New cross-country skiing trail in Iola
By Holly Neumann
The Iola Winter Sports Club has received a grant in the amount of $2,026.
The money is from Greenway Commission, a grant program that helps outdoor enthusiasts create new trails and new opportunities for Waupaca County.
“The focus has been silent sports,” said Ryan Brown, who represents the organization. “The group is now looking at waterways, which includes paddling, kayaking and things along those lines as well.”
According to Brown, this is the organization’s first grant.
“What really sparked an interest in the Iola Winter Sports Club was a conversation that I had with Phil (Johnsrud) and what he is trying to do there,” Brown said. “This is a very cool facility and people come from throughout the area just for these trails.”
Johnsrud, president of the IWSC, said getting the grant is a big deal.
“This is a first for us and it is quite an honor,” he said.
The club used the grant to create a new trail at the facility, located northwest of Iola on County Trunk MM.
“It is a beginner’s trail that is just over a mile long,” Johnsrud said. “It also doubles as a skijoring trail, where people can ski with their dogs.”
Volunteers
Volunteers did the majority of the work.
“Lashua Excavating did the heavy excavation work, but volunteers did the rest,” Johnsrud said. “That is huge for us, as we would not be able to run this place if it weren’t for our volunteers.”
Brown said it is great to see the project go from a concept to completion.
“To see tangible results is so much fun,” he said. “Hopefully, it will help bring more and more people in from outside the community. This will help our economic development and brings outside dollars here. Who knows, maybe even encourage people to move to the area.”
The IWSC offers 4 miles of lit trails for with classic and skate skiing, snowshoe trails, a ski jumping program and more. During the off-season, trails are open to the public for walking.
More information can be found at www.iolawintersportsclub.org.
Brown encouraged those interested in learning more about the Waupaca County Greenway Commission or in creating a new trail to contact him at [email protected].
“It’s all about silent sports,” he said. “If you have an idea that you would like us to be involved with, we would love to hear about it.”