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Planning & Parks
Park Reservations
Our department has recently switched to a new online reservation system for our park spaces. If you would like to make a reservation please visit Parks, Recreation & Culture.
Lion's Den Nature Preserve - Public Bidding
For more information and instructions on how to submit a bid, please visit https://www.co.ozaukee.wi.us/Bids.aspx
Virmond Park Stairway Donation
Donations for the Virmond County Park Staircase Construction Project can be made online by clicking the button below, or by mail. All donations are tax deductible.
If you would like to donate by check, please make the check out to "Ozaukee County Planning and Parks Department." A note should be put on the check "Donation - Virmond County Park Stairway Project" or similar.
Checks can be mailed to:
Ozaukee County Planning and Parks Department
Attn: Andrew Struck
121 W. Main Street, P.O. Box 994
Port Washington, WI 53704
(PayPal is returning an error message if paying with a credit card before logging into a PayPal Account. If you would like to pay directly with a credit card without using PayPal, please call the Planning and Parks Department at 262-284-8257)
Donors who give $100 or more may choose to have an 8” x 4” brick engraved with a message of their choice as a permanent part of the path leading to the stairway. Donations of $250 or more may engrave an 8”x8” brick.
The 8" x 4" bricks can fit 3 lines and 16 characters per line including spaces. The 8" x 8" bricks can fit 6 lines and 16 characters per line including spaces.
Donors who donate $100 or more can contact Brittany Hahn to coordinate the wording on their brick.
Construction Update: Lake Access Staircase
Construction on this unique public access stairway to Lake Michigan is approximately 50% complete. To date, this work was largely completed during the winter months. A phased construction schedule has been necessary due to grant funding timelines and suitable site conditions. Department staff, contractors, and other partners have been continually observing site conditions throughout 2021 for suitable, safe access to continue project activities. The remaining construction work will resume in late fall 2021 and winter 2022 under frozen conditions, with expected completion in summer 2022. Restoration activities will continue into spring and summer 2022 as site conditions and remaining grant match funding allows.
More information can be found here.
The Ozaukee County Planning and Parks Department is constructing a new open-air shelter at Covered Bridge Park. Please see the link below for detailed information on the project.
The Department and its consultant completed the design, engineering, and public bidding for a new multi-purpose building at Covered Bridge Park, which will include bathrooms, a picnic shelter, and a storage area for equipment and supplies. The new building, currently under construction by a private contractor, is located at the southwest corner of the Park near Covered Bridge Road and Cedar Creek Road. The building design and exterior colors have been selected to complement the architecture and colors of the historic Covered Bridge. Covered Bridge Park is a highly visited site in the Ozaukee Park system and routinely is the location for large groups and events, including weddings. This project will improve Park user experience and alleviate the need for staff to bring in equipment and supplies for Parks maintenance from offsite. Construction activities are scheduled to be complete by January 2022.
More information can be found here.
Important COVID-19 Update:
At this time, all Ozaukee County Parks and facilities remain open. If you chose to visit one of the parks, please remember CDC guidelines.
HH Peters Youth Camp will be closed and will not be taking reservations for June. Updates will be provided as further information dictates.
Information about Department staff availability: To mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus and to protect the health and safety of our communities, a majority of Ozaukee County Planning and Parks Department staff are transitioning to telecommuting and will not be available in person. This move is consistent with public health guidance to limit exposure. Our staff who are able to work remotely will do so and will be able to respond to inquiries through email and Facebook. We are working with staff who cannot work remotely to accommodate their situations. Social distancing and preventing potential infections are key areas we can help with to hopefully curtail the impacts of this outbreak.
To contact Department Staff please reference the following list:
- Andrew Struck, Director – Email
- Matt Aho, Program Manager - Email
- Natalie Cotter, Planning and GIS Specialist - Email
- Jon Stahl, Golf Course Superintendent - Email
- Kristina (Tina) Kroening - Conservation Biologist - Email
- Ryan Miller - FP/Ecological Program Assistant II - Email
- Evan Hewes - Golf Courses Pro Shop Supervisor - Email
- Cindy DeGroot - Administrative Manager – Email
- Angie Richter - Natural Resources and GIS Technician - Email
The Department phone number is still active and being monitored for calls: 262-284-8257
With an increase in the prevalence of COVID-19 in and around Ozaukee County, we are using the best information we have to take proactive steps to protect the health of our community. We know that outdoor spaces are critical to the mental and physical health of our community, now more than ever. We are doing our best to maintain the current level of services. Park visitors may want to bring hand sanitizer with them as they go out to our parks, just to be safe. At this time we are not able to wipe down playground equipment, tables, or other surfaces at the parks.
For more information on COVID-19 cases in Wisconsin, please visit the Wisconsin Department of Health page: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/outbreaks/index.htm
Mission
"To provide opportunities for Ozaukee County residents and visitors of Ozaukee County to appreciate and enjoy the natural and cultural resources, local ecology, recreational experiences, well planned sustainable growth and improved quality of life in Ozaukee County through the preservation, restoration and management of natural resources, increased awareness and education, stewardship, promotion of tourism, comprehensive planning, and the acquisition, development, enhancement and operation of large scale, intergovernmental recreational opportunities including exceptionally well-maintained golf courses, multi-use trails and parks."