What's the Big Idea?
From beach to bluff, the Village of Egg Harbor is exploring the construction of off-road, sustainable, walking and bicycling trails that will connect Door County residents to their neighbors, visitors to parks, employees to work, and students to schools.
What is the Egg Harbor Trails Initiative?
We are your friends and neighbors from the Village of Egg Harbor, the Door County community, and beyond – a group of citizen volunteers committed to developing non-motorized off-road biking and walking pathways throughout the Peninsula.
What trail options are being considered?
In partnership with the National Park Service, the Village of Egg Harbor and the towns of Egg Harbor, and Gibraltar, along with the Village of Sister Bay and Peninsula State Park, are pursuing a series of safe multi-use trails intended to connect Egg Harbor to surrounding neighborhoods and municipalities. This will include a connection from Egg Harbor to Fish Creek, home to one of our northern Door County school complexes.
Why do we need trails?
Trails connect communities while connecting each of us to the natural world. They provide safe, all-season, eco-friendly walking and biking transportation routes. Our proposed trails will connect neighborhoods to communities, visitors to local attractions, and employees to their workplaces. Trails encourage folks of all ages, incomes, and abilities to enjoy active, healthy lifestyles.
What are the benefits of the trails?
The proposed pathways will highlight the natural beauty of the Door County Peninsula while promoting active, healthy lifestyles. We also hope to reduce environmental impacts, strengthen our economy, and reduce traffic and parking burdens on our tiny villages.
Where will the trails lead?
Initial plans called for linking Frank Murphy County Park, known locally as Horseshoe Bay Beach, to the Village of Egg Harbor. Surrounding communities have now partnered with us, suggesting spurs to link our population centers, towns, villages and the Gibraltar School District.
What is the trail surface?
Track surface will be determined by trail design professionals based on requirements that include cost, safety, grade, durability and lifespan.
Who can access the trail?
The trails will be public and equally accessible.
Will the trails pass through private property?
The proposed trail network will be largely developed within the public right of way and along publicly owned property. In locations where easements may be necessary, willing landowners will be engaged and consulted. Please note, in Wisconsin, landowners who permit public access from recreational users are shielded from liability.
How will the trails be funded?
We're receiving free technical assistance from the National Park Service (NPS) Rivers, Trails, Conservation Assistance program. We’ll also be seeking state, federal, and private funding sources.
When will the trails be completed?
We’re currently conducting feasibility studies and haven’t determined a final completion date.
How can I participate in the planning process?
Have a question not addressed above?
If you have a question that we haven't touched upon, please send it our way and we'll either reply to you directly or incorporate your question into the list above.
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