News Flash

Parks News

35 Stories
Posted on: December 19, 2023

Parks Director Matthew Collins appointed Public Works Director for Village of Whitefish Bay

Portrait of Matthew Collins

Kenosha County Parks Director Matthew Collins will depart his position effective Jan. 14 as he pursues a new opportunity as Public Works Director for the Village of Whitefish Bay, County Executive Samantha Kerkman announced today.

In his new role, Collins ...

Read on...

View News Release Parks News
Posted on: November 27, 2023

UPDATED: Kerkman to host inaugural county tree-lighting event on Dec. 2

Tree lighting event graphic

UPDATE: This event has been postponed until Saturday, Dec. 2, due to inclement weather.

Under a revised schedule, the Biergarten will open at 2 p.m., with the tree-lighting to occur at 4:30.

The original news release appears below.

Kenosha County Executive S...

Read on...

Parks News
Posted on: October 7, 2023

Veterans, families enjoy special climb night at Boundless Adventures

Photo of a man and a boy traversing a high-ropes course

A way to say thank you. 

 An opportunity for camaraderie. 

 A means to build confidence. 

 These were among the themes of the evening on Oct. 6, at the Veterans Climb event at the Boundless Adventures aer...

Read on...

Parks News
Posted on: September 20, 2023

Boundless Adventures to host Veterans Climb event Oct. 6

2023 Veterans Climb graphic

Military veterans and their families will have the opportunity to climb for free Oct. 6 at the Boundless Adventures in Bristol Woods Park, Kenosha County Executive Samantha Kerkman and other event partners announced today.

The Veterans Climb is open to act...

Read on...

View News Release Parks News
Posted on: September 19, 2023

Kenosha County Parks Fall Wheel Ride is Saturday, Sept. 23

Fall Wheel Ride graphic

Kenosha County Executive Samantha Kerkman invites bicyclists of all ability levels to participate in the annual Fall Wheel Ride to Petrifying Springs Park on Saturday, Sept. 23.

This year’s organized ride will feature a new route, beginning at Ke...

Read on...

View News Release Parks News
Posted on: September 6, 2023

Old Settlers Oktoberfest returns to Old Settlers Park on Sept. 9

Crowd at Old Settlers Oktoberfest

The 13th Annual Old Settlers Oktoberfest will be held noon to 8 p.m. this Saturday, Sept. 9, at Kenosha County’s Old Settlers Park, 24100 75th St. 

The festivities will include authentic German food and beverages, live music, a classic c...

Read on...

Parks News
Posted on: August 31, 2023

Kenosha County seeks vendor to operate beer garden at Old Settlers Park

Photo of the Old Settlers Park band shelter

Kenosha County is accepting proposals from businesses interested in operating a beer garden at Old Settlers Park, Parks Director Matthew Collins announced today.

Collins said the county is seeking a qualified food and beverage vendor that would fully manag...

Read on...

View News Release Parks News
Posted on: August 24, 2023

Kenosha, McHenry County leaders pledge support for proposed trail link

Photo of County Executive Samantha Kerkman speaking alongside other officials

The governments of McHenry County, Illinois, and Kenosha County, Wisconsin, are working across the border to create a new bike and pedestrian trail to link them together.

Representatives from both counties came together in Wilmot today to formally kick off...

Read on...

View News Release Parks News
Posted on: August 15, 2023

Kenosha County Parks presents Picnic in the Park, Aug. 19 at Petrifying Springs Park

Picnic in the Park graphic

Kenosha County’s annual Picnic in the Park celebration is this Saturday, Aug. 19, at Petrifying Springs Park, County Executive Samantha Kerkman announced.

Picnic in the Park is hosted by Kenosha County Parks and County Executive Samantha Kerkman....

Read on...

View News Release Parks News
Posted on: June 12, 2023

Weekly Bristol Woodstock concert series to begin June 14

Photo of audience members at Bristol Woodstock concert

The free, weekly Bristol Woodstock concert series at Kenosha County’s Bristol Woods Park begins this Wednesday, June 14, County Executive Samantha Kerkman announced.

Concerts will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. each Wednesday through Aug. 16, weather p...

Read on...

View News Release Parks News
Posted on: June 9, 2023

Weekly yoga, movie night events at Petrifying Springs Park to begin week of June 12

People participate in Yoga in the Park at Petrifying Springs Park

A pair of popular, free weekly events at Kenosha County’s Petrifying Springs Park will begin the week of June 12, County Executive Samantha Kerkman announced.

Yoga in the Park Presented by Hot Yoga Kenosha will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. each...

Read on...

View News Release Parks News
Posted on: June 6, 2023

Betsy Ade to headline June 8 ribbon-cutting at Old Settlers Park Bandshell

Photo of the Old Settlers Park bandshell

A ribbon-cutting ceremony followed by a free concert by Betsy Ade and the Well-Known Strangers will be held this Thursday, June 8, to celebrate the opening of the new bandshell at Kenosha County’s Old Settlers Park.

County Executive Samantha Kerk...

Read on...

Parks News
Posted on: June 3, 2023

Kenosha County Parks debuts trail information resource

Photo of trailhead sign

A new website resource offers comprehensive information about Kenosha County Parks’ network of trails, County Executive Samantha Kerkman announced today — on National Trails Day.

The landing page at kenoshacounty.org/trails includes lin...

Read on...

View News Release Parks News
Posted on: June 1, 2023

Public input sought for Kemper Center/Anderson Arts Center utilization and business plan

Aerial photo of the Kemper Center grounds

The County of Kenosha has engaged Keen Independent to create a utilization and business plan for the Kemper Center/Anderson Arts Center campus. As part of this process, the Keen Independent study team will develop a plan that includes a measurable analysi...

Read on...

View News Release Parks News
Posted on: May 31, 2023

Event to celebrate opening of new trail network at Petrifying Springs Park, UW-Parkside

county-uwp FB LINK

Kenosha County Parks and other partners are inviting the public to a ribbon-cutting ceremony this Friday, June 2, for the new multiuse and purpose-built mountain bike trail network within Petrifying Springs Park and the University of Wisconsin-Parkside ca...

Read on...

View News Release Parks News
Posted on: May 25, 2023

Kenosha County Parks to offer another busy schedule of summer programs for all ages

parks logo FB LINK

Kenosha County Parks is offering another action-packed summer of free activities, County Executive Samantha Kerkman announced today.

The season will officially kick off this Friday, May 26, with the 2023 grand opening of the Biergarten at Petrifying Spring...

Read on...

View News Release Parks News
Posted on: May 25, 2023

Silver Lake Park Beach to open with new concession stand

A crowd at Silver Lake Park Beach

Kenosha County’s Silver Lake Park Beach will begin its 2023 season this coming weekend with a new concession vendor in place, County Executive Samantha Kerkman announced today.

Flip Flops Concession Stand was the business selected in a request fo...

Read on...

View News Release Parks News
Posted on: February 21, 2023

Kenosha County seeks vendor for Silver Lake Park Beach concessions operation

Graphic reading "Silver Lake Park Concession Vendor Request"

Kenosha County is accepting proposals from businesses interested in managing a concessions operation at Silver Lake Park Beach, Parks Director Matthew Collins announced today.

Collins said the county is seeking a qualified vendor with previous restaurant e...

Read on...

View News Release Parks News
Posted on: January 13, 2023

Kenosha County Parks apparel now available for purchase

Graphic with text: "Parks Apparel Store Now Open"

A new online store is available to help people display their support for Kenosha County Parks on the clothes they wear, County Executive Samantha Kerkman announced today.

The Kenosha County Parks store includes T-shirts, sweatshirts and fleece jackets in m...

Read on...

View News Release Parks News
Posted on: September 30, 2022

Petrifying Springs Park and Biergarten to host Flannel Fest, Jockey Undie Run on Oct. 8

Flannel Fest logo

Calling all local lumberjacks, and those who merely wish to be like Paul Bunyan: Flannel Fest is returning to Kenosha County’s Petrifying Springs Park on Saturday, Oct. 8.

This day of festivities sponsored by Jockey International Inc. and hosted by Kenosha...

Read on...

View News Release Parks News
Posted on: September 20, 2022

Veterans, active-duty military and families invited to climb for free at Boundless Adventures

Military and Veterans Climb logo

* UPDATE: As of Sept. 26, 2022, all available tickets have been distributed. *

Kenosha County Parks, Boundless Adventures, and the Kenosha County Division of Veterans Services are partnering to offer 150 free tickets to the aerial adventure park to qualifi...

Read on...

View News Release Parks News
Posted on: September 19, 2022

Kerkman to host Kenosha County Fall Wheel Ride this Saturday

2022 Fall Wheel Ride logo

Kenosha County Executive Samantha Kerkman invites bike riders of all ability levels to participate in the Ninth Annual Fall Wheel Ride to Petrifying Springs Park this Saturday, Sept. 24.  

“It’s a great time of the year to get out and explore our ...

Read on...

View News Release Parks News
Posted on: September 13, 2022

Oktoberfest returns to Petrifying Springs Biergarten this Friday-Sunday, Sept. 16-18

Petrifying Springs Biergarten Oktoberfest logo

Petrifying Springs Biergarten, in partnership with Kenosha County Parks, will celebrate Oktoberfest this Friday through Sunday, Sept. 16-18.

The weekend of festivities will include live music, authentic German food and beer, food trucks from area vendors, ...

Read on...

View News Release Parks News
Posted on: September 8, 2022

12th Annual Oktoberfest celebration returns to Old Settlers Park on Sept. 10

Crowd at Old Settlers Oktoberfest

The 12th Annual Old Settlers Oktoberfest will be held noon to 8 p.m. this Saturday, Sept. 10, at Old Settlers Park, 24100 75th St., in Paddock Lake.

The festivities will include authentic German food and beverages, live music and dancing, a classic car sho...

Read on...

View News Release Parks News
Posted on: August 28, 2022

Commemorative benches dedicated at Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park

County Executive Kerkman and Korean War Veterans posing on commemorative bench

Regulars at the American Heroes Café at Festival Foods in Kenosha wanted to pay tribute to their group’s founders, and they went above and beyond in their fundraising quest.

Meantime, another area veterans’ organization was l...

Read on...

Parks News
Posted on: August 25, 2022

Picnic in the Park at Petrifying Springs Park rescheduled for Saturday, Aug. 27

Picnic in the Park 2022 graphic

Kenosha County Parks has rescheduled its annual Picnic in the Park celebration for this Saturday, Aug. 27 at Petrifying Springs Park, County Executive Samantha Kerkman announced.

The event, which was to have been held Aug. 20, was postponed due to a threat...

Read on...

View News Release Parks News
Posted on: August 15, 2022

Picnic in the Park returns to Petrifying Springs Park Saturday, Aug. 20

Picnic in the Park 2022 graphic

Kenosha County Parks will host its annual Picnic in the Park celebration this Saturday, Aug. 20 at Petrifying Springs Park, County Executive Samantha Kerkman announced.

The day will be filled with family-friendly activities including live music, interactiv...

Read on...

View News Release Parks News
Posted on: July 22, 2022

Kenosha County Parks to host Symphony in the Garten on Saturday, July 30

Symphony in the Garten advertising graphic

Kenosha County Parks is excited to announce Symphony in the Garten, a unique musical collaboration, at Petrifying Springs Park. This FREE event will take place Saturday, July 30, County Executive Samantha Kerkman announced today.

Symphony in the G...

Read on...

View News Release Parks News
Posted on: June 17, 2022

Axe throwing now available at Boundless Adventures in Bristol Woods Park

An axe throwing lane at Boundless Adventures

A new axe throwing range at Boundless Adventures in Kenosha County’s Bristol Woods Park will make its official debut this weekend.

The range offers several lanes available for rentals, for use by one to five people each, featuring both authentic ...

Read on...

View News Release Parks News
Posted on: May 27, 2022

Kenosha County Parks to offer another busy schedule of summer programs for all ages

parks logo FB LINK

Kenosha County Parks is offering another action-packed summer of free community activities, County Executive Samantha Kerkman announced today.

The Warrior Poet Yoga Series kicked off the season back in May, offering free yoga classes at a different park ev...

Read on...

View News Release Parks News
Posted on: May 24, 2022

Petrifying Springs Biergarten to celebrate 2022 season opening on Friday, May 27

Petrifying Springs Biergarten entrance

The Petrifying Springs Biergarten in Kenosha County’s Petrifying Springs Park will officially reopen for the season with a ceremonial keg tapping this Friday, May 27, County Executive Samantha Kerkman announced today.

Kerkman and County Board Sup...

Read on...

View News Release Parks News
Posted on: April 28, 2022

Boundless Adventures in Bristol Woods Park now open for 2022 season

Photo of a girl climbing the ropes course at Boundless Adventures

The Boundless Adventures aerial adventure park within Kenosha County’s Bristol Woods Park is now open with spring schedule hours, County Executive Samantha Kerkman announced.

Through June 12, the park will be open for climbing from 3 to 8 p.m. ea...

Read on...

View News Release Parks News
Posted on: April 26, 2022

Free Warrior Poet Yoga Series kicks off in May

Warrior Poet Yoga logo over photo of people doing yoga

Following the success of the free Traveling Yoga Series from last year, yoga teacher Steve Willis will be presenting Warrior Poet Yoga again this year, Kenosha County Parks announced today.

The weekend series beings May 7 and runs from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. ...

Read on...

View News Release Parks News
Posted on: March 30, 2022

Kenosha County, U.S. Army Corps sign off on Pike River South Branch project partnership

Group shot of the participants in the Pike River South Branch signing ceremony

Kenosha County Executive Jim Kreuser and others gathered today to mark the signing of a landmark agreement that will enable a transformative ecological restoration project.

The agreement formalizes a partnership between the Army Corps and Kenosha County, a...

Read on...

View News Release Parks News
Posted on: March 25, 2022

Kenosha County unveils new apps showcasing parks, bicycling amenities

Image with screenshots of apps reading "Bike Kenosha County and Parks apps now available"

Two new web applications showcasing Kenosha County’s park and bike amenities are now available for the public’s use, County Executive Jim Kreuser announced today.

The Kenosha County Parks app may be accessed at kenoshacounty.org/parksap...

Read on...

View News Release Parks News