary, recreational hall, and supply depot.
There are many informational signs commemorating the feats of the CCC and WPA at Wyalusing state park. With the assistance of an Augmented Reality App for your handheld web-enabled device- HP Reality (formerly Aurasma) these signs “come to life”. Watch and listen as Don Kasparek describes life in a CCC camp, or Neal Kephart, a former superintendent of Wyalusing, tells about the influence of the CCC and WPA.

What do you need?
Al that is needed is an internet capable mobile device and an APP. The name of the free app is HP Reveal. The app was formerly called Aurasma. The second thing needed is to know when and where to point the camera. The app has small icons showing the locations in the park. The third thing needed is maybe a little patience. “This is not a perfect system. The app is dependent on having an internet connection to work. Additionally, the viewfinder can be finicky. Although we have tried to choose objects that work 100% of the time, a change in lighting or another uncontrollable factor can cause the app to be unable to recognize the image. When the app is unable to recognize the image the overlay will not appear.” said Paske
“We hope you visit as many of our Wisconsin state parks, forests, and trails as you can. Experience the reality and the Augmented Reality.”
Here is a link to a brochure: https://goo.gl/TTPBu8

Park Naturalist Programs

Coffee and a History Perk

Date: June 16, 2018
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Activities: Program

Location: Wyalusing SP

Bring your coffee mug to get caffeinated and hear some history! Wyalusing State Park and the surrounding area is steeped with nods to the past. Hear a short talk of the explorers that ventured to the Wisconsin and Mississippi River Confluence, in search of expanding the fur trade. Meet at Point Lookout, black coffee available until supplies last. The talk will last about 10-15 minutes, stay and enjoy Track Matching at 10:00 a.m.

Track Match

Date: June 16, 2018
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Activities: Drop-In Program
Location: Wyalusing SP

Could you make it as a trapper and fur trader? Test your animal tracking skills by seeking out nearby tracks and identifying them with the correct animal. See what you might earn with a fine fur for trading. Meet at Point Lookout.

Pine Cone Feeders

Date: June 16, 2018
Time: 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Activities: Drop-In Program
Location: Wyalusing SP

Feed your bird-neighbors with your very own take home pine cone feeder. What birds might you attract? Drop in at the Peterson Shelter. Thank you to the Friends of Wyalusing for sponsoring this program

After a few days of closure due to high water levels, Wyalusing State Park has reopened the Water Trail.
Wyalusing State Park and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service maintain a canoe/kayak area in the backwater of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge.
Paddlers can travel North and South from Wyalusing State Park boat landing, though Glenn Lake and Woodyard Slough.
Paddlers traveling North can follow a marked trail through Woodyard Slough to the main channel. and back to the boat landing.
Woodyard Slough is only accessible by canoe or kayak. It is the most scenic. The trail section is 'upstream' from the boat landing through Glenn Lake. The current is generally slow with few exceptions in narrow parts of the stream. Look for blue and white trail signs.
The canoe/kayak water trail offers a unique way to see the waterfowl, aquatic plants, and diverse animal life of the river bottomlands.
Visitors rent canoes/kayaks at the Concession Stand in the Peterson Shelter on Wisconsin Ridge. Canoe/kayak rental includes paddles and life jackets. A key to the padlock is also provided. Canoes/Kayaks are accessed at the Wyalusing boat landing on Glenn Lake.
Glenn Lake is most conducive to fishing. Paddlers will share the southern part of the lake with fishing boats.

More Information: http://www.wyalusingfriends.org/2014/07/glenn-lake-wood-yard-slough-canoekayak.html