Opinion - As the world changes, each new generation tends to accept their environment as…
For folks following along with the progression of plans for a new “educational” center proposed for Devil’s Lake State Park, I’d like to point you to a fresh article in the local newspaper that’s worth a read…
Feasibility of potential new Devil’s Lake educational center being studied – Baraboo News Republic
From my personal perspective, it’s good to see the Friends of Devil’s Lake State Park organization working to clarify some of the confusion that’s been out there recently. A key point is that the proposed interpretive center, its scope, design, and location are far from a “done deal”.
I’ll assume you’ve read the article before moving on here… 🙂
A Valid Concern
In general, the folks I’ve spoken with express support for a new educational center and yet wonder how you can add a huge new attraction to an already overused space? There is a lot of concern about the state of the park today. (Not to detract from the staff who are doing an amazing job with the hand they’re dealt!) Devil’s Lake State Park is obviously wrestling with issues created by overuse. Parking, traffic, maintaince, law enforcement, customer service, native sites, not to mention the natural environment and wildlife, etc., are suffering under the weight of the park’s popularity. COVID19 has only exacerbated the stresses.
These issues will have to be clearly addressed as part of the master plan which is being worked on now, and solutions made clear as part of the proposed new building. (Not to mention paying to staff and maintain it!) Then the public can start making good decisions about what they can support.
Guardians of the Land
“In Leopold’s vision of a land ethic, the relationships between people and land are intertwined: care for people cannot be separated from care for the land. A land ethic is a moral code of conduct that grows out of these interconnected caring relationships.” – The Land Ethic, The Aldo Leopold Center
As someone who has worked and advocated for years simply to get the trails (and the land around them) maintained and the wildlife respected and protected, I completely understand folks who are against this project. Minds can change, however. If the Friends organization (who are taking the lead on this project.) are seen and trusted as the primary hands-on, advocates for the protection and restoration of the park’s natural beauty, I think most of the detractors will come around. And let’s face it, if we really love the park, this should be our first concern.
For nearly 2 decades the Skillet Creek blog has focused on 3 main goals; To inspire you to visit and explore the Devil’s Lake region, to help you get the most your visit by sharing tips, events, and other helpful information. Lastly to advocate for our environment & wildlife and talk about how we can keep our natural areas amazing now and into the future! That last goal can sometimes cause controversy, but it’s the only way we can accomplish the first two. – Derrick Mayoleth, Owner.
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I agree with you ! I want to believe that so, so, so many people come to visit Devil’s Lake State Park every year because of the majesty and natural beauty. You do not have to have a PH D from Harvard to realize that the Park is under huge stress on the natural habitat and eco system–not to mention the tremendous stress that the caretakers of the Park are under with trying to maintain it under such a huge volume of traffic each year. Is there any possible way to build this educational center just outside of the Park to take some stress off everything and everybody ? Example; the road leading to the Park where the Barn Restaurant used to be or a little further south where there used to be the Spinning Wheel Motel and minature golfing, Go-Karts, ETC.
Thanks for your comments. I don’t know about the other locations. I know many people have wanted to see it where the old mini-golf place was but of course that’s privately owned. It did come up for sale some years back, but the state wasn’t buying land then. I do think there are some other possible locations, but that depends a lot on the scope. An educational center might be better placed elsewhere, but a retail/rental center might do better on the lakeshore. Especially if they want to book expensive weddings, etc.. Then there are areas of the park that were proposed but just can’t or shouldn’t be destroyed for a new building and parking area. An early master plan proposed a large welcome center at the corner of Ski-Hi Road and South Shore Road. (West side of the road) Now it’s a big field. All things being equal (given what I know today) that would be my choice because the land won’t be harmed, traffic flow would be much better, parking space is available and there is quick access from there to the north or south shore areas. Not to mention access to Burma which could eventually be a bike trail into the Sauk Prairie Rec area with a bit of thought. But I’m open to anything that makes sense.. as long as we prioritze the environment first.