Waukesha County

Park Projects & 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


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


Nagawicka Lake Access Launch and Parking Lot Reconstruction Project

Dates and details are subject to change. 

As a part of the Wisconsin DNR Statewide Recreational Boating Facilities Grant Program, the Nagawicka Lake Boat Launch parking lot may be under construction in 2023, pending project authorization in March 2023.

Annual Lake Access Memberships are also valid to access Pewaukee, Nemahbin, and School Section Lakes.  

PENDING PROJECT AUTHORIZATION - Nagawicka Lake Access Parking Lot and Adjacent Sidewalk 
Date Updates
February/March 2023 Project bidding
March 2023 Anticipated Contract Award
March 2023 Anticipated Contracting
September 2023  

Anticipated Boat Launch Area Temporary Closure - Parking lot and sidewalk reconstruction

December 2023 Anticipated Project Completion - Boat launch area and parking lot to reopen

 Fox River Trail Project (Pewaukee to Brookfield Connector)

Dates and details are subject to change.
Updated Mar 14, 2023

The Fox River Trail is a 3-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

Date Updates
 

Thu., Sept. 19, 2019

Virtual Public Involvement Meeting #1

 

Wed., July 8, 2020

Virtual Public Involvement Meeting #2

March 2021 - December 2021

Project Coordination with WisDOT

December  2021 - February 2022

Project Out to Bid

February 2022

Project Awarded to a Contractor

April 11 - September 30, 2022

Project Construction
Vinton Construction Company of Two Rivers, WI

  • Clearing and Removal of Vegetation - COMPLETE
  • Removal of Railroad Ties and Rail - COMPLETE
  • Trail Prep - COMPLETE
  • Asphalt Trail Installation - COMPLETE
  • Bridge Work - COMPLETE
  • Planting and Restoration - COMPLETE
  • Finishing Touches - COMPLETE
October 20, 2022

Project is Complete - Trail is OPEN

Stay tuned for a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony in Spring 2023


Pewaukee Lake Access Launch Reconstruction Project

Dates and details are subject to change. Update: Sat., May 28, 2022.

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 websiteAnnual 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

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

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
Date Updates
 February - May 2021 Project Research and Project Out to Bid
 May - September 2021 Installation and Testing 
 Early November 2021 Project completion anticipated 
 November 26, 2021 Online 2022 Annual Park Entrance Sticker Sales Begin
 November 29, 2021 - January 31, 2022 Enforcement testing in progress
 February 1, 2022 Camera Enforcement Full Implementation begins

Waukesha County Park System
515 W. Moreland Blvd • AC 230
Waukesha, WI 53188

Visit us in person in room AC 260
Hours 
M-F 8 am - 4:30 pm (excluding Holidays) 
Contact us 
262-548-7801parksinfo@waukeshacounty.gov

Fee-based Park Hours: Sunrise to 10 p.m. daily
Daily Park Entrance Permit Fee: $6 per car | $25 per bus

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