BOULDER JUNCTION — Following a season of record attendance and significant economic impact, Boulder Junction Winter Park is preparing for its third season at The Glide while launching a $110,000 fundraising campaign to build permanent infrastructure for the growing outdoor recreation hub.

During the 2025–26 winter season, the park recorded more than 20,000 visits — nearly double the public use recorded during its inaugural winter. Visitors gathered to skate the approximately 0.8-mile ice skating ribbon, use the community ice rink and sledding hill, warm up in the warming hut, and gather around outdoor fire pits.

“Families, residents and visitors once again filled the park to skate the approximately 0.8-mile ice skating ribbon, enjoy the community ice rink and sledding hill, gather around the fire, warm up in the warming hut and simply spend time together outdoors,” said Laura Bertch of the Boulder Junction Park Board. “The growth has reinforced what the community began to see during the park’s first season: Winter Park has quickly become much more than another recreational amenity. It has become a winter gathering place and an increasingly important part of Boulder Junction’s identity as an outdoor recreation destination.”

Beyond recreation, the park served as a key economic driver for the Northwoods community. An economic benefit analysis conducted by the Boulder Junction Economic Development Committee estimated that park visitors generated approximately $1.2 million in direct local spending during an eight-week season. Those dollars supported local restaurants, retail businesses, and lodging facilities during a traditionally quiet time of year.

“More than 20,000 visits and an estimated $1.2 million in direct local spending during a relatively short winter season demonstrate that Winter Park has become more than a recreational amenity,” Bertch said. “It is contributing to Boulder Junction’s winter economy while providing residents and visitors with a unique outdoor experience. Just as importantly, its success has provided the town with valuable information about how the park is being used and what will be needed to sustain that success in the years ahead.”

Upgrading amenities

To support that growth, the town is moving forward with the Boulder Junction Winter Park Improvement Campaign. Initial park infrastructure was built using practical, temporary solutions to quickly establish operations and assess visitor usage. With two successful seasons completed, town leaders are now transitioning from temporary setups to permanent, well-designed facilities.

The $110,000 campaign focuses on four key infrastructure priorities: installing heated, winter-capable pit toilets; upgrading the park pavilion; adding 20 permanent, weather-resistant benches and picnic tables; and establishing a comprehensive signage and wayfinding system throughout the park.

“These improvements are intended to make Winter Park more comfortable, functional and welcoming while providing the permanent infrastructure needed to support its continued growth,” Bertch said.

The campaign begins with strong municipal backing. The Boulder Junction Town Board of Supervisors has committed $55,000 in Room Tax funding to cover half of the total project cost. Town officials view the match as a direct reinvestment into an attraction that drives local tourism and business activity.

The remaining $55,000 will be raised through private donations, community contributions, sponsorships, grants, and local partnerships. Charitable contributions are managed through the Boulder Junction Community Foundation. Supporters can donate online at boulderjunctioncf.org by selecting the “Winter Park Improvement Fund” under the donate tab.

The upgrades align with a broader, long-term vision developed by the town in partnership with the Wisconsin DNR to create a four-season recreation destination while preserving the natural character of the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest.

As preparations begin for the 2026–27 season, town staff, board members, and volunteers are readying The Glide, the community rink, the sledding hill, and warming areas. Volunteers remain central to park operations, having contributed nearly 1,200 hours during the 2025-26 season alone.

“The park has grown through a combination of town leadership, community organizations, donors, local businesses and an extraordinary commitment from volunteers,” Bertch said. “From maintaining the ice and clearing snow to keeping fires going, caring for facilities, assisting with events and handling the countless jobs that happen behind the scenes, volunteers have been essential to making Winter Park what it is today.”
Bertch expressed gratitude for the ongoing support and encouraged new volunteers to get involved for the upcoming winter.

“Winter Park has been a community effort from the beginning, and its success belongs to the many people and organizations who have given their time, resources and encouragement over the past two seasons,” she said. “Whether someone can give a few hours during the season, help with a special event, assist with snow and ice maintenance, lend a hand around the facilities or become part of the regular volunteer team, every contribution makes a difference.”

Community members interested in volunteering can contact Laura Bertch by email at l.bertch@townofboulderjunction.org or by phone at 715-892-1204.