Newport State Park Hosts Wilderness Day

Celebrate Newport State Park with the Newport Wilderness Society on Sept. 1. Photo by Len Villano.

For over two decades the Newport Wilderness Society (NWS) has set aside a special day to celebrate Newport State Park and their efforts to steward, promote, and improve the park.

“When I joined in ’89 they had a pancake breakfast the Sunday of Labor Day. But then there was liability with cooking,” laughs Newport State Mark Manager Michelle Hefty. She met with the NWS and suggested a day of hikes to showcase the park. “They were like, ‘Let’s do it,’” recalls Hefty.

On Sept. 1, the park will host their 23rd Wilderness Day. “It’s a day of hikes and programs. Anyone can come, they just need a park sticker,” says Hefty.

Bob Judd, a board member of the NWS as well as the chair of the Newport State Park Interpretive Committee, planned the day’s events with naturalist Julie Hein-Frank.

“It’s a chance to showcase the wilderness of the park as well as show what the society does,” says Judd. The NWS is like any other ‘Friends’ group to other state parks. “We are the oldest group,” he adds, “that’s why we’re not called ‘Friends of Newport.’”

The NWS “helps support with monetary donations, clean up, trails,” says Hefty. “They helped build half of the new building through donations; they donate equipment; they are the main support of the interpretive program.”

“We get volunteers, host work days, do invasive species monitoring and removal,” adds Judd.

Both find their efforts worth it and look forward to showcasing the park and their work. “I’m still here by choice,” says Hefty. “I love this park – there is 11 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, more than any Wisconsin park. We have multiple endangered and threatened species. We are backpack camping only – you have to hike at least a mile or two to get to your campsite.”

“It’s such a nice park,” adds Judd.

Newport State Park is located at 475 County Highway NP near Ellison Bay. For more information call 920.854.2500 or visit dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/newport/.

23rd Annual Newport Wilderness Day

• 8 am: Brew on the Beach with Julie Hein-Frank. Enjoy fresh brewed coffee donated by Base Camp Coffee Bar of Sister Bay and a beach stroll while reflecting the wilderness of undeveloped shorelines.

• 9 am – 12 pm: Geology Hike with Jack Travis. Meet at Lot 3.

• 10 am: Wildflower Hike with Marcia Eischen. Meet at Visitor Center.

• 1 pm: History Hike with Steve Uglinica. Experience the beauty and solitude of Europe Lake and the Lake Michigan shore. Visit the site of the summer home of Ferdinand Hotz. Meet at the parking lot at the end of Europe Bay Road.

• 1:30 pm: Bug Walk with Dick Smythe. Meet at the Visitor Center.

• 3 pm: Was That a Wolf? with Michelle Hefty. Learn how to tell the difference between wolves, coyotes and dogs using pelts, tracks, vocalizations and scat. Meet at the Visitor Center.