County to invest in popular Waubedonia Park

A committee of Ozaukee County supervisors last week voted to spend nearly $70,000 to install new playground equipment at Waubedonia County Park in Fredonia, one of many upgrades planned at the park, which has become increasingly popular with campers visiting the area.

The current playground equipment at the park does not meet new state safety and accessibility standards and “is heavily used by children and families during gatherings using the rented shelters and tennis courts,” according to a memo to the Natural Resources Committee.

Replacing the equipment was approved by the County Board in April 2025. 

The county received two bids for the project. Last week, the committee approved  hiring Lee Recreation of Cambridge, Wis.,  to do the work, spending $68,271.

The new playground will include a climbing log, a roofed platform, a spiral slide and a toddler swing set. 

Waubedonia Park has become more popular with campers.

Income from camping fees has increased from $14,450 through July in 2024 to $22,205 through July this year.

“Camping at Waubedonia Park is an extremely popular activity, as the campsites are routinely reserved and the campgrounds are at capacity through most of the camping season,” according to the memo.

Waubedonia drew 135,127 visitors in 2025.

Potential future improvements at the park include installing showers, adding a floating self-serve handicapped accessible kayak and canoe rental station and launch, and a fishing pier.

A self-service rental station allows users to download an app that provides a QR code to unlock the kayak or canoe, paddles and life vests. 

This would facilitate handicapped accessibility to the Milwaukee River, additional camping rentals and use of the park.

With the county tentatively acquiring and developing the Waubeka Mill and Button Factory site and converting it to a kayak and canoe launch, officials hope to create a “loop” for kayakers and canoeists between the two locations.

The showers project includes construction of a shower room and storage room on the existing bathroom-pavilion building and would connect to the Village of Fredonia’s water treatment plant.

The bathrooms and shower rooms would also serve users of the park’s tennis courts. 

“With available showers, the camping rates could be increased and camping stays would likely be consistently longer,” according to the memo.

There are 17 campsites at the park, six of which have water and electricity and are suitable for RV campers.

Officials have said they hope to add a group campsite and another RV site at Waubedonia.

The county’s camping offerings are set to greatly expand with the addition of a new campground at Hawthorne Hills County Park, beginning with 18 campsites, including five or six RV sites, along with bathrooms.

A second phase will include 20 or more RV sites that will be developed nearby.