A Place to Pause
New Seating comes to
Hidden Ponds Trail
We’re saving a spot for you! We invite you and your group to pause along the water, and soak in the quiet beauty of Hidden Ponds Trail.
As one of the only paved, universally accessible paths at Willow River State Park, the Hidden Ponds Nature Trail holds a special place in our park community. The 0.5-mile loop right behind the Nature Center is a favorite for families with strollers, visitors using mobility devices, young explorers following the animal track rubbing posts, and anyone looking for a gentle walk through nature.
However, to make the trail truly welcoming to everyone, visitors needed more places to pause, rest, and take in the peaceful surroundings. Adding sturdy, accessible seating along key viewable spots was essential to ensuring every visitor—regardless of age or mobility level—could enjoy the trail comfortably and at their own pace.
Finding the Funds: The Volunteer Effort Behind the Benches
Bringing new infrastructure to the park requires dedicated effort long before any tools touch the ground. Powered entirely by volunteers, our Grant Research Team meets weekly to search for funding opportunities that turn state park needs into actionable community projects.
Supported by the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin
Finding funding for park infrastructure means finding partners who care as deeply about accessibility as we do. Our team found that exact match in the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin. Known for their commitment to conserving state lands and expanding outdoor access, the Foundation awarded us a grant that directly funded this trail enhancement.
Their support reflects a shared belief that public lands are at their best when everyone in our community has a comfortable, welcoming place to enjoy them. Thanks to their generous partnership, visitors of all ages, families with strollers, and seniors can rest comfortably while exploring one of our park's most accessible trails.
We extend our deepest gratitude to the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin for their commitment to expanding outdoor access and protecting the natural spaces we love.
Trailside Teamwork: Friends Volunteers Team Up with the DNR
Securing the grant was only the first step—getting the benches secured along the Hidden Ponds loop required real hands-on coordination. Friends volunteers worked side by side with DNR staff at Willow River State Park to prep the trailside areas. Together, they cleared brush, dug post holes, leveled the terrain, and landscaped around each scenic spot before anchoring every bench safely into place.
Thanks to this close partnership, every bench is now safely anchored at scenic spots along the trail, welcoming visitors to sit, rest, and enjoy the park.
