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Pier open on River Road

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From right, Shadows on the Wolf Shiocton Chapter President Kevin Conradt and Vice President Bob Voelz pose with New London Public Services Director Chad Hoerth on the new fishing pier overlooking the Embarrass River near the State Highway 54 overpass. Scott Bellile photo

New pier, kayak launch on Embarrass River

By Scott Bellile


A new fishing pier and kayak launch are now available to the public along the Embarrass River.

Both resources can be accessed on River Road off State Highway 54, just north of the New London Jaycees Dog Park.

The pier and kayak launch opened to the public in early June, New London Public Services Director Chad Hoerth said.

The Shiocton chapter of Shadows on the Wolf, a regional outdoors group that organizes projects primarily related to the Wolf River, financed and developed the additions to the city.

“It is an accessible fishing pier, which is really good, so if you have any time of mobility challenge, you can get onto the fishing pier and you’re cantilevered over the river,” Hoerth said.

Handicapped parking will be installed next to the pier shortly, Hoerth said. A parking lot is located across the street for everyone without a handicapped parking pass.

There is a streetlight nearby so people can fish after dark as well.

The city of New London bought a former park and ride and the section of shoreline from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for $5,000 to help implement the project. The city will also maintain the land.

The work was done not by the city but by Shadows on the Wolf with the help of local businesses. Tom-Cin Metals of Hortonville built the pier and discounted the cost of materials. Wilkinson Excavating of Shiocton did the digging. Highway Landscapers of Kaukauna donated a guardrail post.

Kevin Conradt, president of Shiocton’s Shadows on the Wolf chapter, asks visitors to use the pier and launch responsibly. He said the site has already been vandalized twice by someone building a fire on the concrete foundation in front of the pier. Somebody also knocked down a wooden barrier to back up their vehicle in front of the pier, Conradt said.

Negativity aside, Conradt said people appear to be enjoying the pier and kayak launch.

“Ninety percent of the time we come, there’s always somebody using it,” Conradt said. ”Sometimes we get feedback, but the biggest response you can get is just driving by and seeing people using it. Then you know you accomplished something.”

The project was planned for more than three years. Hoerth met with Shadows on the Wolf leaders about the undertaking in January 2015, according to a Press Star article from around that time.

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