Summer to do: Camps, river activities, fishing, swimming, garden party, parks and more
By Correne Martin
The Prairie du Chien Parks and Recreation Department works hard all year to plan programs for the public, especially for families and children. In the spring and summer, activities are numerous.
Each year, Parks and Rec Director Mike Ulrich, his staff and volunteers try to plan new events, camps, leagues and more that will appeal to residents, non-residents and visitors. The many parks, shelters, outdoor pool, Hoffman Hall and other scenic locations in the Prairie du Chien area serve as home to these lively offerings. Certainly, the standard programs, such as baseball, junior golf, tennis, volleyball, canoe/kayak and fitness classes are always scheduled and have a good amount of participants.
For more details on any parks and rec activities, contact Ulrich at 326-7207, pick up a copy of the spring/summer activity guide at city hall or the chamber office, or find it online at prairieduchien.info.
Thanks to city staff and a host of volunteers and sponsors, these programs are available free or at a low cost.
For the little ones & family
Preschool-age youth have some exciting new camps available to them this year. Dinosaur Camp is held July 5-8 at Hoffman Hall. Discover how dinosaurs lived through cool activities, Jurassic interaction and fun. Creatures of the Deep Camp, Aug. 1-4 or Aug. 8-11 allows kids to explore and learn about ocean life through interactive games, crafts and more. Both these camps are open to 8-10 year olds.
“The person teaching these (classes) is a marine biologist and she has experience with kids,” Ulrich said.
Preschool Safety Camp will feature special guests teaching safety, arts and crafts, games and other fun. This is open to 4-6 year olds and meets June 27-30.
For additional unique experiences, youth can join Dramahawks Jr. Camp, Outdoor Adventure Day Camp, fishing derbies, Hook and Ladder Family Fishing and Paddling Fun Day, and canoe/kayak classes—all back by popular demand.
“Our outdoor programs have been very popular. We could hardly keep up with all the kids who wanted to paddle last year (at the Hook and Ladder event),” Ulrich said.
One similar but new activity will be the Family Nature Guided Water Paddle, July 23. For this, an area paddling instructor and local historical naturalist will provide a tour of the backwaters of the Mississippi River. Hop in a canoe or kayak—your own or rented—at Washington Street Park and enjoy this one-of-a-kind adventure.
“This will be a different way to experience local history and the river,” Ulrich commented.
Special needs/ADRC focus
Fishing Fun Nights is a new program this year offered in an effort to provide more opportunities for seniors and individuals with special needs. The recreation department is teaming up with the ADRC to plan great fishing experiences on Monday nights at Washington Street Park. All equipment and bait is provided, and fishing educators will be ready to help you catch the big one.
“This is the first year we’re trying this. It’s basically an opportunity to fish, relax, tell stories and have fun in nature,” Ulrich said. “It’s geared toward the special needs and senior population, but if anybody wants to show up, they’re welcome to do so.”
More river recreation
Experienced paddlers may be interested in hitting the lower Wisconsin River/Mississippi River backwaters and some of the smaller inland rivers such as the Yellow and Kickapoo, with a small group called the Great River Paddlers Club. These paddlers float the waters on Sundays at 10 a.m., starting at different boat landings and usually taking three-hour tours. For more information, contact Sally Marshall at 326-0542 or tigerlilly4434yahoo.com.
As always, the outdoor recreation center is available June through September on the weekends from noon to 4 p.m. Individuals of all ages, families and groups can rent canoes, kayaks, bikes/helmets, fishing poles and disc golf equipment for two or four hours at a time. Other days and times may be available for reservations by request.
“This is the fourth year for our outdoor rec center. Last year was by far the best,” Ulrich stated. “The amount of local people and out-of-towners who are aware of it has increased. Last year, we extended hours through September. It’s good to see the equipment getting used.”
Ulrich added that, thanks to a great number of volunteers who give of their time and talents, especially the local Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts, this center has become quite the convenient amenity for the community.
Outdoor pool always fun
The Wacouta Aquatic Park officially opened for the season Saturday, June 4 and will remain open daily until Aug. 19. The pool will be closed July 9 to accommodate the Southwest Wisconsin Swim Meet. Otherwise, the schedule is as follows:
Monday - Friday
•Lap swim—8-9:15 a.m.
•Water aerobics—8:30-9:15 a.m. (Mon-Wed-Fri)
•Swim lessons—9:10-11:50 a.m.
•Swim team—11:50 a.m. - 1 p.m.
•Open swim—1-4:45 p.m.
•Lap swim—4:45-6:45 p.m.
•Water aerobics—5:30-6:15 p.m. (Tues-Thurs) and deep water (Wed)
•Open swim—6:15-8 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday
•Lap swim—12-1 p.m.
•Open swim—1-7 p.m.
•Lap swim—4:45-7 p.m.
Pool passes are available. Lessons are provided free to Prairie du Chien School District residents. Call 326-8071 with questions.
“City staff redid the siding on the pool house and worked on the cracks on the decking. It should be real nice for pool patrons this year,” Ulrich noted.
Four pool parties are planned this summer, June 22, 1:30-3 p.m.; July 6, 1:30-3 p.m.; July 27 7-8:30 p.m.; and Aug. 10, 1:30-3 p.m.
After the outdoor pool closes for the season, the annual Puppy Paddle will allow friendly dogs, current on all vaccinations, to splash in the pool waters before it is cleaned and closed for the season.
Brewers, garden parties, La Riviere Park, oh my!
The parks and rec department’s annual Brewers Bus Trip is scheduled for Thursday, June 30, for the 1 p.m. game. A coach bus will depart from Hoffman Hall at 8:30 a.m. and arrive back in Prairie du Chien around 8 p.m. Seats are sold on a first come first serve basis. Sign up and pay at city hall. Participants should bring food and drinks for the trip. This event is made possible by generous donations from Southwest Collision Center and Mark and Megan Pedretti.
“This is by far the cheapest trip you can get anywhere,” Ulrich said. “Our seats are in the outfield in the shade and it’s a great family event.”
Another new event, Went to a Garden Party, July 20, at 5 p.m., will celebrate the St. Feriole Island Memorial Gardens and its many tastes, smells and spectacular views.
The 300-acre, city-managed La Riviere Park is a naturally beautiful place to experience forest, grasslands, native prairie, hiking trails, nature viewing, bird watching, horse trails, archery, primitive camping, picnics and more for free.
“The volunteers out there have made that place look wonderful,” Ulrich said. “There are three walk-in, rustic sites; just park by the barn and write down which campsite you’re using. There are also new picnic tables and new power.”
Don’t forget about The Trail of Presidents, the Rotary Disc Golf Course, the PdC Skate Park, the Mississippi River Sculpture Park and the many other parks within the city—all amazing places to visit locally. And when you’re done here, and considering taking a summer vacation to Wisconsin Dells, House on the Rock, or the Milwaukee County Zoo, contact city hall and you can access discounted admission tickets to Noah’s Ark, Mt. Olympus, the Army Ducks, etc., for the whole family.
“These are significant deals through the Wisconsin Parks and Recreation Association. You won’t find a better deal,” Ulrich said.
Watch future issues of the Courier Press for more information about the Concerts in the Park, which begins June 16, and the new Fort Fun Family Summer Olympic Games, July 16—both additional programs of parks and rec.
