Private park offered unique tourist attraction
Whispering Pines Park is marking its 90th year of operation this year.
In 1929, Christ and Emma Hyldgaard sold their milk business in Chicago, retired and headed north to build a home on Marl Lake.
During the summer of 1930, they started working on what was to become a popular, well-known local attraction.
Over four decades, Whispering Pines Park evolved from the front yard of the Hyldgaards’ home to a 30-acre park (with no admission charge) open for the public to enjoy.
Through the years, individuals, families and groups escaped life’s pressures under the giant pines.
Hundreds of thousands of visitors of all ages came from throughout the area, as well as from other Wisconsin counties, states and countries.
During the park’s hay days, things were added and changed regularly and frequently, based on suggestions and requests from friends and visitors.
Children enjoyed the playground, picnic lunches were eaten, refreshments were purchased at the “Hut.” souvenirs were purchased at two shops, rare and odd items were viewed in the museum (for a 10 cent admission fee – the only fee in the park) and “tame” fish were fed oatmeal on the pier on Marl Lake.
Numerous flower beds, fountains, bird houses, rock formations and other attractions filled the grounds.
Memories
“It’s funny how we take things for granted,” said Jan Jenswold. “When I was a kid, spending much of my summers in Waupaca and much of that time at Whispering Pines Park, I had no idea how unusual it was.”
She loved the park.
Jenswold said she did not realize how uncommon it was for private individuals to decorate their property with curiosities, gardens and meandering pathways, and then open it to the public at no cost.
“The Hyldgaards were truly one of a kind in their willingness to share this with the public, and people came from miles around just to relax as their children played, fed fish and shopped for souvenirs,” she said. “Best of all, a family could spend a day there without spending a dime if they so chose.”
Jenswod admits the root beer floats were hard to resist.
“There was so much to see, and so much of it was unique. There were little covered wagons just begging for kids to sit in them for photo ops, stuffed squirrels playing poker, balanced with the natural beauty of the lake and meticulously kept flowers. As a youngster, it felt magical,” she said.
During the Hyldgaard years, there were few serious problems with virtually no crime, vandalism or violence.
Alcoholic beverages were prohibited.
The park’s first era lasted 45 years, until Emma’s death in January 1975.
Christ passed away in August 1966.
“When the Hyldgaards passed away, another family might have taken it over,” Jenswold said. “They might have made it a for-profit venture. They might have disrupted the mix of peculiar and wonderful. They might have ruined it.”
The 30-acre park property was willed to the state with the intention and hope it would remain a public park.
The park was temporarily closed.
In June 1975, everything on the park grounds was sold during a two-day auction, including the fountains, picnic tables, antiques, chairs, playground equipment, souvenirs, vehicles, tools and birdhouses.
The buildings were removed.
New era
In 1977, Whispering Pines reopened as part of the larger Hartman Creek State Park, with a gate and admission charge.
“And so it was returned to its natural state, and is still enjoyed by the public, but as a different destination, and in a different way,” said Jenswold.
She said, “It is beautiful and peaceful, and when I walk through there now I can still hear the windchimes outside of the souvenir shops and the flapping of whirligigs lined up along a path. As the memories become more distant, it is heartwarming to know that there will be a plaque letting future visitors know how this came to be.”
Those walking through the park today may find it difficult to identify where the buildings and various attractions stood 45 years ago.
For years, the Hyldgaards advertised their park as a place “Where Nature Lovers Meet.”
Years later, nature lovers are still welcome there.
“So many people in and around Waupaca, along with tourists, have such happy memories of Whispering Pines Park,” said Tracy Behrendt, director of the Waupaca Historical Society. “Since we had the program last year on Whispering Pines Park, people have come to the Holly Center to share stories, memories and even donate objects from the park.”
She said it has a special place in their hearts, and Waupaca and the Chain O’ Lakes were lucky to have the gem for so many years.
“The story of Whispering Pines Park is ultimately a story of love for the Chain, the Waupaca area, nature and its community. We are so thankful the Hyldgaards came to Waupaca and created the park for the Waupaca community,” Behrendt said. “It has provided endless stories and memories for not only residents and tourists, but also the Waupaca Historical Society.”
More information about the history of Whispering Pines Park is available at the historical society.
Newspaper articles, photos, postcards and souvenirs are available for viewing.
A book about the history of the park is for sale, with the proceeds going to the historical society.