Accomplishments

Accomplishments were made possible with the help of generous donors, fundraising projects, and our membership and community volunteers. 

2022 

A grapple was purchased for park use

A scavenger hunt program was initiated with much success

Learn 2 Fish Fishing Clinic was a success

Butterfly Pond Plaque Project has been very successful with 31 sold

FOHC clothing was added at Dick’s Grocery Store. In addition to clothing, we sell stickers and magnets at the park office

Several eroded areas on Butterfly Pond were repaired

Kiosk outside the park office was stained and concrete repairs were completed

Landscaping projects completed included the entrance sign area and park office

6 new picnic tables were purchased with matching grant money

Buckthorn removal process focused on Butterfly Pond

50+ trees were planted on Earth Day

Funded numerous park programs

Indian Mounds trail ramp was installed

2020

• Installation work on new accessible playground completed.

• Benches were added to the playground facility to allow easy viewing for families.

• Work began on upgrading the adjacent Grissel Building to be ADA compliant.

• Regular publication of our newsletter and upgrades to our web-site and social media presence took place.

• The albino deer display was completed and installed in the park office.

• The park office was remodeled/redecorated.

• The Friends committed to a new interpretive signage project for Butterfly Pond Trail.

• Replanted flowers and greenery by the upper park pavilion.

•  At the request of the DNR,  we participated in the state-wide selection process for new DNR wardens.

2019  

• Received authorization to begin construction of a major ADA-accessible playground.  

  • Hosted a visit by the community foundation and a major private donor which led to receipt of a $100,000 grant.

  • Began infrastructure improvements in 2019 including accessible sidewalk installation and upgrading of rest room to accommodate wheelchairs. 

  • Equipment installation and project completion planned for spring 2020.

  •  Formally thanked by the Natural Resources Board for this initiative.

• Upgraded the park office entrance to install vented high efficiency windows, alleviating a sauna atmosphere when entering the building in the summer.

• Hosted 88 volunteers of all ages who gathered on a cool rainy Saturday morning in April to take part in our Park Clean-Up.

•  Attracted about 350 birding enthusiasts to the 8th Annual Purple Martinfest on June 29.  This was the first time this event was held at High Cliff State Park.

• Hosted Dick Nikolai of the Wisconsin Purple Martin Association who was the guest speaker, and featured presenter at our annual meeting on November 19.

• Provided worms and bait for the State Free Fishing Weekend.

• Facilitated firewood sales to campers.

  • Held several fund-raising brat fry events including:

  • In conjunction with Free Fun Weekend on June 1.

  • Zero to 60 Open House in downtown Sherwood, on July 28.

  • Halloween Great Pumpkin Event on October 19.

• Re-established production of a newsletter for members, now published quarterly.

• Established capability and began processing credit card payments for Friends merchandise.

• Provided state park admission stickers to qualified volunteers.

2018

• Purchased 65 trees for Arbor Day planting, and provided lunch for volunteer tree-planters 

• Completed major updates to Upper Park Pavilion, including: 

  • Remodeled storeroom into a caterer’s kitchen

  • Replaced gutters and downspouts

  • Repaired walkways and upgraded doorways to be accessible compliant 

• Upgraded lighting by park office 

• Repaired fencing and gate by Lime Kiln Ruins 

• Received Nelson Family Donation, used in part to fund Park Stewardship activities 

• Funded purple martin bird banding project 

• Supported Marina in upgrading the sanitary pump there and added new bumpers around docks 

• Provided worms and bait for State Free Fishing Weekend 

• Purchased 128 fire rings for campsites, which will allow replacing all of them in 2019 

• Facilitated firewood sales to campers 

• Held several fundraising brat fry/food events including:

  • a community brat fry on June 2 

  • Zero to 60 open-house on July 29

  • Concessions at Halloween Campground event 

• Provided state park admission stickers to qualified volunteers 

2016

• Added shelter w/accessible picnic table to Butterfly Pond Trail 

• Replaced doors on Pavilion shelter 

2015

• Epoxied floor of Pavilion shelter 

• Sponsored Butterfly Pond prairie burn 

2014

• Sponsored High Cliff State Park 50th Park Anniversary Celebration 

• Purchased DR Brush Mower 

• Installed 4 water bottle filling stations 

• Purchased and Installed Purple Martin nest camera 

2013

• Restored historic silo 

2011

• Purchased Polaris Ranger UTV 

2010

• Repaired Lime Kiln Trail stairway 

• Purchased Yellowstone Ski Trail Groomer 

2007

• Purchased 40 acres for park expansion 

• Constructed Visitor Entrance Station Kiosk 

2005

• Provided accessible cabin Needs 

Long Term / Ongoing Commitments

(2000-Present) - Wood concessions 

(2002-Present) - Butterfly Pond Trail expansion, improvements and habitat restoration 

(2009-Present) - Fund Earn-a-Park-Sticker Program for dedicated park volunteers 

(2013-Present) - Sponsor Trees for Annual Arbor Day tree planting 

(2016 - Present) - Fund part-time Stewardship Coordinator