Hidden gem made accessible

Now called the Bohn Lake State Ice Age Trail Area, the 237 acres of forested land and Bohn Lake is managed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

The landforms in this area are a series of glacial moraines that were partially covered by glacial outwash. Today the area surrounding Bohn Lake is a mixture of woodlands, wetlands, farmland, fields, small lakes, streams and some rural residences scattered about, all on sandy soil.

Bohn Lake has no buildings or structures on its rustic beach. A small house and barn sit near the site's parking lot on Ninth Drive.

A goal of the Bohn Lake State Ice Age Trail Area management plan is to "provide a remote or somewhat remote area with little development and a predominantly natural appearing environment offering opportunities for solitude and primitive, nonmotorized recreation."

That's also the vision of Tom Pintar, founder and former coordinator of the Waushara County Chapter of the Ice Age Trail Alliance. Pintar bikes, hikes, snowshoes and hunts in his spare time. He substitute teaches in his community's public school systems.

In addition to his many years of volunteer work for the alliance and commitment to helping build the Ice Age Trail (IAT) in this part of the state, Pintar has helped people with disabilities gain access to the outdoors, as demonstrated by his involvement with Blind Outdoor Leisure Development out of Milwaukee.

Jenny Addis lives in Hancock, Wisconsin. About 12 years ago, at the age of 24, an automobile accident left her a quadriplegic. She uses an electronic wheelchair for mobility. For Addis, an opportunity to access trails to scenic locations is very important to her and others who experience physical barriers. "Accessibility means independence to me," she says.

In addition to her outdoor trail interests, Addis does adaptive water skiing and other outdoor adventurous activities. She was named Miss Wheelchair Wisconsin in 2000, and she is active with the organization Fashion for All Abilities.

This past year when the three came together - Bohn Lake, Addis and Pintar - it resulted in a successful fundraising drive for a quarter-mile accessible trail on the south side of the lake. No public funds were provided.

"We had a vision three or four years ago," Pintar said, "and the best thing was meeting Jenny."

The Bohn Lake Accessible Trail, completed in July, now leads to an overlook 40 feet above the lake providing a magnificent view. The new 5-foot-wide path constructed with 5-inch-thick crushed limestone allows people using wheelchairs or scooters to enjoy the beauty of the lake.

At the end of the trail is a uniquely crafted 10-foot wood bench made by current Waushara County Chapter IAT Alliance coordinator Randy Lennartz, He was also involved in the fundraising and, with the DNR, the planning, designing and coordinating of the trail's construction.

Fundraising efforts brought in $20,000, including $10,000 in donations from contributors near and far. Local Rotary and Lions Clubs made significant donations, as did the Byron Riesch Paralysis Foundation of Waukesha and Meade Electric of Illinois.

The other $10,000 was contributed as in-kind labor. The Wisconsin Operating Engineers Local 139 out of Coloma, Bacon Construction and Kelly Excavating of Waushara County provided much of the labor and materials.

"It has really been a community effort," Addis said. "But this isn't just about Waushara County."

The DNR's master plan for the area had long included an accessible trail. Hartman Creek State Park's property manager and overseer of the Bohn Lake property laid the foundation for the project. The National Park Service put $3,000 into its Challenge Cost Share Program, and the Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation, now called the Ice Age Trail Alliance, provided over 1,000 hours of volunteer and staff time to make the trail a reality.

"The Ice Age Trail Alliance is positioning this project not only as a local project but as a template for future accessible trail spurs along other sections of the Ice Age Trail," said Mike Wollmer, executive director of the alliance.

Donors will be invited and honored at a ribbon-cutting ceremony October 10. The public will be invited to hike the trail and enjoy the autumn colors from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

To get there, take County Road C south of Hancock and head east. The parking lot to the accessible trail is a quarter-mile north of County C on Ninth Drive on left side of the road.

Addis describes Bohn Lake as "a hidden gem that no one knows about." Before too many people discover it, she plans to seek inspiration there for a book about her life. The beautiful trail, which she was instrumental in getting developed, deserves a chapter.