Friends of Wyalusing State Park

Wyalusing to Host Volunteer Jamboree 2017

Point Lookout - Wyalusing State Park

Wyalusing State Park (Location) is hosting the 2017 Volunteer Jamboree September 24-26th.

All Wisconsin State Park System volunteers are invited to attend this fun, educational and social gathering.

Join in the fun with campfires, picnics, and informative discussions while we celebrate the volunteer program.

Registration

You should have received a registration form via the parks you have been a camp-host or volunteered at.

Lodging

Electrical and non-electrical campsites are available free of charge. Alternate lodging is available in the area, but the cost is not covered.

Food

Sunday- Pot Luck - Please bring a dish to pass.
Monday - Continental breakfast, box lunch, dinner
Tuesday - Continental breakfast

Activities at the park - Monday Morning

Guided walk: Indian Mounds and Park history. (Path is crushed limestone)
River tour: Drive or carpool at Wyalusing State Park Boat landing.
Canoeing/kayaking: Inquire at Wyalusing State Park concession stand. Limited supply. (Free to volunteers)
Walking the trails and visiting the park lookouts on your own.

On-Your-Own Activities: Monday Afternoon

Monday afternoon will be set aside to allow you to pursue your own interests and explore all that Wyalusing State Park, and the Driftless Area. (Fee may be required)

Nelson Dewey State Park. Stonefield State Historic Site. (Link)
Effigy Mounds National Monument (Free entry fee) (Link)
Shihata Orchard - Free (Link)
Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge - Free (Link)
Villa Louis National Historic Monument (Link)
St Feriole Island Memorial Gardens - Free (Link)
Mississippi River Sculpture Park - Free (Link)
Prairie du Chien (Link)

Fall is a wonderful time at Wyalusing State Park. Cool days, brightly colored trees, campfires ringed with laughter, and family gatherings provide many memories at Wyalusing State Park.
Spend your days, touring the back roads of Crawford County. Stop by local orchards to sample and buy the bountiful harvest. Walk along the leaf strewn trails of Wyalusing State Park.
Then, return to Wyalusing State Park and celebrate Harvest Festival with the Friends of Wyalusing. Enjoy the pumpkin carving, live music, and luminaries along the accessible trails leading to scenic overlooks on top of the bluffs.
The event is held in the Peterson Pavilion Shelter. Roaring fires, treats, hot or cold cider, and hot chocolate will be provided by the ‘friends’. Donations are gratefully accepted.
Live music starts at 6:00 PM. The music is bound to get your toes a tapping, and, who knows, maybe even a few audience members will get up and dance.
A torch lit trail will lead participants to Lookout Point. View the gorgeous valley below.
The festival is free to all, campers and park visitors alike. All you need is a state park vehicle pass which can be purchased as you enter the park.

Dear Friends,

As you may know, our Annual general meeting is held each year in October. This year the date is October 9. It is fitting that this falls again on Columbus Day as we look to the horizon of a new year and continue to chart our course ahead. The meeting will be held at 6:00PM in the Peterson shelter building. I encourage as many of you as possible to attend and help chart the course of YOUR group.

At this meeting, you the membership elects the executive board that will steer our ship in 2018. Right now for 2017 that board consists of six members, Bruce Klang, Ruth Klang, Randy Paske, Kathy Paske, Kay Schmitz and Mary Price. At their first meeting the new 2018 board will elect the following officers from within their ranks: President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary, with two remaining at large board members.

As of this time the 2017 board members have indicated that they are willing to continue to serve if re-elected. I am not aware of any additional candidates. However, if anyone is interested in serving on this board, please attend this meeting as write-ins are welcome. You must be a current member of the Friends of Wyalusing State Park and not a Park employee.

Bruce L. Klang

President – Friends of Wyalusing State Park

Friends of Wyalusing State Park

13081 State Park Lane

Bagley, WI 53801

The 2017 year in review

Hard to believe but yet another year with the Friends of Wyalusing State Park is drawing to a close. Not just any year, this was the park’s centennial. With your help, we made it a good one. It was good to see so many old friends and make new friends at the centennial celebration in June. Speakers and programs were well received and it was a fitting tribute to a century of park history.

Our usual projects and programs continued with Smokey’s birthday bash being a big hit as well as school and other programs. But this year we had help. With generous donations from people like you, we were able to finally provide funding for the DNR to return a part-time seasonal naturalist to Wyalusing. Becky Mumm did a great job providing additional programs for visitors of all ages. We look forward to expanding this effort in the future with your continued support.

The concession stand continues to be a huge revenue source for our group. Under the capable management of Randy Paske these last few years it has provided funding for our other projects as well as service to the visitors. Change is in the works, however. Randy has decided to relinquish the concession manager position. Don’t worry though. He states he will continue to be involved with the friends in other areas. He is currently a board member, vice president, and our web/media person. Pam Dressler will be running the concession in 2018. The transition has already begun and it looks to be a smooth one.

We’re not done yet. We will close the year out as the host site for the statewide volunteer jamboree and then our annual harvest fest brings to close the year. On October 9 we will have our annual general meeting and executive board elections for 2018 at 6:00PM in the Peterson Shelter. I hope to see you then as we celebrate Columbus Day and chart our continued course through the unknown waters ahead.

Bruce Klang

President – Friends of Wyalusing State Park

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.)

Jonathon Ringdahl Brings Film Crew to Wyalusing State Park

Jonathon Rigdahl and Travel Wisconsin visited Wyalusing State Park. Ringdahl visited all of Wisconsin State Parks in 2013. His reviews of each state park can be found on this web site. He is also a board member for The Friends of Wisconsin State Parks.

Wyalusing State Park is located at the confluence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers. One of Wisconsin's oldest state parks, Wyalusing features family and group camps, hiking trails, a canoe trail, Native American burial mounds, bird watching, fishing, boating, bicycling and picnicking near several scenic overlooks of the river valleys below the 500 foot Wisconsin Ridge Campground..
“I've been anxiously awaiting this video since meeting with the awesome film crew from Plum Moving Media! Great job guys! I hope you enjoyed the adventure I took you on! I love this video and it highlights why our state park system is the best! Thanks Travel Wisconsin for making this possible! These were two super-fun days!” Ringdahl said.

Smokey Bear’s Birthday Bash

by Wyalusing State Park Staff

Smokey Bear celebrates his 72nd birthday at Wyalusing State Park on Saturday, August 5th. Smokey will lead a parade of children and adults on foot, bikes and in wagons through the scenic Wisconsin Ridge Campground. Following the parade, party goers are invited to have their pictures taken with the famous bear. (2016 photos)
“The True Story of Smokey Bear” will be read aloud from a large picture book. Then, Smokey and the children will gather around a beautiful birthday cake, On the count of 3, they blow out all 72 lit candles and enjoy cake and lemonade. Each child in attendance will receive a Smokey Bear canvas tote bag filled with Smokey paraphernalia.
Smokey’s birthday party is sponsored by the Friends of Wyalusing State Park and Wisconsin DNR. (

The program is free, but a state park admission sticker is required on each vehicle. The Friends of Wyalusing would like to invite everyone to spend the day in the park, pack a picnic supper and stay for the program. The trails are in good hiking condition and canoes and kayaks are available for rent at the concession stand. An afternoon paddling the marked canoe trail on the Mississippi River is an excellent way to spend one of the last weekends before school starts. Donations to the Friends of Wyalusing State Park, a 501 (c)3 nonprofit organization may be mailed to Wyalusing State Park 13081 State Park Lane, Bagley, WI 53801.

The Friends of Wyalusing State Park are sponsoring another special event on the last Saturday of September - The Fall Festival. The event is hi-lighted with carved pumpkins, live music, torch lit trail to Point Lookout, and food.

Wyalusing State Park Gets Naturalist Funded by Friends of Wyalusing

Printed with permission from Courier Press*

Image result for becky mumm After several years, Wyalusing State Park near Prairie du Chien will again have a naturalist. The park is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year and is continually striving to improve.

Becky Mumm of Bloomington recently began her duties at Wyalusing and is looking forward to the challenges of her new position and meeting many of the park’s customers this spring, summer and fall.

“I’m just getting settled in and getting to know the park and everything it has to offer as well as getting to know the campers,” said Becky. “I would also like any suggestions for programs that anyone might have.”

Becky, 21, is a junior at UW— Platteville and is majoring in reclamation and environmental conservation. Some of the programs she will have include historical hikes, nature hikes, birding hikes, the hummingbird banding program, a geo- logical program, a program about trees and plants and native and invasive species, and canoeing in Glenn Lake combined with pointing out plants, wildlife and other interesting features. Canoeing, of course, is dependent upon the water level and weather.

“We will deﬁnitely be getting out and enjoying the park and putting it to full use,” she said. “I’m excited to have a naturalist," said Wyalusing State Park Manager Chad Breuer. “We do get a lot of requests for programs." Breuer noted that the naturalist position is made possible by the ﬁnancial generosity of the Friends of Wyalusing organization.

“I grew up on a farm and enjoy being outside,” said Becky, who will work weekends and some days during the week. In addition to working with families, she will also be working with school groups and other types of groups. Becky said that groups can call the park to set up a program they would like to participate in. The park ofﬁce phone number is (608) 996-2261.

“I’m really looking forward to working with the people, the groups and the families,” said Becky. “Our programs are family-oriented, educational and hands-on fun.”

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by Ted Pennekamp

Wyalusing State Park featured in Wisconsin Resources Magazine

Below, is an excerpt from the article written by Paul Holtan. Paul Holtan works for the DNR Office of Communications, editing the DNR’s weekly news and outdoor report packets and serving as public affairs manager for the Bureau of Parks and Recreation.

“Standing on the bluffs overlooking the confluence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers 500 feet below, it’s pretty easy to see why John Nolen recommended Wyalusing as one of four locations for Wisconsin’s first state parks in a 1909 report to the State Parks Board. “ (Click to read PDF article)

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