RESTORATION PROJECT COMPLETED AT RIVERVIEW ATV PARK

Posted by Warren Bluhm | Nov 18, 2020 | Kewaunee County, News

https://kewauneecomet.com/restoration-project-completed-at-riverview-atv-park/

A worker from Heim’s Hillcrest Dairy seeds the new 9-acre native pollinator buffer at Riverview ATV Park. Contributed photo

The views at Riverview ATV Park are going to be a bit more scenic for visitors next season when the park reopens for riding in spring 2021.

The Kewaunee County Land & Water Conservation Department as well as the Kewaunee County Promotions & Recreation Department have just wrapped up work on a restoration project at the park, which began in fall 2018, to address water quality, erosion, and habitat improvement. This initiative was made possible with the help of federal, state and community partners who worked to construct a pollinator buffer and wetland basins.

The final step in the restoration project was to seed the park's new nine-acre native pollinator buffer, and that was just completed with the help of Heim's Hillcrest Dairy, which donated its time and machinery. The pollinator buffer will benefit wildlife and pollinator species as well as prevent erosion and surface runoff.

Also, three wetland basins were created as part of the project along the western edge of the park's wooded ravine. These basins aim to boost environmental conservation efforts, including improving water quality, capturing and slowing water flow – serving an overall land area of more than 240 acres.

In addition, through a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources grant, rock was placed along the ravine corridor to stabilize the banks.

A special thank you is also being extended to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Partners for a grant that provided the construction of the wetland basins and native seed as well as Bay Lake ATV Club, a not-for-profit friends group that volunteers to help with park improvements and maintenance.

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Be Smart Before You Start During Gun-Deer Season

DNR Reminds Hunters To Ride Safely When Using ATVs/UTVs 
The DNR reminds hunters to ride safely when using ATVs and UTVs during their hunt this year. / Photo Credit: iStock/Kyryl Gorlov

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds hunters to ride safely when using all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and utility-terrain vehicles (UTVs) during their hunt this year.

Since January, 33 people have died in ATV and UTV-related crashes in 2020. Most of the incidents involved people not wearing a helmet or seat belt. There were 22 fatal crashes in 2019.

Hunters often use ATVs or UTVs to retrieve harvests or travel off-road to their hunting location. Hunters should remember to wear helmets and buckle up. Most hunting incidents involving ATVs or UTVs often occur on private lands and are linked by common factors.

"ATVs and UTVs are powerful and potentially dangerous vehicles. Oftentimes, accidents happen by simply going too fast for conditions, not judging the curve correctly or not knowing the terrain," said DNR Conservation Warden Lt. Jon King. "Safety is part of the fun. Please ride responsibly so everyone can get back to their families safely."

Follow these tips for a safe ride:

  • Don't drink and ride.
  • Slow down.
  • Some terrain in Wisconsin is too steep for ATV/UTVs. Please be careful while traversing hills.
  • Complete an ATV safety course. ATV riders at least 12 years old and born after Jan. 1, 1988 must complete a course before operating an ATV. UTV operators must be at least age 16. This course may be completed either in a classroom or online.
  • Display registration ID number on a rear plate for all ATVs and UTVs registered for public use.
  • Always wear a Department of Transportation (DOT)-approved helmet. Hunters are more likely to come across low hanging branches or uneven terrain. Serious injuries and death can occur even at the slowest of speeds.
  • Just as with other vehicles, long guns and bows/crossbows must be fully unloaded before transporting them in or on an ATV or UTV.
  • Remove mud, dirt and any vegetation from your machine before using it in other areas. Machines can easily transport invasive plant species or seeds that are harmful to local habitats.
  • Do not operate in or around waterways or wetlands. ATVs and UTVs are only allowed to cross waterways at bridges, roads or legal fords. Machine use in these areas is illegal and causes serious habitat damage that is very costly to repair.
  • Know before you go. Review all ATV/UTV laws here.

Contact: Lt. Martin R. Stone, DNR Off-Highway Vehicle Administrator
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 608-778-2035
Lt. Jon King, DNR Hunter Education Administrator
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 608-575-2294

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Jackson County Parks & Trails - ALL TRAILS ARE NOW OPEN!!

ALL TRAILS ARE NOW OPEN!!Trails to Millston have been fixed and are open. Some areas may still be rough, use caution! 

The Bell Mound and The Oak Ridge Trails have both been groomed. Trails to from Black River Falls to Hatfield have also been groomed. Trails going to Pray were not groomed due to equipment breakdown.

All of our Parks are FULL for the weekend, we do not have any availability other than our walk-up sites at Wazee Lake, Merlin Lambert and Crawford Hills.

We wish everyone a wonderful Labor Day weekend. We thank you for a very busy summer in our Parks. As summer winds down and fall moves in we are still open to camp first come, first serve. We offer an $80.00/week rate and all sites are $20.00/night.

Remember to continue to practice social distancing, wash your hands often and pick up and liter on the trail system. 

Most importantly, be KIND!

...

Jackson County Parks & Trails - 521 Photos - 6 Reviews - Sports & Recreation - W9790 Airport Rd, Black River Falls, WI 54615

Jackson County Parks & Trails - W9790 Airport Rd, Black River Falls, WI 54615 - Rated 4.3 based on 6 Reviews "Great trails, information, and fun to be...
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WI DNR - ATV/UTV Operators: Ride Responsibly Labor Day Weekend

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 3, 2020
Contact: Lt. Martin R. Stone, DNR Off-Highway Vehicle Administrator
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 608-778-2035


Labor Day weekend is expected to be a busy time on ATV/UTV trails and road routes as many celebrate this final weekend of summer. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

MADISON, Wis. – The DNR is encouraging ATV and UTV operators to brush up on safe practices ahead of the Labor Day holiday. So far in 2020 there have been 23 fatal ATV and UTV incidents, compared to 14 in 2019.

The state's off-highway vehicle administrator says operators of all-terrain vehicles (ATV) and utility-terrain vehicles (UTV) should know the state laws and proven safety practices before enjoying any of Wisconsin's designated trails and routes this weekend.

"Labor Day weekend is expected to be a busy time on our trails and road routes as many celebrate this final weekend of summer," said Lt. Martin R. Stone, Off-Highway Vehicle Administrator for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' Bureau of Law Enforcement. "We want everyone to enjoy themselves and to return home with fun stories of their outings. To do that, knowing the ATV-UTV laws and safe operation practices is a must."

SAFETY TIPS & SAFETY COURSE

Stone said when used safely and wisely, ATVs and UTVs can provide a source of fun and family recreation as well as a useful tool for work and exploring the outdoors. When used unwisely by untrained, inexperienced operators, they can be dangerous. It is the responsibility of all ATV & UTV operators to make the sport a safe one. Please remember these safety tips:

  • Never consume alcohol or drugs before or during your ride.
  • Wear your seat belt and your helmet! It could save your life.
  • While you're at it, wear protective clothing such as eye protection, gloves, long pants and a long-sleeve shirt.
  • Keep your speed in check for the terrain, visibility conditions and your experience.

"One of the best things you can do is take a safety course," Stone said.

The online courses can be found here. ATV and UTV operators born on or after Jan. 1, 1988 who are at least 12 years old for an ATV (and at least 16 years old for UTV) must complete an ATV safety certification course to operate in Wisconsin (exception: on private property owned by operator's immediate family).

NEW LAWS REFRESHER

Stone says the new state laws, which took effect March 4, affect passenger requirements, headlamps, operational requirements, vehicle legal definitions and more. Here are the highlights:

  • ATV operators cannot have a passenger riding in or on any part of an ATV that is not designed or intended to be used by passengers. Previously, this law only applied to roadways. After market seating does not comply with the law.
  • For ATVs, low-pressure tires are no longer required; instead, the only requirement is three or more tires. ATVs are required to be commercially designed and manufactured and their width cannot exceed 50 inches as measured laterally between the outermost wheel rims on each side of the vehicle.
  • For UTVs, low-pressure tires are also no longer required; instead, they must have four or more tires. UTVs must be originally manufactured with, and must have at all times, a width of not more than 65 inches as measured laterally between the outermost wheel rims on each side of the vehicle.
  • ATVs and UTVs must now have a lighted headlamp and tail lamp during operation – regardless of time of day and location.
  • No person (except emergency services personnel) may operate an ATV or UTV that is equipped with any of the following:
    • A lamp that emits a color other than white or amber and that is visible from directly in front of the vehicle.
    • A lamp that emits any color of light other than red, yellow, amber or white and that is visible from directly behind the ATV or UTV.
    • A flashing, oscillating or rotating lamp that emits any color other than yellow or amber.
  • Any person operating an ATV or UTV must dim his or her high-beam headlamps and any auxiliary lamps when within 500 feet of an approaching ATV/UTV or vehicle, and within 500 feet to the rear of another ATV/UTV or vehicle.
  • ATVs and UTVs cannot be operated with anything else other than tires (exception: private property or frozen waters).

You can find more information on ATV and UTV regulations here

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9/2/20 Flambeau Trail Update

9-2-2020 – USFS Crews will be working this week on trail 118C-101 in the Wintergreen area. The rains this past week have resulted in some slightly larger than normal puddles, and combined with the cooler temperatures the trails are in overall GREAT shape with minimal dust! Sailor Lake Campground is located on the Flambeau Trail and has some first come first serve campsites available for the upcoming holiday weekend. Fall colors are right around the corner, with a few trees already starting to turn.

Brady Howe
Recreation

Forest Service

Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest

Medford-Park Falls Ranger District

p: 715-762-5104

1170 4th Ave South
Park Falls, WI 54552
www.fs.fed.us

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