Here in Northeastern Wisconsin we live amongst an abundance of beauty! With this weekly series “Wisconsin Parks Near Me” we take the opportunity to highlight our community parks we share. We have so many parks we narrowed our focused to a selection along the waterways we paddle (and we still can’t feature them all!). So check out this week’s park details featured below – pack your gear, fill up the picnic basket, don’t forget your hammock or fishing pole.

Address: 224 9^th St., Menasha, WI 54952

Size: 2 launch lanes

Description: Access Little Lake Butte Des Morts from the east at the end of 9^th Street in Menasha. Two docks are available to launch boats and a wide concrete ramp is ideal for kayakers. Lots of parking is available at a nearby lot. Launch for a river cruise or head south into the Little Lake, or just stop by to see the sun set over the water.

Links: http://www.heritageparkway.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/E.Menasha.pdf

In this weekly series we highlight fun, simple games which can be played at your local park, around your campsite firepit, with new friends or family. The games vary from icebreakers, name games, and exercise warm-ups, to puzzles or riddles. Check out our weekly post and get out there and have some fun!

Participants: 5 or more

Equipment: Paper and pen/pencile

Timeframe: 10 to 20 minutes

Objective: To observe how a sentence can evolve. Participants form a circle. The facilitator writes a sentence at the top of a piece of paper and passes it to the next person in the circle. That person draws the sentence (to the best of their ability). The paper is then folded so that the sentence is not visible, and then passed to the next person in the circle. This person looks at the drawing and writes down a sentence to go with it. Participants continue to pass the paper, alternating between writing and drawing. When the paper makes it back to the facilitator, the entire paper is unfolded and read to show the evolution of the sentence. (Warning: This game can easily become inappropriate. Set parameters if desired)

Here in Northeastern Wisconsin we live amongst an abundance of beauty! With this weekly series “Wisconsin Parks Near Me” we take the opportunity to highlight our community parks we share. We have so many parks we narrowed our focused to a selection along the waterways we paddle (and we still can’t feature them all!). So check out this week’s park details featured below – pack your gear, fill up the picnic basket, don’t forget your hammock or fishing pole.

Address: 167 N. Lake St., Neenah, WI 54956

Size: 2.5 Acres

Description: This park is a more recent addition to the Little Lake Butte Des Morts trail and water access system. Parking, a pavilion, and restrooms are all available before launching your yak from the park’s kayak launch or taking a stroll along the pedestrian and bike path. Enjoy access to the whole Loop the Little Lake trail system or take a shorter stroll to fish off the bridge.

Links: https://www.ci.neenah.wi.us/departments/parks-recreation/parks-trails/find-a-park/herb-dolly-smith-park/

In this weekly series we highlight fun, simple games which can be played at your local park, around your campsite firepit, with new friends or family. The games vary from icebreakers, name games, and exercise warm-ups, to puzzles or riddles. Check out our weekly post and get out there and have some fun!

Participants: 5 or more

Equipment: None

Timeframe: 5 to 15 minutes

Objective: To use decision-making skills to come to a vote

This game is great to play around a campfire. Start by saying, “Waffles or pancakes?” The group discusses which item is better. Individuals can share their cases for which they prefer, and then the group votes. The item that gets the least amount of votes is eliminated. Then, someone suggests an item to face off against the “winner”. For example, if waffles is the winner, then the new question could become, “Waffles or ice cream”.