Tracks to trail extension

MANAWA – A possible extension of the Tomorrow River Trail to Depot Street in Manawa could be coming in 2026 with the removal of train tracks that are obsolete.
Currently the Tomorrow River Trail head in Manawa is located on Wolf Road and the extension would bring the trail further into the city, coming out near Smith’s Manawa Steak House and B & B Automotive on Depot Street.
John Francis, the Parks and Recreation director for Waupaca County, said extending the trail into the city is something he has wanted to do for a while.
Francis said the reason they have been unable to complete the project is because the train tracks and train bridge between Wolf Road and Depot Street were owned by Canadian National and he was never able to contact them despite years of trying.
Canadian National had an easement to the bridge that said as long as there are tracks on the bridge that it could not be used recreationally said Francis.

Canadian National has recently been sold to Watco, a company out of Kansas.
Francis said he contacted Watco who responded and agreed and told Francis to get the easements and paperwork ready and send it to them to get the easement adjusted to allow the bridge to be used as part of the Tomorrow River Trail.
Francis said the next step is to ensure the existing structure is sound, so it will need to be inspected and approved to be used recreationally through the state.
Then if the bridge is deemed safe, then they will gather cost estimates in order to work the cost into the budget. The bridge is set to be inspected next summer.
“If the substructure of the bridge is fine we can apply to have a new deck to be put up on it with railings,” said Francis. “Realistically if we get an inspection done this summer the idea is that we would apply for grants going into next fall.”
Francis said he wants to know the health of the structure before he begins applying for grants for the project.
The trail can also be used for snowmobiling in the winter; however, in order for it to be approved for snowmobiling the bridge must be rated for 25,000 pounds, being that it was a railroad bridge Francis said he does not foresee that to be a problem. The bridge will be a very unique addition to the trail, being that it is 25 to 30 feet off the ground.
Should everything go according to plan, Mary Craig, a community member on the Little Wolf Trail committee, said they are also hoping to extend the current Little Wolf River Trail to this new addition to the Tomorrow River Trail.
The trail by the river originally started when the Craig family wanted a trail to walk by the river, soon others started using it and they decided to develop and create the recreational trail for all to enjoy.
Craig said they received a donation to extend the trail and intend to do so as soon as they can.
The addition to the trail will include a scissors walkway up to the bridge, so there will not be the need for stairs, as well as a picnic area next to the river.