Restoring the Brownstone Trail
The Trail that Connects UsGive Today!
About the Brownstone Trail
Traveling from the City of Bayfield to Port Superior, the Brownstone Trail is a popular trail among Bayfield residents and visitors. Landmark Conservancy helped establish the trail in 1996 in cooperation with private landowners who own sections of the trail. A portion of the trail has been closed due to active slumping.
Landmark Conservancy has purchased adjacent commercial property to stabilize and restore the Brownstone Trail, improve visitor experience, and protect Lake Superior. The restored trail will be located on top of the slope and will provide amazing views of the lake and Madeline Island. To address the major slumping area, we must stabilize both the lower and upper slopes. We will also be able to transform the commercial property into a welcoming community area with a trailhead.
This project is a multi-year effort that requires significant time, resources, partner collaboration, and community support.
Phase 1 was completed in 2023. The upslope property was purchased in order to achieve a stable slope angle through restoration. Landmark has established a trail design concept working with coastal restoration experts.
Phase 2 – Landmark has worked with the City and Town of Bayfield and Bayfield County and sought local approval to establish that Bayfield County shall be the long-term owner of the property that will become a public park and trailhead. Transfer of the property is already underway, as public ownership provides significantly stronger eligibility for grant funding. Brownstone Trail restoration will continue to be driven by Landmark Conservancy with public and private funding sources.
Give Today! Your support is essential to our continued progress!
View Brownstone Timeline
View Trail Detour Information
Events
Click image to learn more.
Latest News
Strong Progress on Phase I of Brownstone Trail Restoration
Over the past three years, Landmark Conservancy has been exploring solutions to bring back one of the most beloved shoreline trails in Bayfield, nestled in a community that prides itself on being an outdoor recreation destination. During this time, they have worked...
Support from the Bayfield Community
This video was funded in part through a grant from the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program.
“The Brownstone Trail has been one the most cherished trails in our Bayfield community for decades. As a centerpiece to the Bayfield Area Trails network, the Brownstone provides a unique opportunity for everyone to enjoy an easy stroll or bike ride along the lakeshore; and it serves as a non-motorized access route between the City of Bayfield and the Pikes Bay area.
Thanks to the Landmark Conservancy’s incredible work, the Trail’s future looks very bright. The purchase of the Maki property and innovative plans for site restoration will soon add an exciting new open space and public access. This will be another key step toward achieving the Bayfield Area Trails vision for a trails network connecting the Bayfield Peninsula communities.”
Restoration Timeline
Trail Redevelopment Design & Community Park Concept
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will the project cost?
Phase 1 – Over 1.1 million dollars was raised to accomplish our Phase 1 goals.
Phase 2 – Our fundraising goal for the restoration phase is approximately 2.5 million dollars and is contingent upon material costs and contractor bids. Landmark anticipates funding the majority of the restoration activities through grants, but investment needed from the local community is estimated at $500,000. We are eager to continue engaging local and regional partners as well as individuals and community groups!
Click to enlarge.
When will restoration of the slump site take place?
Restoration will take 2-3 years. Restoration design concepts have been developed, and long-term ownership of the acquired commercial property has been established. Landmark is securing the federal and state permits required to work along the lakeshore and continues to seek additional grant funding for restoration costs.
What will happen to the commercial property?
To be able to stabilize the slope and lakeshore, some of the commercial property will become part of the newly restored slope. Additionally, the Brownstone Trail will be located on the top of the slope which will provide visitors with wonderful views of Lake Superior and Madeline Island.
Community members have expressed a desire to see a more natural community space in this location such as a community park. This will provide an aesthetically pleasing gateway to Bayfield with some park infrastructure, a trailhead to the Brownstone Trail, improved wildlife habitat, and help protect the shoreline and water quality of Lake Superior. The previous owner will lease back part of the property for up to five years as they transition to another site.
Who will maintain the trail and property in the future?
While Bayfield County has agreed to assume long-term ownership, Landmark Conservancy will continue to have responsibility for slope and trail restoration and hold trail easements with private landowners. Landmark works closely with landowners along the trail and Bayfield Area Trails group volunteers for regular trail maintenance.
Follow us on Facebook @ brownstonetrail
Landmark Conservancy is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
