Sustaining Trail Forever-PCA Cooperation Within the Community

For over two decades, cooperation has fueled the growth of the Platteville Community Arboretum, turning founder David Canny's vision into an expanding trail system that continues to connect people and nature.  Since the David Canny Rountree Branch Trail opened in 2016, community members have consistently requested additional trail connections and loop opportunities.  Building Platteville Community Arboretum (PCA) endowments will help sustain the trail forever.

In 2023, PCA launched the Valley-to-Eastside Expansion Project (VEEP), raising more than $200,000 while partnering with the City of Platteville to secure $175,000 in Wisconsin DNR grants. Together with Inspiring Community and generous local donors, four of five parcels totaling more than 17 acres have been acquired, with the final purchase expected this summer. The project will add nearly one mile of grass trail connecting the railroad bed near NAPA to Eastside Road, forming a new loop with existing trails and providing a future Valley Road trailhead.

PCA also partnered with the City of Platteville on successful 2023 DOT and DNR grants totaling over $500,000 to pave and light a multi-phase trail from the Rountree Branch Trail to Mitchell Hollow Road. In addition, a 2024 DNR grant of $100,000, matched by local funding, will stabilize streambanks and repair trail sections near Chestnut Street, the Annex Back Bar, and east of the Mineral Street railroad bridge, with work expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

Continuing its collaborative approach, PCA secured a $93,000 Wisconsin DNR Recreational Trails Program grant in 2025. The grant funded trail sealcoating, invasive honeysuckle removal, native tree and shrub planting, bridge maintenance, and partial coordinator salaries. By coordinating the project, PCA also saved the City of Platteville and Grant County a combined $21,000 in sealcoating costs while reducing PCA's own costs by $15,000. Grant County has committed to sealcoating its trail every five years. PCA has also created a new grass trail connection near Menards and Walmart, providing an approximately two-mile loop for walkers and mountain bikers.

PCA is meeting the required 20% grant match through volunteer labor, equipment uses, and approximately $5,000 in spendable endowment funds. More than 250 donors contributed to the PCA Endowment through Inspiring Community, in addition to several named family endowments (Steve/Spider Fromader, Gene & Jan Weber, Bill & Jean Sanders, and Richard & Ellie Weber) which help support coordinator salaries, trail maintenance, and environmental improvements. Nearly 50 volunteers contribute thousands of hours annually, joined by Platteville High School students and UW-Platteville volunteers who assist with trail maintenance and habitat restoration.

PCA also gives back to the community and to date, has provided approximately 1,300 complimentary copies of Sassy's Vacation each year to six area school districts, encouraging families to enjoy the trail system and local businesses. UW-Platteville students and the Reclamation Club continue to be valuable partners in trail and environmental projects as well.

This year, PCA's goal is to fully fund its Family of Endowments at $625,000, with about $100,000 remaining to be raised. Endowment earnings will ensure long-term funding for trail maintenance, coordinator support, environmental improvements, future trail expansion, public art, bike racks, and other amenities while helping leverage future grant opportunities.

Community members can support PCA through donations to the PCA Endowment. Gifts of $5,000 and above receive special recognition, while donations of $10,000 or more are recognized on the PCA Endowment Bridge and in public announcements. Donations may be made online at www.plattevillearboretum.org or mailed to PCA, P.O. Box 302, Platteville, WI 53818, with checks payable to CFSW and designated for the "PCA Endowment."

Every donation, volunteer hour, and partnership help ensure the Platteville Community Arboretum remains a treasured community resource for generations to come. PCA welcomes everyone to enjoy the trails and thanks the community for making this vision possible. Please contact Gene Weber 608-778-6914 or Ron Weier 608-852-3988 with questions.