Friends of the Fox River Trail

The Fox River State Recreational Trail is a premier recreation and transportation trail located in Brown County. It is a linear parkway linking cities and villages along the Fox River with urban amenities, rural vistas, and open farmland. Upgrades to the trail will address the needs of our growing population and the condition of the trail. Currently the 23-year-old four season trail is one of the most popular trails in Wisconsin. The campaign includes replacement of aging culverts, repaving 10.5 miles of deteriorating pavement in the northern urban area, extending 3.4 miles of pavement to the Greenleaf trailhead, the addition of a rural parking lot/trailhead at Midway Road and creating a fund for additional improvements and enhancements. These enhancements will ensure the safety of current users, entice new users, provide wellness opportunities, and promote business and tourism all the way from Green Bay to Greenleaf and into the Fox River Valley.

Trail Management.   The Wisconsin DNR owns the Fox River State Recreational Trail and has designated the Brown County Parks Department as the trail’s caretaker. As such, 70% of the revenue from Wisconsin state trail passes sold in Brown County is used for maintenance of the three state trails within the county. While this funding helps pay for the annual maintenance, it’s not enough to address the structural needs outlined above. Brown County Parks Department and the Friends have worked together to secure funding from taxes, fees and grants available from County, State and Federal programs for the project.

Resurfacing and Extending Pavement Campaign. This campaign is a great example of how Government, Business Partners and Individuals can work together to provide a great community asset like the Fox River Trail that extends through multiple communities. Brown County Parks Department has secured funding for approximately 60% ($1,537,000) of this project through county, state and federal fees, taxes and grants. An additional $481,000 has already been received or pledged to the Friends of the Fox River Trail by individuals, business partners (including the Green Bay Packer Foundation and Kress Foundation), and WI DNR Grants.  A listing of our Platinum donors ($250 or more) and information about the trail and project can be found on our website: www.Friendsfrt.org. We also invite you to visit and share our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/FRTWI The Friends of the Fox River Trail exist to enhance, maintain, and collaborate for all things Fox River Trail. We are especially thankful for the early members and partners who had the vision, commitment, and determination to make the trail a reality. The trail is now nationally recognized and has had over 3 million visitors since it was opened in 2001. It is now our turn to ensure the trail continues to be one of our community’s prize resources. You can make a difference with a donation. If you need more information, e-mail us at: Friendsoffrt@yahoo.com. Donations may be mailed to: Friends of the Fox River.

Donations may be mailed to: Friends of the Fox River Trail, 1794 Allouez Avenue, STE C, #235, Green Bay WI 54311. Please include your e-mail address to receive our newsletters.  Donations may also be made at our website: www.Friendsfrt.org. The Friends of the Fox River Trail is an all volunteer, 501 (3) C non-profit organization.

History and Community Impact • Friends group organized in 1989. • Worked with Wisconsin DNR to purchase right of way for trail. • Grants and partnerships to establish the trail. • Built a restroom at Francis Park. • Pavement extended 3.6 south of De Pere. • Volunteers’ removing Invasive plants. • 10 ft walkway from trail to restroom at Bomier Boat Launch in De Pere. • Way-finding signs installed along the trail. • Partnership with Allouez for improvements at Sunset Park. • Partnerships to create paths to trail from surrounding neighborhoods. • Purchased railroad sidings for two future trailheads/parking lots. • Members and friends have donated benches, trees, bike repair stations, tables and more. • Snow clearing during winter. • Trail Activities encouraging health and tourism including: Cellcom GB Marathon, Turkey Trot, Walk to Mary, Kickin’ It with Cows, Bellin Women’s Half Marathon. • Over 20 restaurants in proximity of the trail. • FFRT monthly newsletter e-mail updates. • Established Resurface and Extend Campaign. • Funded construction of Midway parking lot. • Funded replacement of aging culverts