The welcoming of the fall season marks some landmark dates for development projects within the Wisconsin State Park System (WSPS). There are several properties that will be starting campsite electrification projects this fall. We would like to thank you in advance for your patience as we work to update and install new electrical pedestals at many of our properties. We encourage you to explore other WSPS properties this fall and winter should your preferred campground be closed for construction. Below you will find updates on the development projects happening this fall.

Devil’s Lake State Park is undertaking two major projects this fall and winter. The campsite electrification project is proceeding on schedule. The bids came in last week. DNR staff presented the project to the State Building Commission on September 26 and it was approved. Construction contracts will be issued the last week in September and construction is expected to begin by late October, and barring any major weather events, is scheduled to be completed by early summer 2013. Construction will include updating and installing new electrical pedestals at the Quartzite, Northern Lights and Ice Age campgrounds.

Starting October 8, 2012 all family campsites at Devil’s Lake State Park will be closed for reservation for the fall and winter. If you are interested in camping during the fall and winter, please call the park directly. Due to construction, the availability of sites changes on a daily basis. Contact the park 1-2 days prior to your arrival to check which areas are being offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

The other major project happening at Devil’s Lake is the construction of sewage processing lift stations at the north and south shores. While this project is paramount to the operation of the park, most visitors will not be inconvenienced or even notice the construction happening this fall and winter. Most of the work being done will take place under ground and in staff-only areas of the park; however, there will be portions of the south shore beach and picnic area that will be unavailable for use this fall and winter due to construction. This project is scheduled to begin in late fall and be completed in early summer 2013.

Peninsula State Park fall development projects include campsite electrification, Nicolet Beach shoreline restoration and Nicolet Boat Launch renovation. The bids for the campsite electrification project were received last week. DNR staff presented the project to the State Building Commission on September 26 and it was approved. Construction contracts will be issued the last week in September and construction is expected to begin by late October, and barring any major weather events, is scheduled to be completed by early summer 2013. Construction will include updating and installing new electrical pedestals at the South Nicolet, Tennison, and Weborg campgrounds.

The Nicolet Beach area will be closed for construction starting in early October. The beach retaining wall will be removed and replaced with natural sand dunes, boardwalks and plantings. This work is scheduled to be completed this winter. Other areas of the beach including the picnic areas, playground concession building and bike rentals will follow their normal operating days and hours. The beach will reopen during the spring of 2013.

The Nicolet Boat Launch renovations project is currently planned to be constructed during the winter of 2012-2013 and is scheduled to be completed by early summer 2013.

Starting October 16, 2012 all campsites at Peninsula State Park will be closed for reservation for the fall and winter. If you are interested in camping during the fall and winter, please call the park directly. Due to construction, the availability of sites changes on a daily basis. Contact the park 1-2 days prior to your arrival to check which areas are being offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Kettle Moraine State Forest Northern Unit and Southern Unit will each be adding new electrical pedestals to non-electric sites this fall. Bids for these projects were received last week. Construction contracts will soon be issued, work is set to begin by mid-October and barring any major weather events, will be completed during the winter 2012/2013. This project includes the addition of 16 newly electrified sites and 3 upgraded sites at Long Lake Campground and 15 newly electrified sites at Ottawa Lake campground. This project also includes the construction of electrical infrastructure to accommodate for future electrical site expansion.

Wildcat Mountain State Park and Yellowstone Lake State Park will also be upgrading and adding newly electrified sites this fall. Construction contracts have been issued and work is set to begin in late October and anticipated to finish during the 2012/2013 winter.

Thank you again for your patience during this very busy time at our State Parks. Project updates will be communicated as more detailed construction schedules, photos and general construction information becomes available.

We are excited to provide these services to our visitors and we look forward to seeing you for the summer 2013 camping season. For more information on the projects outlined above, please visit our website at dnr.wi.gov, keyword parks.

Logo courtesy Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources