Clearing up Misconceptions: Trails & Evergreen Park

June 5, 2025/
Evergreen Park Sheboygan Wisconsin

You may have heard that Sheboygan County Cycling (SCC) is proposing new or modified trails in Evergreen Park. If what you’ve seen online has raised concerns, you’re not alone. Below are some common questions and answers to help clarify the proposal.

What is the proposal for trails in Evergreen Park?

The proposal includes multiple phases. Phase 1 – signing existing trails – is complete. Phase 2 has a heavy focus on rebuilding, rerouting, or removing old trails. The trails within Evergreen Park are decades old and suffer from erosion. Rebuilding to meet current best practices will benefit the forest and the trail user experience. Best practices include:

  • Post-2007 Sustainable Trail Guidelines (Ex. USFS, American Trails, MN DNR; WI does not currently have its own trail guidelines)
  • Current federal and state requirements
  • Current trail-to-area ratios to minimize environmental impact (Planning Trails with Wildlife in Mind, USFS 7.1, etc.)

Phase 2 also includes adding features such as those in the proposed kid’s bike playground to encourage more youth to visit the park.

Figure 1 – Typical natural surface sustainable trail shared by hikers and mountain bikers. Part of the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf campus in Faribault, MN.

What types of trails are being proposed?

The trails would be natural surface and sustainable, as defined in the guidelines above. Widths would range from “singletrack” (<42″) to “track-and-a-half” (42″–60″). Most would support shared use for passive recreation, such as hiking and mountain biking.

Is it possible to safely share trails of these widths?

Yes. Nearly all urban trails that allow mountain biking are shared with hikers—both in Wisconsin and nationwide. This shared use is the norm, as modern federal and state guidelines are based on the principle of accommodating multiple passive recreational users.

Do the proposed trails cause undue erosion?

No. These trails are designed to maintain erosion rates comparable to surrounding soil. Over 30 years of research show that well-built and well-maintained trails do not cause soil degradation.

If current trails are badly eroded, won’t the proposed trails be too?

First, the existing trails at Evergreen Park were not built to any standard and predate current guidelines. There are also many informal trails in Evergreen Park, which are notorious for erosion problems. Second, despite some online claims to the contrary, rerouting or rebuilding these trails will reduce erosion, not increase it. As noted above, modern trail guidelines are specifically designed to minimize erosion, and decades of research support their effectiveness.

Will construction start if the resolution is approved?

No. This is only a concept plan. Each phase will undergo its own review process through City Council. For example, Phase 2 would require design by a professional trail designer, securing local and state permits, and separate construction approval.

What about the “features” I’ve heard so much about online?

There’s some confusion about what trail “features” are. Features are items that add a skill challenge, usually built from natural, on-site materials, like rocks and logs. Lumber structures are another option for additional challenges or when necessary for drainage.

Figure 2 – A typical wood combined boardwalk and skill feature. Carver Lake Preserve, Woodbury, MN.

Learn more on our Evergreen Trail Improvement project page.

References and Further Information:

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