County Parks Director Presents on History, Future of Park System

Cana Island County Park

The Door County Historical Society will host its Saturday afternoon yesteryear program “Door County Parks,” presented by Erik Aleson on Sept. 30 at 2 pm in the Collins Learning Center adjacent to the Heritage Village at 2041 Michigan Street in Sturgeon Bay.

What has 992 acres, 12 miles of state trail that was a railroad, 7 launching ramps, 3 swimming beaches, 16 restrooms, and numerous picnic and playground facilities? If you guessed the Door County Park System, you are right! Nineteen county parks, some established as early in the 1920s, dot the countryside. Program participants will learn park system history, and about past and future park projects. Guests will be invited to tell about their favorite county park.

Serving as the Door County Parks Director for the past five years, Aleson continues to learn about the interesting history of the park system. He is a University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point graduate, with more than 16 years of experience with county park administration. Southern Door residents Erik and his wife, Janel, are raising eight children; they enjoy spending time outdoors, hiking and camping.

This program does not have an admission fee, but an offering will be taken to support the restoration and accessibility of the Vignes School. The Heritage Village is an interpretive site of the Door County Historical Society and is open prior to the presentation, and on Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 am until 3 pm. Adult Heritage Village admission is $6.

The Door County Historical Society’s next program in the Yesteryear series is “Peninsula State Park in Postcards,” Oct. 7. For more information visit DoorCountyHistoricalSociety.org.