Waterloo Regional Trailhead - (920) 478-3025

Community park & interactive center for the city of Waterloo and Glacial Heritage Area. Part of a network of green space and trails in Jefferson County.

The Waterloo Regional Trailhead Facility is a new 2.5 acre park located in Waterloo, Wisconsin, which officially opened to the public on December 14, 2013. It is located at the southwest corner of Waterloo, on 760 McKay Way. It is across the street from the Trek Bikes Inc. manufactory parking lot. McKay Way is directly off STH 19.

The Park was designed for several uses: to serve as a comfort station and interpretive center for visitors to the Glacial Heritage Area (GHA) network of trails and parks, to provide area residents with a venue for recreation, to provide local businesses with promotional and business opportunities through tourism, and to be self-sustaining through rental revenues and energy efficient building design.

The park contains a building, covered picnic area, recreational field, an exercise loop, a 28 space paved parking lot and an entryway into the 40 acre Garman Nature Preserve. Groups of native plantings surround the facility, the parking lot, and the exercise loop. The park was designed with the comfort and safety of bicyclists in mind.

The building has a unique and eye catching design. It is made of stone, brick, and wooden beams. It was built to LEED Silver energy conservation standards. It has its own Wi-Fi station. The well-lit building is protected by cameras, motion sensors, and alarms. An Atrium divides the building into two sections: Restrooms and the Warming Room. A covered picnic pavilion is at the south end of the building. Total area is 1735 square feet.

The heated restrooms are on the west side of the building. Spacious Men's, Women's, and Family (unisex) restrooms have sinks, urinals, ADA compliant and regular flush toilets. The unisex Family bathroom also serves as a changing room for those wishing to change into winter gear.

The Atrium features wall displays, ornamental benches, drinking fountains, and an informational brochure rack. ADA compliant doors on the north and south ends of the Atrium provide access to the building. The doors are on a timed locking system, which automatically opens them at 6:00 am and closes them at 10 pm.

The 816 square ft. Warming Room is a four season meeting and event area located on the eastern side of the building. The room is accessed from the atrium but has separate key lock doors for privacy. It can be heated or cooled as needed for comfort. Original paintings and prints created by local artists featuring scenes from the Glacial Heritage Area decorate the walls. Large ornamental potted plants and clerestory windows add to the room's charm. The north end has a kitchen area with sink, counter, cupboards, and electric outlets. A pull down projection screen is also at the north end. The room is furnished with a mobile coat rack, 2 meeting sized tables, and as many chairs as needed. It will comfortably seat 50. Large, locking double doors at the south end open directly to the outdoor picnic pavilion. This room is suitable for business meetings, reunions, birthday parties, presentations, indoor fairs, etc. It is available for rent on an hourly, half-day, and full day basis. (920) 350-5234 direct or call city hall at 920-478-3205

The covered picnic pavilion at the south end of the building has a cement pad, and electric outlets. It contains four picnic tables, which each seat six, and refuse containers. The pavilion has a great view of Knowlton Field and a spectacular view of the Garman Nature Preserve.

Knowlton Field is a grassy mowed field bordered by a groomed oblong exercise loop for outdoor recreation. A kiosk and rest area at the southern end of the exercise loop grace an entrance into the Garman Nature Preserve trail network.

This facility would not exist if it were not for the dedication and hard work of its community members. Several local business in Waterloo donated funds to finance the building of the trailhead facility and its exterior, in recognition of the fact that this facility will serve as an economic engine to the city.

The Trailhead is among a series of natural areas within the Glacial Heritage Area (GHA), and one purpose of the Trailhead is to serve as a gateway for tourists who are exploring what the GHA has to offer. Established in 2009 by the DNR, the GHA is a network of parks, wildlife and natural areas, and historic and cultural sites that are connected to each other, as well connected to nearby cities and villages, by trails and waterways - like pearls on a string. The Waterloo Regional Trailhead and the rest of the sites within the GHA are prime locations for recreational tourism.

Tags: Park,Outdoor Recreation,Community Center