Letter to the Editor: To All Eagle Tower Supporters

Since last summer I have greatly enjoyed the opportunity to represent the community and direct the fundraising campaign for Eagle Tower. At times it was overwhelming to experience the positive support that exists in the Door County community. As we transition into the off season I am stepping down as Campaign Director for the Eagle Tower Fund but look forward to the continued success the Friends of Peninsula State Park are sure to have.

In the wake of the released design concepts I feel it is important to remember what our goals have been since day one. We have been committed to preserving the history of Eagle Tower while ensuring everything that is Eagle Tower, the challenge of the climb, the views, the huffing and puffing, the first dates, the proposals, that last step, the memories, can be experienced by all. While the committee treasures most importantly the history of Eagle Tower it has also been a top priority to identify ways of expanding the experience to everyone. This includes building accessible routes and incorporating additional interpretive opportunities. The perfect solution to get this done is not easy to find. I have so appreciated the many ideas and discussions I have had with the community on this topic and I’ll be blunt – for every idea presented there are 20 alternatives. For every opinion expressed there are 20 that disagree entirely. I am grateful for the 13 months of discussions I have had on different viewpoints that surround this initiative and how they have molded my own perspective, understanding and appreciation for the opportunity we have with Eagle Tower. I can assure you the project is moving in the right direction and those who choose not to visit the new Eagle Tower will be few and far between.

I am also grateful for the community that stood behind the Tower when it was closed and pressed the DNR to make it a priority. I am grateful for the donors who helped us kick-start the campaign and believe in this no matter the end result. I am grateful for the DNR staff who have continued to move this project along in the midst of so many other needs and challenges and I am grateful to our legislators for staying behind the project and passing a budget for state support. No matter what plan the DNR moves forward with there are plenty of things to be grateful for. To get to this point many decisions had to be made and many decisions still need to be made. I hope all those who feel strongly about the future of Eagle Tower recognize that and appreciate its complexities and the people assigned the difficult task of solving them.

As I step away from an integral role in this project I continue to advocate on behalf of our DNR, who have been the campaign’s biggest supporters as they helped me navigate the complex political, environmental and economic challenges involved in this project. I look forward to the “next steps” and I hope you do too!

Rachel Stollenwerk

Fish Creek, Wis.