Trail Travel Writer Series – Exploring Wisconsin’s Park Place: Janesville

Posted on March 31, 2025

By Michelle Smith, Volunteer Writer

A mural in the Ice Age Trail Community of Janesville painted by James Richter. Photo by Michelle Smith.

The Ice Age Trail Community of Janesville lies entirely within the Southeast Glacial Plains Landscape. The topography that was formed over 10,000 years ago is observed today as gently rolling moraines and drumlins. Historically, the area was originally home to various groups of Native Americans, and in 1835, the first European settlers arrived. Janesville’s foundation for a greenbelt system was set in 1920, and the city is now referred to as “Wisconsin’s Park Place.” Even today, rare and endangered species are still found in the northwest portions of the city.

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Family Adventure Hike

Join the Ice Age Trail Alliance and Rosemary Garfoot Library for a morning of adventure and family fun in Cross Plains! Come decorate walking sticks and set out on a short hike on the Ice Age Trail. Meet at the shelter next to the library and the pool.

Mammoth Fun Run & Hike – Lodi Valley Chapter

Celebrate National Trails Day – Saturday, June 7 – with a family-friendly, great-for-all-ages Mammoth Fun Run & Hike hosted by the Lodi Valley Chapter of the Ice Age Trail Alliance. This year, the 6K trail run will be a fun and timed challenge. Enjoy the beautiful Lodi Marsh Segment as you run or hike to the finish line in Lodi, an Ice Age Trail Community!

Events: 6K hike and a timed 6K trail run (distances are approximate). VIEW and DOWNLOAD COURSE MAP HERE.

Event Details:

Location: The event will START and END at Doctor’s Park (220 S. Main Street). A shuttle will take participants to the race start along the Lodi Marsh Segment of the Ice Age Trail. Participants will run or hike their way back into Trail Community, Lodi, Wis.

Event Check-In: All participants need to check in with event volunteers at Doctor’s Park prior to boarding the shuttle. Registration and Check-In begins at 8:00 a.m. The last shuttle to the trailhead will leave from the registration site at 8:40 a.m. (Please leave Fido at home. Dogs are not allowed on the shuttle bus. Thank you for understanding.)

Race start: The Fun Run & Hike will begin at 9 a.m.

Registration: Register online now. Day-of event registrations will also be accepted.

About the Event:

Expect:

A beautiful trail with lovely views.
Challenging 6K timed run.
Trail prizes.
Homemade treats.
Good times for all!

Come for the event and stay for the Lodi Sausage Company brat stand on Main Street.

Donations: Donations to the Lodi Valley Chapter are encouraged to further corridor protection, trailbuilding, and trail maintenance.

Ice Age Trail Community Partnership Thrives in Slinger

Posted on May 19, 2021

By Elena Mederas, Communications Support Specialist

Ice Age Trail Alliance, Ice Age National Scenic Trail, Slinger, Trail Community, Trail Community Celebration, Mammoth Hike Challenge, Monty, Monty the Mammoth — Monty the Mammoth and Hootie the Owl oversee the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new multi-use trail in October 2020. From left to right: Joe Fay, Slinger - Allenton Rotary; Monty the Mammoth - Ice Age Trail Alliance; Russ Brandt - Village of Slinger President Hootie the Owl Slinger School District Mascot; Wally Steger - Slinger Allenton Rotary. Photo courtesy of Village of Slinger.

In October 2020, the Ice Age Trail Community of Slinger opened a multi-use, community trail that hosts a new section of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. The multi-year effort to build the trail came about through strong partnerships and coordination between the Village, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), Ice Age Trail Alliance (IATA), and multiple landowners, businesses, and community organizations.

The new route of the Slinger Segment replaces a previous 0.7-mile road walk with a new 0.9-mile section of Ice Age Trail connecting the Slinger Segment to the Cedar Lakes Segment. The scenic trail corridor passes through Slinger’s Community Park and continues north along wetlands adjacent to Little Switzerland Ski Area. Continue reading →