City Times Staff

The public is invited to a early morning bird and wildflower hike on the county’s newest piece of land located just eight miles northeast of Stevens Point.

The Steinhaugen land is a 270-acre managed forest and nature preserve in the Town of Sharon purchased by the county in October of 2015. The land was formerly owned by the family of the late Herman Olson.

The property also has a long history service to the community, and has long been utilized by UWSP for surveying, timber measurements, wildlife and soils identification.

The bird hike will start at 7:00 AM on May 7 and will be led by Alan Haney, a retired UWSP dean of the College of Natural Resources.

At 9:00 AM Bob Freckmann will lead the wildflower hike. Freckmann is a retired UWSP biology professor and has recorded over 140 plant species on the property.

The official grand opening often the park will take place during an 11 AM ceremony, including the unveiling of the dedication plaque honoring the Herman Olson Family.

The property is transected by the Plover River in the southwest corner, North Star Creek in the northeast corner and remains of the terminal moraine are evident through the middle of the property.

The property includes over 100 feet of elevation change over the hilly terrain.

The park is located at 3485 Bentley Road in Custer. For more information contact the Portage County Parks Department at (715) 346-1433.