Save Wisconsin’s Parks

Nearly 20 million people visited Wisconsin’s parks, forests and trails last year, hunting, fishing, biking and camping in forests, near bluffs, sandy plains, cliffs and tens of thousands of lakes. In 2025, Wisconsin is celebrating the 125th anniversary of our state park system. 

Spending time outdoors is a part of living in or visiting Wisconsin. Families spend weekends camping, friends gather for annual fishing trips, couples plan long weekend bike rides and visitors from across the midwest plan annual vacations near their favorite lakes.

Wisconsin’s park are in trouble

Our parks are in danger of falling apart with crumbling and outdated infrastructure across the system. Sewers are cracking, roads are collapsing, trails are not maintained and the parks are understaffed. Across the park system, the majority of roads, bathrooms, and pipes were built in the 1960s and 70’s. As park visitor numbers continue at high levels, we are in danger of loving our parks to death. For example, asphalt in Kettle Moraine State Forest –  the 2nd most popular park in Wisconsin with 1.4 million visitors last year –  has ruptured, along with over 70 bathrooms in the forest in need of repairs. 

Wisconsin used to fund our parks with tax dollars but that ended in 2015. While private donations, grants and other programs have provided some funding, the parks have been underfunded for the past ten years. That means that projects like repaving roads, replacing boat docks, upgrading showers and other needed improvements have been deferred year after year. There are now an estimated $1 billion worth of repairs needed to get our park facilities back on track. Without action, this problem will continue to get worse.

We can fix our parks

Wisconsin’s parks are part of our way of life, and a huge part of what makes our state so great to live in. We get something out of the great outdoors that we don’t get from our smartphones or from walking down city streets – regardless of your background or beliefs. But far too often the policies that would provide adequate support for our parks fall victim to partisan political fights and are deprioritized. For visitors to enjoy fishing, hiking and other activities at our parks, boat ramps, bathrooms, trails and campsites need to be maintained. 

Immediately, Wisconsin leaders can start to tackle this problem by approving Governor Evers’ plans to upgrade ramps, bathrooms and roads. Our state leaders should also renew the popular Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, which has been supporting parks and other nature programs in Wisconsin since 1989. And finally, our leaders must come up with a solution to permanently fully fund our parks into the future. 

We’re spreading the word across Wisconsin

Join the thousands of people across Wisconsin who are calling on our state senators and state representatives to fix our parks. This summer, our canvassers are going door to door across the state to make sure our leaders are hearing from as many people as possible. With another 20 million people headed to the boat ramps, camp sites and hiking trails this summer, we can’t afford to wait.

Generations of Wisconsinites and visitors should be able to continue to enjoy the great outdoors in Wisconsin’s parks and forests.