Fox River Trail in Allouez

The sun was setting and the Fox River glowed with the reflection of its dying light.  A woman was focussed on her tripod mounted camera, trying to capture the moment.  A young couple walked hand in hand, talking softly. A lone bicyclist whizzed past, getting in a few miles after a long workday. Out on the water, a mallard duck led her brood across the still surface, paddling silently toward shelter for the night. It was the end of another busy day on the Fox River Trail in Allouez.

Officially titled the Fox River State Recreational Trail, it traces the west side of Allouez along the Fox River. The trail corridor was originally a footpath for Native Americans. As the region became populated by the French and the English, the trail was used for trade. During the early 19th century a military road connecting Fort Howard to Madison and Crawford, Wisconsin, was established using this same stretch along the river. The first railroads from Green Bay to Milwaukee were built in the late 1800’s and used this corridor until the tracks were no longer needed in 1989. There is signage along the trail that describes some of the history of this part of Allouez.

Once the tracks were abandoned in 1989, the Brown County Parks Department began working with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to develop the trail. It opened in 2001. All of the Allouez portion is asphalt paved and the trail stretches from Green Bay into Calumet County. It is paved as far south as Lasee Road. Beyond that point you will find a well-worn limestone surface.

In the summer, the trail is open for pedestrians, bicyclists and roller-bladers during daylight hours. The Brown County Parks Department is responsible for maintenance. Workers do weed eradication and grass cutting alongside the trail on a regular basis. They use a blower to keep the trail clear of leaves and twigs. In the winter the trail is not plowed, but is open for cross country skiing and hiking. Bicyclists and roller-bladers 16 years and older are required to purchase either a seasonal or daily trail pass.

One of the features of the trail that is exclusive to Allouez is the Health Trail. Sponsored by St. Vincent Hospital, it runs parallel to the Fox River Trail between the railroad overpass and the parking lot behind the Riverwalk Medical building. It is labeled the “Outdoor Fitness Challenge Course” and features stations with a variety of types of exercise apparatus. There are signs at each station that describe how to properly use that particular piece of equipment.

About halfway through the Health Trail, you will find St. Francis Park. Located on land donated in 2001 by the Green Bay Diocese, the park is named after St. Francis Xavier. Father Claude-Jean Allouez celebrated what is thought to have been the the first Mass held in what would become the Green Bay Diocese on December 3, 1669. That is the feast day of St. Francis Xavier and when the Diocese was established in 1869, he was chosen as the patron saint. The park features a lovely gazebo and several benches on which to rest and enjoy a view of the Fox River. Picnic tables are available for those who bring along a lunch or a snack. Restrooms and bicycle racks are provided for the convenience of trail users.

A little farther south the trail passes the west side of Heritage Hill State Park. If you look closely, you can see the French fur trader’s cabin from the trail. There is a retention pond just south of the park and this is a great area for wildlife viewing. Deer are plentiful and there has been a resident egret in the pond the past couple of summers. You may also see fox, raccoons, geese, ducks, herons.

Trail advocates have worked to find more and safer ways for people to access the trail. One recent addition to the trail is the paved path from Sunset Circle through Sunset Park to the trail. Another is the paved path constructed on the north side of the Highway 172 corridor. This leads to a pedestrian crossing at 172 and Riverside Drive. The path continues west to intersect with the trail below the overpass.

The Friends of the Fox River Trail is an organization that supports the trail in a variety of ways. The group serves as a legislative liaison with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and stays current on legislation that may affect the trail. The Friends raise funds to help pay for trail improvements. They also sponsor work days when volunteers are invited to help with trail maintenance and cleanup. The Friends meet quarterly and the membership fee is $10.00 annually per household. Their website is

The Fox River Trail is just one of the features that make Allouez a great place to live, work and play. You can find more information about the trail and the Friends of the Fox River Trail by following the links at www.co.brown.wi.us.