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Winter rec options in Waupaca

Sledding, snowshoeing, skiing and skating

By Angie Landsverk


The winter season brings opportunities for sledding, snowshoeing, skiing and skating in Waupaca.

“The sled hill is open as long as there is snow on it,” said Andrew Whitman, Waupaca’s parks and recreation director.

Located at Swan Park, the sled hill is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The lights turn on there at dusk and go off shortly after the hill closes for the day, he said.

The sled hill’s rules are posted.

Waupaca’s sled hill is not staffed, and people are not to walk on the sled runs.

They are to walk to the north side of the berm when walking up the hill.

Riders must face forward and sled in a sitting position.

Surfing, skiing and snowboarding are not allowed.

Building jumps or ramps is also not allowed.

The designated area for sledding is on the hill’s east slope.

If the hill is posted as “closed,” sledding is prohibited due to weather or surface conditions.

Tuck in scarves, strings and long hats before sledding down the hill.

While the Waupaca Parks and Recreation Department does not require people to wear a fitted ski or hockey helmet, the department encourages all users to do so to protect against brain injuries.

Only plastic sleds and snow tubes are allowed on the sled hill.

Saucers, toboggans and sleds with metal runners are prohibited.

Parents and guardians are responsible for their children, and any accidents or injuries are to be reported to park staff.

Problems or damage to the sled hill are to be reported immediately by calling 715-258-4435.

People are to call “911” in emergencies.

Whitman also reminds people the department uses its Snowdog machine to groom the trail at Swan Park.

The trail’s loops may be used for hiking, snowshoeing and cross country skiing.

“As soon as we can after a fresh snow, we will run it through the loops at Swan Park,” he said. “It’s just meant to keep the trails open through the winter. If there is enough interest, we can look at doing other trails as well.”

Whitman said they want people from the community to be able to use trails through the winter.

“We will monitor usage, and if we need to look at doing other areas, we will do that as well,” he said.

Parks and Rec is moving the city’s ice rink back to Shadow Lake this winter season.

“All of it will be based on ice conditions,” Whitman said. “It will be by Lower South Park, in the corner.”

The department tried having the rink at Swan Park the past two years, he said.

“Some people used it, but we just really struggled with a lot of issues out there,” Whitman said.

He said it is typically windy at that park.

That created waves in the ice when they first put the water out there to create the rink.

“Deer would walk on it and puncture the plastic under the ice,” he said. ”It just really wasn’t cost effective for the community to keep trying it out there.”

Moving the rink to Shadow Lake brings the community back to the old days, Whitman said.

The location is also visible and accessible, he said.

“We will try to maintain it the best we can. If the ice is unsafe, we will put signs out so people know,” Whitman said. “We will do our best to keep it clear, clean and accessible for people this winter.”

There are a number of options for people to get outside this winter.

He also noted Winter Rec Fest is Saturday, Feb. 9, at the sled hill.

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