Walk the Ice Age Trail

The Lockman Property provides a 37-acre critical linkage of wildlife habitat and connectivity for the Ice Age Trail. The terrain is rolling Kettle Moraine landscape.

The Lockman Property contains a trailhead to over 6 miles of the Ice Age Trail. The trails wind through Camp Silver Brook, owned by the Girl Scouts, along the forested western side of Lucas Lake. It continues past an esker and across a marsh with a bridge over Silver Creek, continuing north to Ridge Run County Park.

The Lockman Property is covered in a variety of forested species; however, in spring and summer, you can find a glimpse of color when the wildflowers are in bloom. Black-eyed Susans, wild bergamot and purple coneflowers–among others–are scattered throughout the trails.

History

The history of this parcel is a saga of land preservation versus development pressure.  Cedar Lakes Conservation Foundation (CLCF) tried to purchase the land in 1996, but, at the time, the owner was not interested in selling. In 2005, a developer secured the property under contract and tried to get permits to approve a variety of subdivision plans. At that time CLCF tendered a higher offer that was accepted by the seller but was in a secondary position.

The drama for approvals continued to go back and forth between the developer, the Town of West Bend and the City of West Bend. After many municipal meetings, an agreement was reached which resulted in a “Cooperative Boundary Plan” that gave policy support for conservancy lands between the two local governments. In 2006, CLCF purchased the property from the developer with financing from West Bend Mutual Insurance Company. CLCF received partial reimbursement of the purchase funds in 2007, with a grant from the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program. Later the trail and parking area were developed for all to enjoy.

Parking

You can access the trail via a parking lot at 3470 Paradise Drive, West Bend, WI 53095, approximately one mile west of I-45.

Walking the Ice Age Trail at the Lockman Property brings you on an adventure, where you will be surrounded by nature.


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