County authorizes Knowles‑Nelson grant application to build natural play area at Petrick Park

Trempealeau County authorized staff on May 19 to apply for a Knowles‑Nelson Stewardship Program grant to construct a natural play area at Joe Petrick Jr. Memorial County Park.

The Parks and Tourism and Economic Development Committee resolution authorizes park staff to submit the grant application and authorizes the county administrator to execute grant documents if the award is made. Patricia (last name not provided), presenting for parks staff, told the board the grant request asks the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for $402,000 toward an $804,000 project; the county has identified $277,000 from a park reserve fund and CapEx and plans local fundraising to cover the remainder.

Why it matters: the project is included in the county park master plan and the county’s 2022–2026 outdoor recreation plan; supporters say the natural play area will increase day use and overnight camping and create a unique recreational asset in the region.

Funding and implementation: Patricia said the county will use park reserves and a $50,000 CapEx allocation as part of the match and will pursue additional fundraising and in‑kind resources from highway and facilities staff for site work. The board approved the application authorization by roll call; no award decision was made at the meeting.

The county’s parks lead invited community support for fundraising and noted earlier tree plantings on the donated parcel as early site work. If awarded, the county board chair will be authorized to sign required DNR standard grant documents.