Polk County is updating the master plan for one of northwest Wisconsin's state trails, and residents will get a say in how the process runs.
The county is working with the West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission to update the Stower Seven Lakes State Trail Master Plan. The 14-mile trail runs from Amery to 90th Avenue, about a mile from Dresser, passing through Deronda, Wanderoos and Nye and providing access to seven lakes.
The update will examine current conditions on the trail, identify issues and opportunities, set goals, and evaluate options for management, use and development, including amenities, destinations, barriers to use and accessibility. The commission says no preferred future trail uses have been determined at this time.
A draft Public Involvement Plan lays out how the public can take part, through web-based comments, stakeholder meetings, surveys, open houses and hearings. The draft is posted on the project website for review and comment.
A public hearing on the draft involvement plan is scheduled for Nov. 3, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. during the Polk County Public Safety and Public Works Committee meeting at the Polk County Government Center, 100 Polk County Plaza in Balsam Lake. Residents can also join the project notification list through the project website.
