Hello Friends!
Warmer temperatures are waking up the flora and the fauna at Lakeshore State Park! Near the marina, resident groundhogs can be seen enjoying the spring sun. They are highly adaptable, able to live in various habitats. Lakeshore’s riprap and prairies offer a unique environment for a safe home, with plenty of vegetation for them to munch on. Though our groundhogs are curious and used to humans, those lucky enough to view them should watch from a respectful distance.
The prairies are also coming alive! Look for signs of life while walking through the park and reading our new informational signs on blooming plants. Prairie Smoke (Geum triflorum) is one of our first bloomers with their clusters of low growing, reddish pink flowers. We have signage with info about them in the demonstration prairie beds north of the pedestrian bridge.
The DNR will be installing sign stakes as more plants bloom by the month. Information can be found at “what’s in bloom” in park kiosks as well. And the DNR staff are hard at work removing invasive and aggressive species from the park’s prairies, as well as preparing areas for new, native plantings.
Keep an eye out for volunteer weed-out and planting dates coming soon!
Upcoming Events
Contact: Elaine Zautke (Park Manager)/elaine.zautke@wisconsin.gov/ 414-274-4281
May 1: May Day Hike, 6:00-7:00 PM Meet north entrance of the park, near Discovery World
May 3: History of Lakeshore State Park Hike, 2:00-3:00 PM Meet near Discovery World
May 5: Great Lakes Awareness Walk, 3:00-4:00 PM Meet near Discovery World
May 8: Wildflower Walk, 6:00-7:00 PM Meet near Discovery World
May 10: Bird Hike, 6:00-7:00 PM Meet near Discovery World
May 11: Public Fishing Clinic, 1:00-3:00 PM Meet at fishing pier, along the western path
May 12: Mother’s Day Hike, 3:00-4:00 PM Meet near Discovery World
May 15: Fossil Hike, 5:00-6:00 PM Meet near Discovery World
May 15: Beach Bonfire 6:00-8:30 PM Meet at Pebble Beach, along the park’s western path.
May 17: Mushroom Hunt, 6:00-7:00 PM Meet near Discovery World
May 19: World Bee Day Walk, 3:00-4:00 PM Meet near Discovery World
May 22: Edible Plants Walk, 6:00-7:00 PM Meet near Discovery World
May 24: Spring Scavenger Hunt, 6:00-7:00 PM Meet near Discovery World
May 29: Snail Trails, 6:00-7:00 PM Meet near Discovery World
Event details are available here: FLSP Events Page
Save the Dates
May 15th 6pm-8:30pm. Evening bonfire with smore’s
Jun 19th. 6pm-8:30pm. Evening bonfire with smore’s
Jul 7th 10am-2pm. Brunch By the Beach with food trucks
Jul 23rd. 6pm-8:30pm. Evening bonfire with smore’s
Aug21st. 6pm-8:30pm. Evening bonfire with smore’s
Sep 7th. time TBD. Wildflowers By the Water: Music, Food and Art
Sep 18th 5:30pm-7:30pm. Evening bonfire with smore’s
Our park educators offer a wide variety of programs for both kids and adults, such as fishing clinics (no license required for children 15 and under) and events that focus on nature education and exploration, all designed to be hands-on and family-friendly.