Kids Guide to the Green Circle Trail

The headquarters of the Green Circle Trail, the Schmeeckle Reserve Visitor Center, is right on the University Trail where there is parking, restrooms, maps, a gift shop, and the Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame! Head over to Lake Joanis, part of the Reserve where you can go fishing, canoeing or kayaking. (No swimming is allowed). Bring a snack or lunch and have a fun picnic while enjoying the scenic views and varied wildlife. This is a special hotspot for birds as you can see Blue Jays, Robins, woodpeckers, many kinds of sparrows, and so much more! 

The Brickyard Trail offers access to the Stevens Point Sculpture Park which is the perfect place to explore! With outdoor artwork from local, regional, and national artists it is a favorite spur connecting to the Green Circle Trail. Try out the Photo Scavenger Hunt or the Sketch Scavenger Hunt that the park offers for more fun. Also along the trail, there is access to Zenoff Park which has a picnic area, playgrounds, and restrooms to make the perfect stop. (Open seasonally). 

To access this segment, start at Bukolt Park, which offers a scenic area with a swimming beach! It is a perfect stop for a hot summer day. After exploring the park, head south down the trail to Pfiffner Pioneer Park where there are play areas for the kids to enjoy. For a bigger playground, don't miss KASH Playground, across the river near the Westside Loop at Mead Park. Bring some food as well and enjoy a nice picnic right on either side of the riverfront. Restrooms are available at both parks.  

One of the best places to check out the wildlife on the Green Circle Trail is along the River Pines segment! See some waterfowl, birds in the tall timber, or even bring out some fishing gear and see what you can catch. Birds of all kinds have been seen along this path including eagles, Wild Turkeys, Swamp Sparrows, and so much more. An evening stroll could offer you the opportunity to hear Great Horned and Barred Owl calls from across the river. 

Just a few blocks off of the trail you can head out and enjoy some tasty ice cream from some local favorites. Belt's Soft Serve and Carl D's Soft Serve are the places to stop and enjoy a refreshing treat during your day! 

A hotspot for bird watching is along the Paper Mill Trail where you are able to see Waterfowl year-round. The bridge over the Plover River flowage is known for the Ospreys nests and the songbirds will be all around the shrubs throughout the trail. During the winter near the west side, there are many birds to observe from Mallards, American Black Duck, Hooded Merganser, and American Wigeon. 

Explore the Iverson Park Trail as it winds through a portion of the largest city park in Stevens Point. The trail winds south of the park and offers great views of the water as it nears McDill Pond. The park offers restrooms, playgrounds, and picnic areas in addition to a sandy beach perfect for kids of all ages where you can splash around in the shallow waters or swim to the deeper areas. Bring a raft and float around or hang out on the beach, it is perfect for a fun family day.

More than 200 species of birds are also known to be seen around including many bald eagles. You may also see the trains as they go to and from the Stevens Point Depot throughout the day. In the winter, stop in and use the 300-foot toboggan slides (closed for 20-21 winter season), sledding hills, snowboard hill, an ice skating rink, or cross-country ski along the 2.5 miles of trails.

Along the Moses Creek Trail is access to Yulga Park which has an 18-hole disc golf course. The free course is perfect for older kids. Along the trail, there is nearly half a mile of a boardwalk to walk which is the longest section of the Green Circle Trail. Spend a beautiful morning of great birding for a couple of hours and see why the trail is one to get to know.