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Richland County board adopts resolution to rename campus trails the Marty Brewer Nature Trails
Summary
Following debate about naming criteria and a failed motion to postpone, the county board adopted a resolution renaming the former UW‑Platteville Richland wellness trails in honor of Marty Brewer.
The Richland County Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution 25‑30 on May 20 to rename the former UW‑Platteville Richland wellness trails the Marty Brewer Nature Trails.
Board discussion focused on whether the county should establish formal criteria before naming public property after individuals. One supervisor argued for longevity of service as a selection criterion and suggested other local families with long service histories; others said timeliness and the honoree’s connection to the site weighed in favor of the Brewer name. A motion to postpone the resolution until the next meeting so the board could create naming criteria was moved and seconded, but that postponement motion was defeated. The board then voted to adopt the resolution to rename the trails effective immediately.
The resolution was offered by the executive and finance committee and notes it is effective on passage and publication. Supporters cited Marty Brewer’s advocacy for preserving the wooded hilltop and trails; opponents and questioning supervisors asked whether an explicit naming policy should be adopted to guide future decisions.
Why it matters: The name change is a symbolic recognition of a recently deceased county supervisor and ties into other Simons Recreation Complex planning and grant work discussed in the meeting.
What happens next: The county will implement the resolution and staff and interested community groups may plan a naming event or signage updates pending funding and design decisions.
