New Thrive! Park [Nelson, WI] – Open for Public Hiking/Walking

Maps available @ Cleveland St./Christopherson Rd Entrance and ThrivePark.org

Leave no trace. Please take out what you bring in.

Opened 2016

Property Donation as Approved by Village of Nelson Board on 3/11/15

Gary "Chris" Christopherson, Donor

Article on Thrive! Park by Buffalo County News

Article on Thrive! Park by Bank of Alma

USFWS Story on Thrive! Park Prairie Restoration

Thrive! Park Information

• Thrive! Park, a public park, of the Village of Nelson and donated by Gary “Chris” Christopherson . Donation is 25+ acres of land owned by Donor located at E298 Cleveland Street, Nelson, WI.

• Public, open to all visitors.

• Bluff tops, sides, prairies. Donor hopes two primary prairies that were restored and will be sustained.

• Includes roads and paths for hiking/walking and prairies for restoration.

• Hunting and trapping not allowed a) because it is in the Village of Nelson and adjoins private property and b) to not endanger other users, and c) because it is a wildlife safety area.

• No vehicles (motorized or non-motorized) except for handicapped access and park maintenance.

• No fires.

• Respect our Park's neighbors. Please don't trespass on their land. Their land is marked on map as Private Land.

• Leave no trace. Please take out what you bring in.

As shown on map, Park consists of hiking roads (dash-dotted lines) going along bluff side and back through valley. Also, there are several hiking trails (dotted lines) that go to restored bluff and prairie areas and can be accessed off the main hiking roads. Two loop trail sets, including Eagle Trail and Big Boulder Trails, can be accessed off main hiking roads.  Thrive! Park downloadable map and description.

Thrive! Park is east of Highway 35 in Nelson (WI). Take Cleveland Street toward bluffs. As you enter woods, turn left on Christopherson Road. Just after turn, there is a parking lot on right to park. Park entrance and road/trail markings are just left of parking lot. There is also parking up the paved road below the Fish Pond.

Responding to visitors’ questions, The Thrive! Center (home to GChris Sculpture, HealthePeople, & The Thrive! Endeavor) is just outside Park’s western edge. To visit them, best to contact Chris first at GChris@GChris.com or 301-318-3760. More info at www.GChris.org, www.HealthePeople.com and www.ThriveEndeavor.org

New Book - Story of Thrive! Center and Thrive! Park.

In response to may questions about the Thrive! Center and Thrive! Park, this tells the story of how they came about and what they are. Complete with photos of both Center and Park. Available in paperback and eBook via Amazon.com  or as a free download [PDF - 8 MB]