Racine County Parks

05/28/2026

This weekend is a great opportunity to check out the newest Eagle Scout projects at Wadewitz Nature Park!

Project 1️⃣: In case you haven’t seen it yet, Conrad Behling completely overhauled the park’s hiking trails. Conrad dedicated new routes based on difficulty, signed the trails, and installed a new map and information board.

Project 2️⃣: Trevor Brien built and installed a gaga ball pit near the barn. Gaga ball is played by many worldwide, and is becoming increasingly common among Scouts. Don’t know how to play? Don’t worry! Trevor made sure to include a rule board. Just bring your own soft ball or kickball!

We’d like to thank these gentlemen for their efforts in making this park more accessible and enjoyable to all.

📍Wadewitz Nature Park
🗺️ 2716 Buena Park Road, Rochester, WI 53105

As a reminder, dogs are NOT allowed at Wadewitz as per Racine County Ordinance 14-73.

05/20/2026

We are looking to hire an additional Park Mower ASAP! If you have experience with zero-turn mowers, push mowers, string trimmers, and hauling equipment, we want to hear from you!

This position’s hours are Monday – Thursday, 6am-4pm (weather-dependent). This assignment is from now through approximately mid-October. Compensation is $19.83 per hour.

Send your resume to [email protected] with “Mower” mentioned in the subject line.

Applicants must be 18 years or older with a valid Wisconsin driver’s license.

05/12/2026

Important closure information for anyone at the Racine Reefpoint Marina today!

TODAY’S CONSTRUCTION NOTICE ⚠️🚧

The East Bath House is temporarily closed today, tentatively from 7 AM – 6 PM, due to a full water shutdown for construction connections tied to our new dockside pump-out services for the Phase 1 docks.

Please utilize:
• Main Admin Building restrooms & showers
• West Bath House facilities

We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and greatly appreciate your patience as we continue making exciting improvements throughout Reefpoint Marina! ❤️

Pardon our dust… BIG things are happening! 👏

05/01/2026

We’re excited to welcome the newest members of our Parks team, whose first week has already flown by! Looking forward to a great summer! ☀️

Alright… if you’ve been outside lately, you already know that Racine County Parks don’t miss.

From Browns Lake views that carry all summer, to trails, and spaces people actually want to be… this is one of the best park systems in the state. And it doesn’t happen by accident.

Shoutout to our newest hires joining the Parks team :

Andrew Jutrzonka – Mower
Perry Zamagne – Mower
Ryan Zynda – Mower
Evelyn Tahmazian – Park Coordinator

You’re stepping into a role where your work is seen every single day...literally. Clean spaces, maintained grounds, smooth operations… that’s all you.

No pressure…but people notice when it’s done right.

And let’s be real working somewhere people go to relax, recharge, and enjoy their time? That’s a different kind of job.

We’re glad you’re here. Let’s get to work

04/24/2026

Join us for Stronger Together Fest, a FREE youth wellness event, on Friday, May 30 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Bushnell Park in Burlington.
This festival-style celebration is all about helping girls create, move, connect, and explore fun ways to support their mental and physical health.
Enjoy:
🧘 yoga + movement
🎨 crafts + creation
🌸 self-care stations
🎉 games + activities
🐾 Nugget the therapy dog
🍔 free food + drinks
🎁 swag bags + raffle prizes
Registration is not required, but it helps organizers plan for enough food and supplies:
https://hipaa.jotform.com/form/260605751640150
Girl Scouts who attend will receive a free fun patch!

04/22/2026

CAPTION CONTEST!

One of our Park Technicians, Joe, spotted this fisherman along the Fox River (or rather, in?) at Case Eagle Park in Rochester, WI yesterday.

04/02/2026

👀 EGG DROP ALERT! 👀

The Easter Bunny feels a little un-hoppy that there is no Easter Egg Hunt at Case Eagle Park this year. Even so, the Easter Bunny is still feeling festive.

Over the next few hours, the Easter Bunny will be placing one goody bag in each of six parks across Racine County.

Follow the comments to see when and where each bag is dropped.

If you find one, help us keep the fun going by sharing a photo of the bag in the comments or giving our office a call!

03/13/2026

⚠️ TRAIL CLOSURE ⚠️

The White River State Trail will be closed east of County Highway J due to unexpected maintenance. We will update this post when it is reopen to the public.

03/04/2026

Today is our department's 100th anniversary! 🥳

In 1925, the leaders of Racine County recognized the growing need for public parks and open spaces in southeastern Wisconsin. Despite half of WIsconsin's population living in the area (more than a million people), only one eight-acre park near Delafield served the area. The rise of the automobile brought thousands in search of forests, lakes, and natural scenery. Private landowners became frustrated with trespassers and posted "KEEP OUT" signs. The Racine County Board of Supervisors took action and formed the Racine County Parks Commission, which held its first meeting on March 4, 1926.

In 1928, the Racine County Parks Commission acquired its first park, Colonel Heg Park. From there, it added Sanders Park (1930), Old Settlers Park (1935), Pritchard Park (1942), Evans Park (1945), and Beaumont Park (1945).

In 1947, the commission was dissolved, and its functions were delagated to Racine County Public Works. Afterward, several parks were added, including Fischer Park (1947), Tabor Park (1962), Skewes Park (1963), Eagle Lake Park (1965), Cliffside Park (1966), and Bushnell Park (1966).

In 1966, the Racine County Board recognized the need to expand facilities for the growing population. The board formed an Open Space Acquisition Committee. During that year, Racine County hired its first full-time Parks Director, Karl Holzwarth. The County began participating in federal and state funding programs for park land acquisition and development.

Since 1966, the County has since added or developed several parks, including Quarry Lake Park (1967), Case Eagle Park (1970), Root River Parkway/Horlick Park (1974), Koerber Park (1977), Wadewitz Nature Camp (1983), Len Ziolkowski Harbor Park (1987), John Margis Wildlife Area (1988), Haban Park (1994), Saller Woods (1996), River Bend (2012), and Franksville Memorial Park (2021).

The pictures in this post are some of our favorites throughout the years and include individual captions with more information.

Thank you for allowing us to serve you! We love what we do and we are happy to be here.

02/27/2026

⚠️ TRAIL CLOSURE ⚠️

The North Shore Bike Trail will be closed south of Chicory Road through the weekend for maintenance. Access to the trail is still available north of Chicory Road.

This post will be updated when the trail is reopen.