Park Projects & FAQs

  •  Nashotah Park Native Prairie Restoration Project 
  •  Monches Property Reforestation Project
  •  Nagawicka Lake Access Launch and Parking Lot Reconstruction

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

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

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.  

• Project FAQs (pdf)

 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

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 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

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. 

• FAQ's