At the September 28, 2021 Neillsville City Council meeting, Ward 2 council person Dan Clough announced that the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources awarded a $50,000 grant to the City of Neillsville and Neillsville Improvement Corporation (NIC) for the Neillsville Trailhead Complex and first section of the recreational trail project known as Rails to Trails.  With the unanimous passing of a motion made by ward 5 alderperson Julie Counsell on April 27, NIC and the City of Neillsville became co-signers of the DNR grant application.  Alderperson Dan Clough, who is also Vice President of NIC, noted that, per the DNR, competition was very tight this year due to the higher than normal number of applications.  This support from the state will go towards the first phase of the Rails to Trails economic development project.  The proposed trail will be on Northern States Power’s active powerline corridor along a former railroad bed.

The Neillsville Trailhead Complex will include a playground/park dedicated to Carl and Millie Opelt, whose family has played a major role in the development of the community.  This park will be unique for Neillsville in its water access and its playground which will feature inclusive elements for children of all abilities.  The trail can be used year ‘round for bicycling, walking, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing.

NIC serves as the fiscal agent for both the trailhead complex and the Rails-to-Trails Project.  Donations can be made by check, payable to Neillsville Improvement Corporation, 508 Hewett Street, Neillsville, WI 54456.  If making a donation specifically for the Opelt Project, checks should be made out to NIC with, “Opelt Project” written on the memo line.  You can also donate through NIC’s website: neillsvilleimprovement.jimdofree.com or through the donate button on their Facebook page.

On a beautiful September weekend, supporters of Neillsville’s Opelt Project participated in several events to raise money for a new park to be constructed in the city’s downtown trailhead complex. Local businesses sponsored holes for the September 4th golf outing, which included spectacular raffle prizes, a silent auction, and sales of Opelt legacy apparel. The next day featured a charcoal chicken fundraiser, sponsored by the Neillsville Lions Club, and a walkathon. In total, the three weekend events brought in $10,000, to be applied toward the project’s goal, along with pledges for several in-kind donations.

In July, the Opelt Project received a $5,000 grant from the Scarlett Nicholas Memorial Fund of the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation. This award was designated for the purchase of a “Vibes” xylophone auditory sensory play component for the park in honor of the Bernie and Hanna Opelt family. The park itself is a legacy project, supported by and dedicated to the extended family of Carl and Millie Opelt.

The trailhead complex where the park will reside is the work of the Neillsville Improvement Corporation’s (NIC) Rails-to-Trails Project. This economic development effort will result in a 13-mile, non-motorized recreational trail on Northern States Power’s active powerline corridor, along a former railroad bed stretching from Neillsville through the Village of Granton to Chili. This project continues to experience amazing support in the form of donations and grants. In September, NIC was awarded a $5,000 grant from the WE Energies Foundation.

To date, NIC has purchased two parcels of land for the trailhead complex and four parcels for the beginning of the trail going east. The trailhead, which is adjacent to the city’s Fountain Park and O’Neill Creek, will contain some exciting components including an ADA-compliant fishing dock, and water access for canoeing and kayaking. The playground itself will feature inclusive elements for children of all abilities including a wheelchair swing, roller slide, conga drums, and “Vibes” xylophone. The trail can be used year ‘round for bicycling, walking, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing.

NIC serves as the fiscal agent for both the trailhead complex and the Rails-to-Trails Project. Donations can be made by check, payable to Neillsville Improvement Corporation, 508 Hewett Street, Neillsville, WI 54456. If making a donation specifically for the Opelt Project, checks should be made out to NIC with, “Opelt Project” written on the memo line. You can also donate through NIC’s website: neillsvilleimprovement.jimdofree.com or through the donate button on their Facebook page.

     Neillsville Improvement Corporation (NIC) is pleased to announce they have recently received several Grants and Donations for the economic development project known as Rails to Trails. NIC is the fiscal agent for this project to build a non-motorized recreational trail on an active powerline corridor along a former railroad bed. This trail is supported by the City of Neillsville 2013-2033 Comprehensive Plan and the Clark County 2016-2021 Recreation Plan. On April 27, the Neillsville City Council voted unanimously to partner with Neillsville Improvement Corporation by co-signing a DNR grant application for $50,000 for the Neillsville Trailhead Complex and Recreational Trail.

     The project has continued to receive outstanding community support from individuals, businesses, service organizations, and foundations. In the past few months alone, the Clark County Community Foundation awarded a $1,000 grant, the Listeman Foundation awarded a $10,000 grant, and the Marshfield Area Community Foundation, Inc. awarded $2,500 to the Rails to Trails project. Among many recent generous donations, the Rosemary McBride Estate, Simplicity Credit Union, and the Neillsville Lions Club each donated $1,000 to this economic development project. Funds for this project have been used to purchase six parcels of land and an engineering concept plan for the Neillsville Trailhead Complex including the Carl & Millie Opelt Playground.

     Anyone with questions or concerns about this project is encouraged to contact NIC. This project cannot take over private land, will not take active Ag land out of production, and will cause little to no impact to adjacent landowners. Thousands of miles of trails across the state and country have shown these types of projects have very positive effects on the community with no negative effects. This is a long term project that will take years to unfold. The Elroy-Sparta trail is 50 years old and they are continuing to expand it because of its positive effects on the area.

     Donations can be made to Neillsville Improvement Corporation, 508 Hewett St, Neillsville, WI 54456. Make checks payable to Neillsville Improvement Corporation and funds will be put toward the Rails to Trails project and the Carl & Millie Opelt Playscape. Donations can also be made through our website: neillsvilleimprovement.jimdofree.com or through the donate button on our Facebook page.

     Thank you for your continuing support of your community.