Green Isle Park 2026 07

This week I wanted to get back out on a trail. So with the Achilles tendon still sore, we visited Green Isle Park in De Pere. Every time we drive on Hwy 172 in De Pere we pass this park. So its been on the list for while.

Key Features

• East River Trail Access: The park serves as a major hub and trailhead for the scenic, 8-mile paved East River Trail. This multi-use pathway is highly favored by local walkers, joggers, and cyclists looking for a continuous, comfortable route with views of the waterfront.
• The Green Isle Park Pavilion: This large, heated indoor pavilion is available for rent year-round. Boasting 3,713 square feet of space, it features a warm gas fireplace, a fully equipped kitchen (with a stove, oven, refrigerator, and freezer), modern restrooms, and enough tables and chairs to accommodate events of up to 150 to 199 guests.
• Scenic Gazebo: Included with the pavilion rental or enjoyed as a peaceful backdrop, the outdoor gazebo sits on a clean cement platform surrounded by mature shade trees, making it a highly requested spot for wedding photos and small outdoor gatherings.
• Waterfront Fishing: With its direct frontage along the East River, the park provides multiple quiet spots along the riverbanks for anglers to enjoy peaceful local fishing.
• Wildlife and Bird Watching: The combination of dense mature trees and the nearby river ecosystem makes the park a thriving habitat for local wildlife. Visitors frequently report spotting a wide variety of rare birds, waterfowl, and larger Wisconsin mammals.
• Diverse Sports Courts: For active visitors, the park features dedicated, well-maintained courts for basketball, volleyball, and tennis, making it a great destination for drop-in recreational play.
• Athletic Fields: Beyond courts, the property hosts multiple expansive sports fields, including diamonds for baseball and softball alongside a multi-purpose field primarily utilized for soccer matches.
• Modern Playgrounds: Families with young children can take advantage of clean, modern playground equipment situated near the picnic and pavilion areas, providing plenty of safe space for youth recreation.
• Winter Activities & Outdoor Ice Rink: The park remains active during the colder months, transforming a portion of its grounds into a public outdoor ice rink when winter weather permits.
• Extensive Picnic Areas: For those looking for a slower pace, the park features numerous grassy picnic areas equipped with standard park benches and picnic tables shaded by massive mature trees, as well as a large outdoor grill perfect for community or family cookouts.

Review

This was the first time out on an actual trail with the GoPro. We purchased a backpack strap mount and now I have a new camera woman. So all of the videos I post for this are taken from my wife’s shoulder.

So we arrived at the parking lot at the end of Broadview Dr. After a brief setup of the GoPro and my Cannon T7 we started our hike.

We started hiking down stream following the river north. A quick hike with bicyclists and other hikers passing us and we reached Hwy 172. Stopping briefly to take photos and pausing for shots with the GoPro.

A couple pulling their kid passed us and the kid starred at me as we walked. The child stared at us as they passed us, interested in the strange people with cameras.

The beginning of the hike was distinctly devoid of wild life. A few robins took flight as we passed. I wondered if we would see anything with the heat.

Under the highway I took some shots of the supports. A pigeon flew off before I could get a good shot. We continued on following the river.

Our path was to follow the river through the park. The East River Trail eventually crosses a bridge to the east side of the river. The Green Isle Trail continued to follow the east side of the river after the bridge.

Throughout the hike we would stop to observe the river. On one of those stops I realized that we were looking at an otter slide and the scat on the ground was more than just goose scat.

We continued on to the bridge hoping to catch a view of the otters. Walking up the bridge we observed the surrounding river and trails but did not see much. Only Robins and Sparrows were showing up. Up to this point we had yet to see a goose to go along with the scat we were seeing on and around the trail.

There were several points in the park that observation decks were set up to allow people to look at the river. As we continued to the last of the observation decks before the trail looped back through the park we heard a familiar call.

The trail turned away from the east river on a small tributary that separated the park from a local neighborhood. A blue heron flew up the tributary as we walked toward the observation deck.

We continued to the observation deck to take a look at the east river for one last time. Here is where we found the flock of geese. On the opposite side of the river a small group of geese floated next to the reeds.

I could see a few bicyclists riding down the East River Trail. I could hear the boards of a board walk shifting under their tires as the road. And just then I heard a fish jump in the river. My wife exclaimed, hoping that she had caught the video I posted above.

We started to continue the loop but I walked near the shore of the tributary hoping to catch a shot of the blue heron we saw before. I was successful in getting several photos of the bird however in reviewing the video there was not a clear shot from the GoPro.

After getting the shots and being swarmed by mosquitos hiding in the grass, we decided to continue on. Our trip had us passing the Parks Department facilities. A woman driving to some place in the park confused this part of the path as the road to her destination. She realized her mistake as she drove into the facilities.

We continued back to our car stopping only to try and catch a few more photos and videos. Our hike was enjoyable even though I had forgotten to wear a hat. Thankfully the trail was sufficiently shaded to keep me from getting a sun burn on my bald head.

I look forward to hiking other sections of this trail. We previously hike the trail starting out from Ledgeview Park. And with research I have found a few other parks that we can hike from in the future.

Thank you again for reading. I hope you like the video content that I have started to add. Feel free to let me know in the comments and on Facebook and Youtube.