The Friends of High Cliff State Park ( 501 (c)(3) tax exempt organization), have been actively fundraising and pursuing grants to improve the Lime Kiln Trail. The 1.7-mile Lime Kiln Trail is truly High Cliff State Park’s signature trail since it allows visitors to intimately experience the beauty and wonder of the Niagara Escarpment and the immense Lake Winnebago natural shoreline.
Decades of wear and tear, a microclimate that causes wood stairs and boardwalks to deteriorate, very high visitor use, and the sloping landscape with seepage areas prone to erosion and flooding have all exacerbated degradation of the trail. Despite the DNR recognizing the need for repairs, the trail has received limited targeted funding from the state. In 2022, The Friends of High Cliff identified this trail as a priority which included advancing development of a comprehensive plan and project for remediation of Lime Kiln Trail issues. This plan addresses improvements for maintenance, accessibility, safety, outdoor recreation, natural community and geology management and protection, and education. As of October 2024, the comprehensive plan has been completed, endangered resources and species reports are submitted, and bids are being accepted for phase 1 of the project.
For more information on the Friends of High Cliff State Park , visit www.friendsofhighcliff.org.