County Grounds Park / Sanctuary Woods - Forest Tour 10/25/25 @9am

🍂 About the Tour
Come marvel at the magnificent old native trees that survived the deforestation of the 1800s. 🌲🌳
On this walk, you’ll learn how to identify and appreciate some of the park’s most impressive species, including:

• Sugar maple 🍁
• White oak & bur oak 🌳
• Basswood 🌿

Many of these giants are hundreds of years old! You’ll also notice the diversity of smaller trees, shrubs, and ground cover that thrive beneath their canopy. 🌱🌸

🌟 Your Guide
This tour is led by Jim Thielke, a UW–La Crosse graduate in plant & fungal biology and a Naturalist at the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center.

👣 Details

• Distance: ~1 mile with frequent stops
• Dress for the weather 🌦
• Paths are not suitable for mobility-impaired visitors
• 🚻 No onsite restrooms
• 🐕 Friendly dogs on leash are welcome!
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Tours are appropriate for all ages.

💚 Free Tour, Optional Donations

These tours are completely free, led by volunteers from the Friends of County Grounds Park, a non-profit working to protect and improve this special place.

If you’re inspired, consider a $5 per person donation — every bit helps with:

• Habitat restoration 🌻
• Tree planting 🌳
• Invasive species removal 🌱
• Outreach and education 📚
• Park signage 🚏

💳 Donate anytime online: PayPal (accpeting all credit cards)

💵 Or after the tour: Cash, or checks made out to “The Park People of Milwaukee” (write “County Grounds” in the memo).

🚗 Important Location Info

• Search “Sanctuary Woods Parking” in Apple/Google/Waze for directions.
• The parking circle is about 0.5 mile north & west of 87th & Watertown Plank Rd.
• Tour begins & ends at the square gravel parking lot in the park center at the park sign (see images below).
• Park map: 👉 www.countygroundsfriends.org

📧 Questions? Email:

🌟 Step into the shade of centuries-old giants and discover the natural treasures of County Grounds Park! 🌟

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