Winter has in set along the trails at Kiekhaefer Park in Fond du Lac.
KIEKHAEFER pARK - fOND dU lAC, wi
A legacy gift. That's what Kiekhaefer Park is to Fond du Lac and it's community. Elmer Carl Kiekhaefer sought to preserve the land the park resides on for the environment, and the local community. An industrialist and engineering genius, he challenged the county's idea to turn what was an abandoned gravel pit into a land fill. He believed in his cause so truly, he actually offered to purchase the land himself and donate it to the Town of Taycheedah to be used as a park. That was back in 1970.
Generations later, the 120-acre park became a reality, with Elmer Kiekhaefer financing the development of the park, and the snowmobile track at the site. Features at the park are many: hiking trails, mountain biking trails, snowmobile trails, cross-country skiing trails, horse riding trails, and a sledding hill. It's a popular Disc Golf course, too. And judging by the amount of deer tracks we spotted while hiking portions of the trail, wildlife are at home in the park as well.
Near the parking lot entrance of the park is a tall hill, and atop the hill a lookout tower. The park is part of the Niagara Escarpment that winds through Wisconsin, and from the tower atop that hill there is a grand view of Lake Winnebago off in the near-distance. In winter the view was a wall of white, with a hint of trees along the shores across the lake. In summer, I expect an even more spectacular, more colorful view.
The walking trails were easy to traverse, particularly with just a dusting of snow, although there are some steep hills. There are approximately 3 miles of trails in the park. Daylight was fading, or we would have veered off to walk through the wooded areas, they looked peaceful and lovely. With its beautiful woodlands, winding trails, and proximity to Lake Winnebago, Kiekhaefer Park should be a great bird watching location, too. We will save that for next time, I suppose.
Hours: November 1 to March 31 - 6 am to 10 pm
April 1 to October 31 - 6 am to 30 Minutes after Sunset
Amenities: Open warming shack near entrance, park benches
No restrooms on site
Parking: Parking lot available
Location: W4235 Kiekhaefer Parkway, Fond du Lac, WI (Fond du Lac County)
For more information, click here.
Generations later, the 120-acre park became a reality, with Elmer Kiekhaefer financing the development of the park, and the snowmobile track at the site. Features at the park are many: hiking trails, mountain biking trails, snowmobile trails, cross-country skiing trails, horse riding trails, and a sledding hill. It's a popular Disc Golf course, too. And judging by the amount of deer tracks we spotted while hiking portions of the trail, wildlife are at home in the park as well.
Near the parking lot entrance of the park is a tall hill, and atop the hill a lookout tower. The park is part of the Niagara Escarpment that winds through Wisconsin, and from the tower atop that hill there is a grand view of Lake Winnebago off in the near-distance. In winter the view was a wall of white, with a hint of trees along the shores across the lake. In summer, I expect an even more spectacular, more colorful view.
The walking trails were easy to traverse, particularly with just a dusting of snow, although there are some steep hills. There are approximately 3 miles of trails in the park. Daylight was fading, or we would have veered off to walk through the wooded areas, they looked peaceful and lovely. With its beautiful woodlands, winding trails, and proximity to Lake Winnebago, Kiekhaefer Park should be a great bird watching location, too. We will save that for next time, I suppose.
Hours: November 1 to March 31 - 6 am to 10 pm
April 1 to October 31 - 6 am to 30 Minutes after Sunset
Amenities: Open warming shack near entrance, park benches
No restrooms on site
Parking: Parking lot available
Location: W4235 Kiekhaefer Parkway, Fond du Lac, WI (Fond du Lac County)
For more information, click here.
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