Friends of Vernon Marsh Fox River Paddle Day
Date:  Saturday, May 25th, 2024
Time:  Launch time is at 10:00 am. We will launch at 10 am and continue until all watercrafts are launched. Assistance will be available. If you can help paddlers launch your help would be greatly appreciated!
Route: The Fox River from Mukwonago to Big Bend. The trip will take approximately 4 hours, depending on water levels, speed, etc. Please plan accordingly. There are no portages along this route.
 

Put-in Location:  We will launch at the Kayak Launch on Holz Parkway in Mukwonago, between Hwy ES and Hwy 83. We will paddle an approximately 0.6-mile stretch of the Mukwonago River north to its confluence with the Fox River, turn south, and then follow the Fox to Big Bend. There is some parking on site and a park-and-ride is also available on Holz Parkway, just north of Hwy 83. 

Take-Out Location:  We'll be paddling the Mukwonago River up to the Fox River and then on the Fox River to Big Bend Park in Big Bend, Wisconsin. There is ample parking at Big Bend Park.

What to Bring:  Bring water, sunscreen, a camera, dry bag. Dress for the weather, wear a hat and water shoes. This event will take place in light rain. We will cancel the event if heavy rain, storms, or lightning are forecast.

Shuttling: Of course, when paddling rivers there's always the question of "How do I get back to my car?" There is limited parking available at the put-in spot, so if you'd like, feel free to arrange your own shuttle.  However, we will also be asking some participants to stage their vehicles at Big Bend Park so we can shuttle paddlers back to the put-in location to retrieve their vehicles. If you are willing to help shuttle, please let one of the contacts below know.

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May 4, 2024 Vernon Marsh Spring Cleanup !  Can You Help?

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• When:  Saturday, May 4, 2024        

• Time:  9:00 am to 12:00 noon  

• Where:  Meet at Frog Alley Observation/Parking Area          

• Details:  Orange vests and plastic bags will be provided. This event will occur rain or shine. Wear old clothes and gloves. Dress for the weather.

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We'll clean up marsh observation areas and parking areas. Clean-up assignments will be provided at the meeting place to maximize our cleaning power!  No RSVP required. Call Allen Stasiewski at 414-507-8358 with any questions. All are welcome! This is a free event!

​August  26th, 2023 Friends of Vernon Marsh Exhibitor Table at 2023 Sustainability Fair at Retzer Nature Center 9:30am  to 3:00 pm

more information

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September 16, 2023 Hike the Berm and Winery Meet-Up at Pieper Porch Winery

12:30 pm to Walk the Berm and then Meet Up afterwards at Pieper Porch Winery from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm for wine and snacks. Come for one event or join us for both! What a great way to celebrate the coming of Fall in Wisconsin together!

Berm Walk: Meet at 12:30 pm in the upper Frog Alley Rd Observation Area (end of Frog Alley Rd. off Hwy 83).  Following introductions we'll casually walk to the Mukwonago end of the Berm and then return. If you'd like you can continue your walk further along the RR trail and then return.  

Winery Meet Up:  We'll reassemble at approximately 2:00 pm until 5:00 pm at the gazebo at Pieper Porch Winery (S67W28435 River Road, Waukesha) for conversation, surprises, and fun!  Wine will be on your own, however Friends of Vernon Marsh will provide light snacks. Soda and water is also available for purchase at the winery. Stay for the entire time or just drop in for a while.

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October 28th, 2023 Fall Vernon Marsh Clean-Up

• When:  Saturday, October 28, 2023       

• Time:  9:00 am to 12:00 noon  

• Where:  Meet at Frog Alley Observation/Parking Area          

• Details:  Orange vests and plastic bags will be provided. This event will occur rain or shine. Wear old clothes and gloves. Dress for the weather, it might be chilly

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Join us for our last Marsh clean-up of the year. We will clean up marsh perimeter access points and parking areas. Clean-up assignments will be provided at the meeting place. No RSVP required. Call Allen Stasiewski at 414-507-8358 with any questions. All are welcome! This is a free event!  

It's hard to believe that some still use the Vernon Marsh as their personal garbage dump (see below), but they do!  And, if we don't clean it up, experience dictates it will get worse.  So, won't you please help Keep the Vernon Marsh Beautiful?

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November 16th, 2023  Friends of Vernon Marsh Annual Meeting & Dinner.

Time & Location:  6:00 pm at Hickory Sticks Restaurant at Morningstar Golf Club.  The dinner meeting cost is fixed at $15 and includes a delicious meal and more!  We've got lots of information to share AND there will be a few special giveaways!

All the information you need can be found Event Form and RSVP. ​

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November & December 2023  Membership Drive