MERRILL, WI (WSAU-WXPR) –A freshly paved trail now connects Council Grounds State Park to the City of Merrill via the River Bend Trail.
It brings the total mileage of the trail to 5.5 connecting all the way to the Culvers at Hwy 64 and Pine Ridge Avenue. It’s a trail that’s been years in the making, according to River District Development Foundation Vice President Greg Hartwig.
“It’s actually a really cool portion of trail. There’s stone walls back there from when the train used to go through there. It was a railroad bed. There’s steps leading down to where people probably got on the train or access the river there. There’s some old wrought iron gates there. It’s a really neat section of trail,” said Hartwig.
The latest segment of trail was just paved last week. Fencing still needs to go up before it’s officially open. The Friends of the River Bend Trail group is also currently fundraising for lights along the trail. “It’s the only way we get this trail done is through donations,” said Hartwig.
Donations helped build the recently completed accessible fishing pier on the river. “It’s called with Gene Weith Memorial Fishing Pier. He was an outdoorsman, and his wife started this campaign for this fishing pier,” said Hartwig.
Hartwig is excited for people to have a safe and scenic route to get people to the city and Council Grounds by biking or walking. He’s also excited because it brings them a step closer to the long-term goal of connecting Merrill to Wausau, and eventually Tomahawk, by trail. “That’s the section that’s missing out of the trail system in this area of Wisconsin. To go from like Green Bay to Superior we need this section developed,” said Hartwig.
Hartwig said the new lights will cost about $90,000. Donations can be mailed to Friends of RBT, PO Box 561, Merrill, WI 54452 If donations are in memory of someone, in honor of someone, or for a specific item please make a note of that.
You can also contact the Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce at 715-536-9474 or email them at info@merrillchamber.org Credit card donations can be made through the chamber website at www.merrillchamber.org
You can stay up to date on trail development projects on the Friends of the River Bend Trail Facebook Page.
