Green County 2019 Guide

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featured events EAA Pancake Breakfast Fly-In May 19 Twilight in the Park Concerts Sunday evenings June 23 through August 11

PEARL ISLAND RECREATIONAL CORRIDOR

department at UW-Platteville on the covered bridge, piers for boating, and shoreline. The covered bridge should be completed later this year.” The covered bridge has been the symbol of Brodhead for many years because originally there was a covered bridge on the highway over the river, and today a replica covered bridge is located on the Sugar River Trail. Brodhead celebrates Covered Bridge Days in August. Another initiative under the direction of retired teacher Paul Roemer is an oak savanna restoration project. Volunteers are removing invasive shrubs and plants such as honeysuckle, garlic mustard, and some of the dead ash trees. “The oak savanna will be a combination of many native prairie plants, oak trees, and a few native shrubs,” said Roemer. Some of the plants include: Little Blue Stem, Prairie Dropseed, Bottlebrush Grass, Silky Wild Rye, Virginia Wild Rye, Side-oats, Broom Sedge, Fox Sedge, Leadplant, Orange Milkweed, Red Milkweed, Smooth Blue Aster, Purple Prairie Clover, Pale Purple Coneflower, Bee Balm, Hoary Vervain, Great Blue Vervain, Black-eyed Susan, Beardtongue, Spiderwort, and Sunflower. Roemer explained that an oak savanna like this benefits the insects, birds, and other animals that are at home on the prairie and also preserves the beauty of prairie flowers and grasses. “Prairie plants provide food and homes for butterflies, bees, dragonflies, and a host of other insects, as well as for the birds

that eat the insects, the animals that nest in the grasses, and all sorts of prairie life,” said Roemer. “The oak savanna will be an area of interest for hikers and bikers on the Pearl Island trail near the Sugar River.” Jeff Peterson, superintendent of the Brodhead Water and Light Department, a member of the Pearl Island Committee, and daily visitor to the Pearl Island Recreational Corridor said that he has noticed less trash and vandalism in the area since restoration project began. “The more we do to improve the area, the more people take

Similar to what happened in the late 1800s when residents were searching the banks of the Sugar River for pearls (actually shells to become pearl buttons), Brodhead residents and visitors have found a gem in the Pearl Island Recreational Corridor. The Pearl Island Recreational Corridor is the area between the Sugar River and along the Mill Race, which was dug to power a grist mill back in 1863. The walking or biking trail along the corridor features scenic landscapes, native plantings, benches, bird houses, and maybe visitors will spy an eagle or two as they travel past the Mill Race, Headgates Park, and eventually reach the Decatur Lake Dam. During the summer months, motor boats, pontoons, canoes, and kayaks can easily navigate the waterway and enjoy the natural beauty. The city and many other groups, civic organizations, and residents have been involved in a project to develop and beautify the Pearl Island area since 2011. “Brodhead received $350,000 in matching grants from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to make improvements to the area along the corridor,” explained Rich Vogel, member of the Pearl Island and Economic Development Committees and Director of Public Works. “The project really started in 2004 with the vision of Rick Genthe—he envisioned an environmental area with raised boardwalks, observation towers, and hiking trails. He saw potential for canoeing and kayaking on the Sugar River, and he thought that developing a Mill Race trail could promote Brodhead as a destination for outdoor enthusiasts.” Some of the work that has been done or is in process: Clearing fallen trees, brush, and debris; native wildflower plantings; trails cleared; benches dedicated; picnic shelters built; repairing the shoreline; adding information boards; adding piers; connecting the trail from Brodhead along the Mill Race to Golf Course Road and the Sugar River Trail; fishing cribs to improve fishing; a restroom at the boat landing; and building a covered bridge across the Mill Race at Putnam Park. “The covered bridge in Putnam Park is an important part of the Pearl Island Recreational Corridor project,” said Jerry Elmer, member of the Pearl Island Committee. “It will span across the Mill Race to the trail. We worked with the engineering

4th of July Parade & Fireworks July 4 Amish Quilt Auction July 27 Covered Bridge Days & Wildflower Art Festival August 9-11 Tractor Drive & Ride September 22 Autumnfest October 5 Jaycees Holiday Market November 2 Fire & Ice Festival December 6-7

care of it, and promote it,” said Peterson. “From the trail cams, we can see the increase of wildlife in the area including deer, ducks, eagles, sand hill cranes, owls, and more.” As the group of dedicated volunteers completes another part of the project, the sense of community and pride grows exponentially. They really have discovered Brodhead’s gem.

Besides the people mentioned, hundreds of volunteers, committee members, business leaders and organizations have donated time, energy, resources, and enthusiasm to the Pearl Island Recreational Corridor project including: City of Brodhead Richard Benesh - retired consultant and teacher Applied Ecological Services, Susan Lehnhardt - senior ecologist Master’s degree students from the UW-Madison Engineering students from UW-Platteville Boy Scouts Baseball and softball groups Lions

Decatur Lake and Mill Race Association Lower Sugar River Watershed Association Eagle Scouts Friends of Brodhead Public Library

WIN!

Vintage biplane trip for two with Gypsy Air Tours! Go to greencounty.org/contest to enter the contest.