Parks

Memorial Park

Memorial Park is a heavily shaded recreation area and campground of majestic pines on a bluff overlooking Chequamegon Bay. Given to the City by the DuPont Corporation, Memorial Park has served as the jewel of the municipal park system for much of the last century.

Originally a company recreation area for employees of the company's Barksdale Works, the park rapidly became the center of community life. Prior to use as a park, the site was the location of the McClellan, a sawmill settlement that predated the establishment of the City of Washburn.

Access to the beach is provided by steps down the bluff. Visitors to the park may occasionally witness the silent passage of a freighter headed for the Port of Ashland or Washburn's commercial dock. Every evening visitors will experience the twinkling lights of Ashland across the Bay.

Memorial Park offers the following facilities:

Although Memorial Park offers lakeside recreation opportunities, the park does not provide boating access to the lake. Boaters desiring more direct lake access should visit Thompson's West End Campground.

Click for more information on camping at Memorial Park

Thompson's West End Park

Named after a turn-of-the-century lumber concern that occupied a large portion of the site, Thompson's West End Park offers a variety of recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike. The park offers 27 acres of gradually sloping shoreline to the waters edge.

Once the site of the Thompson, South Shore, and Bigelow lumber companies, the campground was redeveloped in the 1970's to provide paved access roads to 50 sites. The park offers campers mostly sunny sites as an alternative to the heavily-shaded Memorial Park Campground. Campsites at West End Park are more suitable to with large vehicles, recreational vehicles, and motor homes.

Visitors to Thompson's West End Park will find the following recreational opportunities:

Seasonal launch passes for the West End Boat Launch Ramp will be sold at these area businesses:

• Holiday Station

• Leino's Gas & Goods

• Outdoor Allure Bait, Tackle, & Guide Service

• Washburn IGA

Permits are also available at City Hall.

Click for more information on camping at Thompson's West End Park

Trails

The Washburn Lakefront Parkway and Walking Trail consists of a shoreline corridor extending from Thompson's West End Park and Campground to the City's Athletic Fields. The parkway weaves among the beaches and bluffs of the lakefront. The trail consists of a walking path of limestone screenings with resting benches occasionally placed along the route.

The western portion of the trail has been made ADA accessible with the assistance of a Coastal Management Grant from the Wisconsin Department of Administration. The grant provided for widening of the path and the bridging of several ravines. Users of the eastern portion of the trail will still encounter steps to traverse the remaining ravines and descend the lakeside bluff to the marina.

Visitors to the trail will be taken on a trip into Washburn's past with numerous informational signs describing the community's former waterfront industries and activities. Access to the trail may be obtained and parking available at the the trailead along 6th Avenue West, the foot of Washington Avenue, Marina Drive and Central Avenue. In 2002, the City choose to participate in the Maritime Trails program of the Wisconsin Historical Society. Additional signage, the result of a gift from the Society, will be placed along the pathway describing the City's association with maritime industries.

Snowmobile/ATV Trail: The City of Washburn purchased the majority of the former Chicago and Northwestern Railroad right-of-way within the City when the railroad abandoned service to the area in 1983. The right-of-way under municipal ownership has been converted into an off-road snowmobile and ATV trail. This municipal trail extends from the vicinity of Memorial Park to the 10th Avenue West and provides a link between the City's hospitality industry (lodging, restaurants, and gas stations) and the Tri-Corridor Trail to the south and the 13 Corridor Trail to the west.

The trail also connects with the several snowmobile and ATV routes along municipal streets that provide residents access to the larger regional trail system. Currently, the City is working with the Bayfield County Snowmobile Alliance and the WDNR to improve access to the Tri-Corridor Trail via the bridging of Thompson Creek in Washburn. The bridge would permit continued use of the former railroad grade from 10th Avenue West to the southwestern edge of the community.

The Washburn School Forest and Environmental Education Center adjoins the Washburn City limits at the north end of 8th Avenue West. The property is heavily wooded, contains a classroom building along with hiking, snow shoeing and Nordic ski trails.

Athletic Fields

The Washburn Athletic Field Complex located at 3rd Avenue East and Memorial Park Drive, consists of three ball fields, one for regulation Little League, High School Baseball, and softball. The park, provides off-street parking lots accessible from either 3rd Avenue East and 1st Avenue East.

The park consists of a pavilion building consisting of a covered picnic area, concession stand and rest rooms that are opened when a responsible party makes arrangements for the use the facility. The Athletic Field Complex hosts two winter skating rinks and a warming house.

Improvements at the park have been funded by the efforts of the community, generous contributions from current and former community residents, the Stewardship Fund of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and in kind services of many local contractors and residents.

The park will be the site of Washburn's new skateboard park which will be paid for via municipal contributions, grants, and fundraising efforts of area skateboarders.

Reservation of the fields for league play or tournaments, pavilion, and winter ice rinks may be made by contacting the City's recreation Department at 373-6174.

Constructed in 1974, the East Side Tennis Courts are located on East Third Street adjacent to Autumn Manner, a public housing facility of the Washburn Housing Authority. The two lighted courts are heavily utilized by the community and home of the Washburn Tennis Association. WTA, a member of the United States Tennis Association, provides summer lessons at the East Side Tennis Courts. A hitting board, constructed through the generous assistance of community contributions and grants written by the Tennis Association complete the development of the courts.

Neighborhood Parks

Tennis courts are also available at Hillside Park. Located almost 300 feet above the shoreline of the lake at the intersection of Hillside Drive and 5th Avenue West, this park consists of two lighted tennis courts, basketball court, limited playground equipment and space for sandlot baseball, football, and soccer games.

Jackie's Field is a 2.5 acre neighborhood park located at the intersection 3rd Avenue East and East 3rd Street adjacent to DuPont Row. The park is named after a longtime community member and sports coach whose teams practiced at this location. The park consists of open play area, sand lot ball diamond and playground

Downtown

Wikdal Park is found in downtown Washburn at the intersection of Bayfield Street and 3rd Avenue West. The park provides a friendly respite from the bustle of activities along the City's main street. Wikdal park affords the visitor a refreshing opportunity to relax under shaded trees in the heat of the day amidst the flower gardens maintained by the Washburn Women's Civic Club.

Located along Bayfield Street between the Washburn Museum and Cultural Center and the U.S. Forest Service Washburn District Ranger Station, Legion Park provides the eastern entrance to the City's central business district. This passive open area recognizes the service and sacrifice of those citizens called to national service.

Legion Park