2023 Projects
This provides improved water bottle filling at the office. Funded by the Friends with help from the WDNR Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program.
New educational signs along hiking trails. Funded by the Friends with help from the WDNR Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program.
Rebuilding of the boat landing kiosk by an Eagle Scout from Wisconsin Dells Troop 66. Materials funded by the Friends.
Replaced the woodshed at Bluewater Bay Campground. Funded by the Friends with help from the WDNR Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program.
Replaced an older UTV for use by Camp Hosts and Park Staff to service visitors and maintain the Park. Funded by monies raised through our annual S'more Fun Trail Run in 2021 & 2022.
To improve wheelchair accessibility of the campfire area at the cabin, this project installed a concrete patio around the fire ring and a concrete sidewalk linking the patio to the nearby asphalt path. Funded by the Friends with help from David and Joyce Weizenicker Fund for State Parks.
An area for parking temporarily to launch small boats was built close to the beach. Funded by the Friends with help from the WDNR Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program.
The Friends have been researching and planning for a new Interpretive Center that would be home to our Naturalist Programs, Boat Rentals and an Indoor Gathering space. This initial planning for what will be a long term project was started in 2022.
This is Phase I of a new camp host site at Rocky Arbor State Park to improve service to campers. Includes water and electrical hookups along with an asphalt pad. Funded by the Friends with help from the WDNR Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program.
2022 Projects
In 2014, the Friends partnered with the WDNR to rebuild the amphitheater stage structure out of beautiful Red Cedar timbers. As a continued show of support, the Friends funded the re-staining of the structure by a local contractor to ensure its longevity and beauty remains.
This motorized leaf blower attachment greatly increased the efficiency of cleaning up the campgrounds. Funded entirely by the Friends from your donations and merchandise purchases.
This welder will help park staff refurbish fire rings used the in the campgrounds along with additional park projects and repairs. Funded entirely by the Friends from your donations and merchandise purchases.
An observation platform for mobility impaired visitors was paid for and rebuilt by the Friends.
2021 Projects
An older UTV was replaced . Funded entirely by the Friends from your donations and merchandise purchases.
A new firewood storage/sales shed was purchased for the Sandstone Ridge Campground host site.
Selected Earlier Projects
This hiking trail goes through the historical cottage community of Fern Dell. Thanks to the generous donations by former landowner families, the Seth Peterson Cottage Conservancy and the Dave and Joyce Weizenicker Fund for State Parks, historical interpretive signs were researched, designed and funded along with several benches along the trail. The Friends worked with the Park to install the benches, signs and a split rail fence which was installed at the Pulpit Rock overlook. Funding for installation materials and the fence were provided by the Friends.
More Coming