For the City Times

STEVENS POINT — Be among the first to walk the newest trails in the Stevens Point area when they officially open Saturday, April 20. A safer, more scenic portion of the Green Circle Trail and the new Schrader Connection trail will be dedicated at 10 a.m.

Following a brief program near the Stevens Point Brewery to kick-off the event, the “what’s new” walk begins. It totals four miles round trip on the new trails and will include snacks. Free and open to the public, it is sponsored by the Green Circle Trail Board and Active Portage County.

Nearly one mile of the Green Circle’s Paper Mill segment was rerouted closer to the Wisconsin River, providing great views of ridges, wetlands and the river. Moving the trail away from the Whiting – Sherman Avenue intersection also enhances safety. This portion of the trail was moved from the Babcock Street area because the former Whiting mill property was sold for residential development. Green Circle volunteer board members worked with Whiting village officials and Consolidated Water and Power Co. to ensure the safest, most aesthetically pleasing corridor for the Green Circle.

The Schrader Connection trail follows a former CN rail bed and was named for Stevens Point Parks Director Tom Schrader, who is retiring in May.

“This is an opportunity both to introduce the community to our new trail segments and to thank private and public partners for their support of the Green Circle Board’s efforts to make the trail greener, more aesthetic and safer,” said Jim Canales, Green Circle Board president.

Canales will join Mayor Mike Wiza in offering brief remarks and recognition at 10 a.m. The “what’s new” walk will also be an Active Portage County training for the annual Walk Wisconsin in June.

About:

The Green Circle is a 27-mile scenic hiking and biking trail that loops through the Stevens Point area and connects with over 45 miles of additional trails. It winds through forests and parks, over wetlands and along rivers, recalling the days of huge pineries, pioneer settlements, and the lore of the Wisconsin and Plover Rivers. For more, visit GreenCircleTrail.org