This year, Wisconsin’s state parks celebrate their 125th anniversary. It’s an occasion to be proud of, but it’s hard to celebrate without some reservations.
The reason for my concern lies in the ongoing damage caused by the policies of former Governor Scott Walker, which remain largely in place due to the Republican-controlled Legislature.
Wisconsin’s first state park, Interstate State Park, was established in 1900 along the St. Croix River. Since then, the state has expanded its park system, which now includes 50 state parks, 15 state forests, 44 state trails, and 9 state recreation areas. These parks protect some of Wisconsin’s most beautiful natural sites, from Copper Falls’ waterfalls and canyons to the scenic views of Point Beach and Rock Island, and the bluffs of Devils Lake.
These parks aren’t just an environmental asset — they’re also an economic powerhouse, contributing to Wisconsin’s $9 billion outdoor recreation economy. More than 22 million people visit our parks every year.
However, there’s an important historical lesson tied to this anniversary. While the celebrations date back to 1900, Wisconsin’s first state park wasn’t created until 1878. The state Legislature passed a law to protect 760 square miles of timberland in northern Wisconsin, making it the first state park in the country. However, after little effort to establish it and under pressure from timber interests, the law was repealed 20 years later. This early failure is a cautionary tale that reflects the current state of our parks.
Under Walker and the Republican-controlled Legislature, funding for our state parks was slashed. Parks are now primarily funded by user fees, with minimal support from the state budget. In contrast, parks across the nation receive more balanced funding, with Wisconsin spending only $1.08 per park visitor compared to the national average of $3. As a result, our state parks have the lowest funding in the country.
This lack of support has led to a crisis in park infrastructure. According to the parks director, there is a backlog of over $1 billion in needed repairs, including bridges, roads, and water systems. The American Society of Civil Engineers recently gave Wisconsin’s parks a “D” grade in its infrastructure report card.
Staffing has also been drastically reduced. For example, North Kettle Moraine State Forest, which spans 30,000 acres, only has six full-time and two temporary staff members to maintain it.
I recently visited several state parks in Minnesota, and the contrast in infrastructure quality was stark. While both states have similar park systems, Minnesota spends nearly three times as much on maintenance and staffing. Unlike Wisconsin, Minnesota relies on user fees for only 36% of its park funding.
I love Wisconsin’s parks, whether it’s paddleboarding on Mirror Lake, skiing at Blue Mounds, or hiking at Wyalusing. But if we truly want to celebrate their 125th anniversary, we need to reverse the funding cuts made under Walker and return to a balanced funding model that has served our parks well in the past.
