Neillsville Improvement Corporation Partnering with WCWRPC for O'Neill Creek Trail-West Recreational Trail Planning Project

Tuesday, August 11th, 2026 -- 11:00 AM

The Neillsville Improvement Corporation (NIC), in partnership with the West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (WCWRPC), is officially launching the O'Neill Creek Trail-West Recreational Trail planning project.

This initiative will evaluate  opportunities to expand and connect recreational trails throughout the Neillsville area. The project will result in the development of a trail master plan. No construction efforts will occur during this planning process.

The planning effort is funded and supported through technical assistance and other resources provided by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) and the Office or Rural Prosperity (ORP) Thrive Rural Wisconsin (TRW) Program, which is intended to deliver services typically employed by larger municipalities to rural communities who participate in the program.

Neillsville Improvement Corporation is one of ten organizations selected for the second round of this new program, which is intended to catalyze economic opportunities and accelerate community development in rural Wisconsin.

Learn more on the WEDC website: wedc.org/helping-rural-communities-build-their-futures. The project will explore the feasibility of creating a connected recreational trail network that links downtown Neillsville to parks, natural areas, and other community destinations, including west to The Highground and south to Hatfield/Lake Arbutus area.

By improving access to outdoor recreation, the project aims to enhance Neillsville's appeal as a destination for residents and visitors while supporting local businesses and encouraging future economic development.

"Outdoor recreation is an important driver of community vitality and economic growth," said Judy Zickert, President of NIC. "This planning process gives us the opportunity to create a long-term vision for a trail network that reflects community priorities while strengthening connections between our recreational assets and our downtown."

WCWRPC will lead the planning process over the next 13 months, working closely with an Advisory Committee, local governments, community organizations, and residents.

The study will include:

• Review of existing local and regional plans;
• Public engagement opportunities to gather community input;
• GIS mapping and field analysis of potential trail corridors;
• Evaluation of trail alternatives and feasibility;
• Development of implementation strategies and potential funding opportunities;
• And preparation of the O'Neill Creek Trail-West Recreational Trail Plan. 

The project formally began this summer with the formation of an Advisory Committee that met on June 30th to review the project scope and timeline, develop preliminary goals and priorities, and identify recreational assets within the study area.

WCWRPC staff are now preparing for a public Open House that will allow residents and individuals interested in this planning project an opportunity to learn more about the process and identify desired trail connections, destinations, and priorities.

The Open House will be held on September 10th from 5 PM - 7 PM at the Neillsville City Hall, 106 W Division St, Neillsville, WI, 54456. Input gathered throughout the process will help guide recommendations for future trail development.

"This project is more than identifying trail routes," said Ross Pietrzak, Senior Planner from WCWRPC. "It's about creating a community-driven vision that improves recreation, enhances connectivity, and supports long-term economic development opportunities throughout the Neillsville area."

The planning process is expected to conclude in July 2027 with the completion of the O'Neill Creek Trail-West Recreational Trail Master Plan. Upon completion of the plan, NIC will be able to pursue additional funding opportunities and work towards the first phases of trail construction using the recommendations and implementation strategies that will be created through this project.

A website has been created to provide information on upcoming meetings, project  updates, and a document hub of reports and summaries for any interested parties. Additional information, meeting announcements, and project updates will be shared throughout the planning process as public engagement opportunities become available.

Anyone interested in learning more about the project can visit o-neill-creek-trail-west-recreational-trail-wcwrpc.hub.arcgis.com. For individuals who want to participate, but are unable to attend the Open House, a brief survey is also available on the project website.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.