Activities & Ideas for Celebrating National Park & Recreation Month This July (Plus a preview of August Outdoor Happenings You Won’t Want to Miss!)

In Marathon County, we encourage you to celebrate Park and Recreation Month this July by visiting one of our City or County Parks. Then take our July social media challenge and share how parks and recreation in your community has impacted your life with the hashtag: #OurParkAndRecStory

Check out our online Spring & Summer Recreation Guide, which is jam-packed with outdoor activities and programming that your local park and recreation professionals have planned for you to enjoy in Marathon County.

Plus, get a bonus sneak peek at some August events like a Dog-Gone Pool Party, Movie in the Park & Family Pajama Party, Marathon County Park 100+1 Anniversary Event. View all this and more in the full article… (Click the title for details.)

New Recreation Superintendent Mark Dorow to Manage City & County Recreation Facilities & Programs

Mark Dorow comes to the Wausau / Marathon County Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department with over 11 years of experience providing recreation programs, with an emphasis on aquatic programming.

Learn about Mark’s background, his collaboration with Wausau Area Pickleball to offer pickleball classes and a tournament at the newly renovated Marathon Park pickleball courts, and more. (Click the title for details . . .)

See Why the Central WI Chinese New Year Celebration Was a Hit!

Over 750 people attended the Chinese New Year Festival — including a special guest appearance by Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes — to learn more about Chinese culture and enjoy award-winning entertainment. Get a recap of the event, complete with pictures and a video clip of the traditional lion dance. (Click the title for details . . .)

Marathon County’s Consultant Completes Broadband Assessment

Read the full Broadband Assessment and Plan (or an Executive Summary) to learn what a consultant identified as Marathon County’s needs to expand high-speed internet access to 90% of the County and implement a system that can grow to accommodate future growth. (Click the title for details . . .)

Deputies Michael Van Offeren and Brian Modrzejewski

New Recreation Deputies Will Enhance Marathon County’s Public Safety Presence in Forests, Parks, & Other County Lands

In a creative partnership, the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office and Parks, Recreation, & Forestry Department have teamed up to hire 2 Recreation Deputies to enhance public safety on County-owned lands.

Read the full article to learn more about these Deputies and the State aid that will help fund 70–80% of the costs of one of the positions. It’s a win-win for all involved! (Click the title for details . . .)

6 Adventures to Lure You Outdoors in Marathon County This Winter

Enjoy our Wisconsin winters more with 6 specially picked adventures that are sure to provide you with heaps of winter fun. Try something new, or pick up an outdoor pastime from your childhood.

HOLIDAY HINT: Sylvan Hill Tubing “gift certificate” coupons can be purchased at the Park Office or Sylvan Hill. They make a great last-minute holiday gift idea or stocking stuffer!

(Click the title for details . . .)

Exploring the Proposed 2020–2024 Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (CORP) for Marathon County Parks & Forests

The Marathon County Park System will celebrate its 100-year anniversary in 2020!

This anniversary celebration provides a great backdrop to update the County’s Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (CORP), which will help guide the maintenance, planning, and development of the park system for the next 5 years (2020–2024) while also aligning Marathon County with state and regional initiatives to promote outdoor recreation.

The County Board will consider the latest draft of the CORP at their December meeting, so it’s not too late for your voice to be heard. (Click the title for details . . .)

It’s Zamboni Season at the Marathon County Ice Arena :: Come Check Out Our Ice at Scary Skate, Open Skating, or a RiverWolves Hockey Game!

October means the start of indoor ice skating at the Marathon Park Ice Arena. Learn about skate rentals and public-skating hours at the indoor ice arena at Marathon Park.

Plus, the public is invited to the County’s first-ever “Scary Skate” on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019, where children and youth can get treats and meet and skate with the Wausau RiverWolves Hockey Team in a spooky Halloween-themed atmosphere at Marathon Park Ice Arena Rink #1. (Click the title for details)

Blazing Trails :: Marathon County’s ATV/UTV Opportunities

In Marathon County, there are 2 unique trails open for public ATV/UTV use:
(1) Burma Road County Forest Unit & ATV Trail and (2) Edgar–Fenwood Trail.

ATV/UTV trails are OPEN between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. through September 30. (So you gotta hurry to get in some fall riding time before the trails close to ATV/UTV traffic in October and November for hunting season.)

Learn about ATV/UTV registration, the Mid Wisconsin ATV Trail Blazers Club, & more. (Click the title for details)

6 More Pickleball Courts to Come at Marathon Park!

With over 100 members, Wausau Area Pickleball — in partnership with County Materials Corporation and American Asphalt — has generously committed to donating the labor and materials to convert 2 tennis courts at Marathon Park to 6 additional pickleball courts this fall! Learn more about the sport, the local play schedule, and the upcoming construction plans in the full article. (Click the title for details . . .)