Park Projects & FAQs

  •  Lake Country Trail Underpass Project
  •  Fox River Park Improvements - Phase 2: River Access
  •  Nagawicka Lake Access Launch and Parking Lot Reconstruction
  •  Nashotah Park Native Prairie Restoration Project 
  •  Monches Property Reforestation Project

Completed:
  •  Fox River Trail Project (Complete)  
  •  Pewaukee Lake Access Launch Project (Complete)
  •  Automatic License Plate Reader System Project (Complete)

Lake Country Trail Underpass Project

Updated April 24, 2023 • subject to change

As part of the State of Wisconsin’s Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) and Stewardship Grant Programs, a multi-purpose trail underpass is set to be constructed under Summit Avenue (State Hwy 67) along the Lake Country Trail. Situated just south of Oconomowoc Parkway, where it intersects Summit Avenue, this underpass will safely connect trail users under the road through an existing 'box culvert' tunnel. 

A partnership between the City of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin DOT and Waukesha County, this project will include trail connections to the existing underground culvert tunnel, signage, lighting, drainage, and other project components. Both Oconomowoc Parkway and Summit Avenue will remain open throughout construction; please expect partial lane closures and pedestrian access re-routes.

Project Timeline:

Project Location:

Fox River Park Improvements - Phase 2: River Access

Updated April 24, 2023 • subject to change

Completed: In December 2022, phase one of the Fox River Park Improvement project was completed with initial streambank stabilization and restoration work done.

Next: Work is now underway on project phase two, which will include the development of an ADA-accessible kayak launch, ADA-accessible fishing pier/overlook structure, and pathway. 

Temporary closure: River Access Area

• Closed through 2023: project area and carry-in watercraft access
• Avoid areas marked with tape and barricades to allow them to recover.
• Open for your use: existing paved trails and access from the parking lot
• Tip: Find an alternate location to launch your carry-in watercraft on the Fox River on the Fabulous Fox River Trail site. (Fox River Park launch is located at river mile 171.9.)

Phase 2 Project Timeline (subject to change):

Concepts:

Nagawicka Lake Access Launch and Parking Lot Reconstruction Project

Updated Sept 8, 2023 • Info subject to change. 

New phase begins Sept 25, 2023

Nagawicka Lake access parking lot and Beach House sidewalk to close on Tuesday, September 5, 2023.

Reconstruction of the parking lot and sidewalk on the north and east side of the Beach House will be ongoing through late fall. It is anticipated that the area will reopen in late 2023 for winter lake access. Pedestrian Access will be provided from the existing boardwalk to the playground, beach and south doors of the beach house.

Be aware of construction equipment and activities in the area.

Alternatives:
• City of Delafield public boat launch (view location). Open to the public; parking only for registered City of Delafield residents. More info: Contact Delafield City Clerk’s office (view contact)
• Waukesha County Parks Lake Access on Pewaukee Lake, Nemahbin Lake, and School Section Lakes. Your annual membership is valid at these locations. Not a member? Join us! 

• • •

Temporary Closure: Naga-Waukee Park main entrance

• Entrance to park from State Hwy 83 to close briefly this fall
• For rehabilitation of entrance drive
• Use northwest entrance (view location)
• Coming soon: Check back for dates 
• View project information. Dates and details are subject to change.

• • •

Nagawicka Lake boat launch's north ramps are reopened and south ramps remain open for your use. Contractors completed the reconstruction of the north boat ramps, and have re-graded and stabilized all boat ramps. Thank you for pardoning our dust!

Next: As part of the Wisconsin DNR Statewide Recreational Boating Facilities Grant Program, Nagawicka Lake Boat Launch parking lot is set for construction this fall (after Labor Day) with a temporary closure September - December 2023. Updates to follow.

Tip: Lake Access Annual Memberships grant members access also to Waukesha County lake access facilities on Pewaukee, Nemahbin, and School Section Lakes.  

• • Project FAQs
    

Nashotah Park Native Prairie Restoration / No-Mow Area Project

The Nashotah Park Native Prairie Restoration Project is over 50% complete! Learn More About the Project. 
The project goal is to restore the old agricultural fields within the park into native prairie to create pollinator habitat. The native plantings will provide habitat for birds, pollinators, and other insects. The beauty of blooming flowers will also add to the natural beauty of Nashotah Park.

This large-scale project is supported by donations to the Parkland Conservation Fund. 

• FAQ Document
• Parkland Conservation Fund

Monches Property Reforestation Project

The Monches Property Reforestation Project is 33% complete! Learn More About the Project. 
The project goal is to plant a diversity of shrubs and trees along the Oconomowoc River Greenway to reduce pollution from agricultural land and improve water quality. The project is being completed in partnership with the Oconomowoc Watershed Protection Program (OWPP). 

This large-scale project is supported by donations to the Parkland Conservation Fund. 

• Monches Area Map
• Parkland Conservation Fund

 Fox River Trail Project (Pewaukee to Brookfield Connector) - Complete

Updated Mar 14, 2023 • Info subject to change

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony coming Spring 2023! The Fox River Trail is a three-mile trail between the City of Pewaukee and the City of Brookfield. It runs from a trailhead on Watertown Road in Pewaukee through scenic wetlands and woodlands and along residential neighborhoods to Brookfield Road in Brookfield. Currently, no other County Recreation Trail connects to the Fox River Trail.

Connecting trails:
 • City of Brookfield - Greenway Trail System
 • City of Pewaukee - Bike Plan

Pewaukee Lake Access Launch Reconstruction Project - COMPLETE

 Updated May 28, 2022.
Dates and details are subject to change.

Waukesha County reconstructed the boat launches at the Pewaukee Lake Access site. The project was constructed Spring 2022, starting April 19 and completed on May 28, 2022.  The anticipated completion date was June 3, 2022. To minimize interruption to lake access the launches were reconstructed in two phases so that one launch could remain open through the construction process. 

There are two other launch accesses to Pewaukee Lake, but parking is limited. See locations on the Wisconsin DNR website. Annual Lake Access Stickers are also valid to access Nagawicka, Nemahbin, and School Section Lakes.  

Date	Updates
Spring 2022	Bid for construction
April 19, 2022	Reconstruction project begins on North ramp. To minimize interruption to lake access the launches were reconstructed in two phases so that one launch could remain open through the construction process.
May 16, 2022	The new North launch ramp is completed OPEN for use. The South ramp is now CLOSED for reconstruction.
May 28, 2022	Both North and South ramps are OPEN for use.
May 28, 2022	Project is complete. Launch is OPEN.

Park System Automatic License Plate Reader System Project - COMPLETE

Updated: Jan 31, 2023
Dates and details subject to change. 

Important: Starting in 2023, your vehicle no longer will display a windshield sticker upon entry to parks and lake access; annual memberships are verified by the license plate scanner upon entry.

The Waukesha County Park System’s Automatic License Plate Reader System Project bid was awarded in June 2021. This project will improve user fee management, increase park security for all visitors, and effectively utilize staff time and talent for other priority park operations. 

The camera system installations were completed by August 2021 at Fox Brook, Fox River, Menomonee, Minooka, Mukwonago, Muskego, Naga-Waukee, and Nashotah Parks. The lake access site camera system installations or mobile camera enforcement systems were completed by January 2022 at Nagawicka, Nemahbin, Pewaukee, and School Section Lakes. All vehicle license plates are now being captured automatically by the cameras.

Purchase Annual Memberships and Daily Permits:

• Online: www.WaukeshaCounty.gov/ParkEntry
• In person: at Waukesha County Parks Main Office in the Courthouse (map) or at Retzer Nature Center (map).
• Required: Be ready to provide your vehicle's license plate numbers. 

• FAQ's