Closures, alerts, and notices pertaining to snow conditions, dog exercise areas, recreational trails, park projects and more will be posted on this page as necessary. If a notice hasn't been updated recently, that means there has been no change to the status as it is posted.

If you have any questions, please call Guest Services at 262-548-7801 Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:15 pm

Coronavirus COVID-19 Information: 

Updated Fri., January 15, 2021

Waukesha County is continuing to provide vital government services to members of the public while following established safety measures to protect employees and members of the public from the COVID-19 virus. The Park System will continue to follow these practices to help keep our visitors and staff safe. We appreciate your patience.

We know that our parks and trails provide opportunities for physical activity and stress relief that is critical to the health of our community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our team has increased monitoring of all facilities in an effort to ensure the parks can remain open, clean, and safe during this public health crisis.

We continue to ask patrons to follow all park rules and to pay the $6 daily entrance fee or have an annual park entrance sticker on their vehicle. These fees help us cover a portion of the costs to stay open.   

Please note:

• Parks and trails are open. Please help us stay open with respectful and responsible visits.
• Park users should practice social distancing by maintaining a distance of approximately 6 feet from others.
• Due to the Governor's Order, masks or other face coverings are required by all visitors, ages 5 and older, while indoors in a county facility or within an enclosed area. 
• In order to maintain safety, our staff reserves the right to ask patrons to adjust distances, temporarily restrict access to the park or specific areas and ask visitors to come back another time. 
• Please only park in designated park lots/spots at all Park locations. Park staff and Rangers will be strictly enforcing this parking rule at all facilities.
• All playgrounds are open but are not sanitized and should be used at your own risk.  
• Picnic tables are not sanitized and should be used at your own risk.  

For updated, credible information about COVID-19 in Waukesha County, visit: www.waukeshacounty.gov/COVID19. (Visit this page routinely as data about COVID-19 changes daily.)

Please view the following tabs for specific information:

• Social Gatherings

  Social Gatherings & Masks or Face Coverings:

  Updated on: Fri., November 20, 2020

  Waukesha County's large gathering recommendation details are available at https://www.waukeshacounty.gov/gatherings.

  In accordance with DHS Emergency Order #3, indoor spaces open to the public are limited to no more than 25% of the total occupancy. Spaces that are not open to the public are not limited by the order.

  Due to the Governor's Order, masks or other face coverings are required by all visitors, ages 5 and older, while indoors in a county facility or within an enclosed area. 

  ---

• Retzer Nature Center

  Retzer Nature Center:

  Updated on: Mon., January 18, 2021

  Retzer Snowshoe Rentals Available
  

  Hiker Advisory: Deer season is open, there may be hunters on private land adjacent to Retzer Nature Center. For your safety, wearing blaze orange or bright colors is recommended when hiking on the yellow fen trail.

  Construction Updates: Retzer Nature Center is currently working on some trail renovations. Please follow posted signs.

  ---

  Please Note:

  • Operations have adjusted for 25% capacity requirements in accordance with DHS Emergency Order #3 limiting indoor public gatherings.
  • Visitors should practice social distancing by maintaining distance of approximately 6 feet from others.
  • Due to the Governor's Order, masks or other face coverings are required by all visitors, ages 5 and older, while indoors in a county facility or within an enclosed area. 
  • No dogs allowed (service dogs permitted).
  • Practice social distancing by maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet) from others on the trails. 
• Ice Arenas

  Updated on: Mon., December 14, 2020

  Eble Ice Arena is OPEN.

  • Groups may make online reservations
  • Public skate hours will be limited. Eble visitors must make online reservations for public skate. 

  Naga-Waukee Ice Arena is OPEN.

  • Groups may make online reservations
  • Public skate hours will be limited. Eble visitors must make online reservations for public skate. 

Dog Exercise Areas:

Updated on: Fri., December 18, 2020

NOTICE: Dog Exercise Area users should practice social distancing by maintaining a distance of approximately 6 feet from others.

Minooka Park's Dog Exercise Areas are OPEN. 

Mukwonago Park's  Dog Exercise Areas are OPEN. 
Notice: The water has been turned off for the season. 

Nashotah Park's Dog Exercise Areas are OPEN.
Notice: The water has been turned off for the season.  

Mountain Bike Trails:

Updated on: Mon., January 18, 2021

Minooka Park's Mountain Bike Trails are OPEN.

Snow Conditions:

Cross Country Ski Trails

Reminders: Hikers must remain on designated Winter Hiking Trails.

Retzer Nature Center Snowshoe Rentals

Retzer Nature Center's snowshoe rentals are available Monday - Saturday. Snowshoe rental is first-come, first-serve. Metal and wooden snowshoes available.

SPECIAL EVENT: Due to the JanBoree Special Event at Retzer Nature Center on Sat., Jan. 16, snowshoes will NOT BE AVAILABLE for rent to the general public this day. 

Rentals will be available on Sunday, January 17 from 10:00-3:00pm

Read more about snowshoeing at Retzer Nature Center.

Snowmobile Trails

For trail conditions call the Waukesha County Snowmobile Association's Hotline at (414) 299-0330.

For information about snowmobile clubs in the Waukesha area, see the Waukesha County Snowmobile Association's website at www.waukeshasnow.org.

Retzer Nature Center:

Updated on: Mon., January 18, 2021

Retzer Snowshoe Rentals Available

Hiker Advisory: Deer season is open, there may be hunters on private land adjacent to Retzer Nature Center. For your safety, wearing blaze orange or bright colors is recommended when hiking on the yellow fen trail.

Construction Updates: Retzer Nature Center is currently working on some trail renovations. Please follow posted signs.

Menomonee Park Dog Exercise Area Project:

Updated on: Tues., December 15, 2020

The paving portion of the Dog Exercise Area Project is complete. The next phases will begin in Spring of 2021. Read more about this project.

New Berlin Trail: 

Updated on: Fri., December 11, 2020

Underground utility repairs are underway along The New Berlin Trail near the Sunnyslope Road intersection. Please use caution as you use the trail.

Nashotah Park Entrance:

Updated on: Fri., November 6, 2020

The turf along the entrance road in Nashotah Park being converted from non-native cool season grass into a native prairie planting that will sustainably benefit a variety of pollinators and other wildlife. Read more about this project in our FAQ Document.

Bridle Trails:

Updated on: Mon., November 2, 2020

Bridle Trails at Menomonee Park are CLOSED. 

Bridle Trails at Minooka Park are CLOSED. 

Bridle Trails at Ryan Park are OPEN.