City Of Baraboo Seeks Grant For Acquisition Of Land

BARABOO, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announces that the City of Baraboo has applied for a 50% matching grant as part of the Urban Green Space subprogram of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program. The grant will assist with purchasing 0.28 acres of land in the City of Baraboo in Sauk County.

The City of Baraboo plans to acquire the land to expand its riverwalk system along the Baraboo River. The City also plans to develop the site with park facilities for picnicking, scenic enjoyment, and a public access point on the river. The property includes approximately 100 feet of frontage on the south bank of the Baraboo River. Recreational activities include fishing, trapping, hiking, cross-country skiing, picnicking and scenic enjoyment.

The DNR has examined the property’s locational factors and determined that the prohibition of hunting is necessary to protect public safety because of the parcel’s proximity to residential dwellings.

The Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund was created in 1989 to preserve important natural resources, protect water quality and fisheries and expand opportunities for outdoor recreation for all Wisconsinites to enjoy. On Stewardship-purchased land, nature-based outdoor activities, such as hunting, trapping, fishing, hiking or cross-country skiing, cannot be prohibited unless the DNR has determined that prohibiting one or more of those activities is justified to protect public safety.

The DNR’s initial assessment of the allowed Nature Based Outdoor Activities (pdf) may be downloaded or from the Stewardship Public Notice Website, or you may request a copy via email at Cheryl.Housley@wisconsin.gov.

The public is encouraged to submit comments regarding the proposed grant. Submit comments by Oct. 24, 2022 to:

Department of Natural Resources
c/o Cheryl Housley
3911 Fish Hatchery Rd
Fitchburg, WI 53711
Cheryl.Housley@wisconsin.gov or 608-516-9560

In accordance with s. NR 52.04 (2) (b), Wis. Adm. Code, objections about the hunting activities on this property must show the proposed prohibition to be inconsistent with s. 23.0916 (2) (b), Stats., and s. NR 52.05, Wis. Adm. Code.

Learn more about Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Grant programs on the Wisconsin DNR website. To sign up for Stewardship Grant project news releases and updates, subscribe online by selecting DNR Stewardship News under the News & Announcements heading.