PRESCOTT – At its Sept. 22 meeting, the Prescott City Council approved the Pine Glen–Pine Coulee Pedestrian Access Agreement with Landmark Conservancy, Inc., opening the door for visitors to more easily access newly acquired Pine Coulee Nature Preserve.

The agreement allows the public to park on Monroe Street and Cedar Lane, travel through Pine Glen Cemetery, and connect to 73 acres recently purchased by Landmark Conservancy.

“They would be traversing through a portion of land that we own as well before making that connection,” explained City Administrator Matt Wolf. He emphasized the city’s flexibility in the deal, noting, “At any time we can end this agreement based on notification.” The agreement is set to last three years.

Rick Remington, executive director of Landmark Conservancy, attended the meeting and thanked the council for its ongoing support. The Conservancy’s 73-acre purchase is part of the larger Coulee River Trail network, a project designed to expand outdoor recreation opportunities in the region. The long-term goal is to connect Magee Park to Pine Coulee Nature Preserve via a tunnel under Highway 35. Until then, temporary access will go through the cemetery.

Alderperson Mike Gerke asked if trail development would begin immediately or be delayed until spring. Remington said the timing may be sooner than expected.

“With the enthusiasm that’s in the community now with Coulee River Trails and the Friends of Freedom Park, I think a trail to be roughed in through that piece of city property and connecting to a trail that already exists on our property, that would probably happen this fall. Further refinement, of course, over the winter,” he explained.

He noted that Coulee River Trails hopes to groom a snowshoe trail this winter, adding, “We want to get it roughed in this fall hopefully.”

“I always like it faster than wait forever,” Gerke remarked.

According to the packet, Pine Glen Cemetery representatives expressed concern over maintaining the sanctity of the cemetery if the agreement is approved.

The council approved the pedestrian access agreement without opposition, marking another step forward in expanding the city’s trail connections.

PFAS

Wolf also reported that Prescott’s wells would exceed the proposed future maximum levels for PFAS, a concern the city is already working to address. He explained that new state regulations are expected to take effect around 2027, giving Prescott two years—until roughly 2029—to come into compliance.

“So, we are working to address that already with Well #3, which is what we talked about earlier,” Wolf said. “So, the next step will be Well #4.”

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has already approved the city’s submitted plan, allowing work to begin on a pilot study.