DNR Hosts Eagle Tower Ribbon-Cutting

The new Eagle Tower in Peninsula State Park opened to the public May 19. Photo by Brett Kosmider. Follow him on Instagram @brettkosmider.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host the official ribbon-cutting ceremony at the base of the newly constructed Eagle Tower at Peninsula State Park at 10 am Friday, July 9.

Members of the public are invited to join in the ribbon-cutting celebration, a co-sponsored event by the Friends of Peninsula State Park and the DNR. There will be a brief program at the base of the tower at 10:00 a.m., followed by the ribbon-cutting ceremony. The tower will be temporarily closed to the public between 9:45 – 10:30 a.m. to allow for the ceremony.

Those in attendance that are not yet vaccinated are encouraged to wear face coverings. If anyone is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, they are asked not to attend the event.

The tower opened to visitors May 19 in a low-key opening with Friends of Peninsula State Park, media, and park officials. Now that further work has been completed, including informational kiosks, the park is hosting an official ribbon-cutting with additional state and park officials.

Located on top of Eagle Bluff, Eagle Tower is 60 feet high, with the top observation deck sitting 253 feet above the Bay of Green Bay. The public can now reach the top of the legendary landmark using the 100 tower stairs or the 850-foot fully accessible canopy walk.

“Eagle Tower is a celebration of community and making outdoor recreation opportunities available to anyone, regardless of your ability,” said Diane Brusoe, DNR Deputy Division Administrator for the Fish, Wildlife and Parks Division.

“The feedback we’ve received is overwhelmingly positive,” said Eric Hyde, DNR Peninsula State Park Superintendent. “Visitors are enjoying the new tower, whether it’s been a decades-long tradition to visit or a brand-new experience. The Eagle Tower is back, and we couldn’t be prouder of how it’s turned out.”

Funding for the $3.5 million Eagle Tower was made possible by partnerships with local state legislators, the DNR and the Friends of Peninsula State Park, which donated $750,000 to the project.

Access to Eagle Tower is free; however a park admission pass is required. Parking is available near the tower site, and there is access from various property hiking and biking trails.

In addition to reopening Eagle Tower, visitors can visit other new facilities and infrastructure upgrades across the park. More information on the park updates is available on the DNR website here.