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., February 5, 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 & Face Coverings:

  Updated on: Fri., February 5, 2021

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

  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. 

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• Retzer Nature Center

  Retzer Nature Center:

  Updated on: Weds. March 3, 2021

  Retzer Snowshoe Rentals - Unavailable - snowshoeing rental season has ended.

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

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  Please Note:

  • Visitors should practice social distancing by maintaining a distance of approximately 6 feet from others in the buildings or on the trails.
  • 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).
• Ice Arenas

  Indoor Ice Arenas:

  Updated on: Fri., February 5, 2021 

  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. 
  • Visitors should practice social distancing and masks are required.  Attendance will be limited. 

  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. 
  • Visitors should practice social distancing and masks are required.  Attendance will be limited. 

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: Tues., February 22, 2021

Minooka Park's Mountain Bike Trails are CLOSED due to forecasted warm temperatures.

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 unavailable, snowshoeing season has ended. 

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.

Nashotah Park Sled Hill

Nashotah Park sled hill is CLOSED due to standing water and ice.

Winter Event Cancellation Policy:

Waukesha County Parks and Land Use may cancel an event in the case of the following:

• Wind chills greater than -35 degrees F
• Warnings issued by the National Weather Service
• Unsafe conditions

Winter Maintenance:

The Parks Division conducts snow and ice control for all core park main roadways, sidewalks within the park, and select parking lots.  We also conduct the cross-country ski trail grooming and maintenance at Menomonee, Minooka, and Nashotah Parks. The Parks team also conducts the snow and ice control for the main government campus, including the 24/7 emergency operations center. 

The Parks Division does not plow most multi-use recreation trails after a snow event as these trails are designated as seasonal use to allow for winter activities including snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling.

Retzer Nature Center:

Updated on: Weds. March 3, 2021

Retzer Snowshoe Rentals - Unavailable - snowshoeing rental season has ended.

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.

Nashotah Park Entrance Native Prairie Restoration:

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. Learn more about this Parkland Conservation project.

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.