Two people ride bicycles Friday, Sept. 18, 2020, on the Ice Age Trail in Janesville. Angela Major/WPR A planned hiking and biking trail connecting Wausau to Tomahawk aims to offer a safer, scenic route for outdoor enthusiasts, giving local tourism and economies a potential boost along the way.
Led by the River District Development Foundation , the trail is tentatively named Jenny Road , chosen for Merrill’s original town name. The route would run along the east side of the Wisconsin River and parallel to a lightly-used railroad track.
River District Development Foundation President Jon Krohn spoke with WPR on “Morning Edition” about the two-stage plan, which would begin with a segment connecting Wausau to Merrill.
Developers say the trail could draw tourists and new residents to the area by showcasing central Wisconsin’s natural beauty and expanding opportunities for outdoor recreation. Krohn said hiking and biking trails are emerging as a priority for people of all age groups.
“A good example is if you visit a state park, it used to be that the picnic parking lots were packed,” Krohn said. “Now, the picnic parking lots are almost empty, but the trailheads are overflowing. People just love using trails. The younger people especially do, but us old folks, now that we’ve got e-bikes, we can get out and really enjoy it as well. “
The corridor proposal dates back to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources 2002 Wisconsin State Trails Network Plan and is a portion of a longer segment that would connect Tomahawk […]
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