Pierce Park Trail

In Appleton we have a plethora of parks. I would bet that there is no place in Appleton that is more than a mile from a park. Then you have the Pierce, Lutz, and Alicia Parks. These parks are literally within blocks of each other. The Pierce Park Trail links these three parks in a 2.6 mile trail that has a elevation difference of 134 feet.

Key Features

Pierce Park

• Playground: Modern playground with a zipline, climbing structures, swings, and a rubber surface.
• Sports Facilities: Tennis courts, basketball court, baseball diamond, and a eleven-hole Frisbee golf course.
• Walking Trails: Paved walking trail.
• Events: Hosts the City Band concerts and the Pierce Park Car Show.

Alicia Park

• Picnic Area: Pavilion with public restrooms.
• Walking Trails: Walking trail along the Fox River.
• Unique Feature: Flower bed spelling out “Alice” near the parking lot.

Lutz Park

• River Access: Boardwalk leading to a small island in the Fox River.
• Walking/Biking Trails: Trails along the river.
• Playground Equipment: Playgrounds for children.
• Yacht Club Access: Connects to the Appleton Yacht Club, offering marina access to members.

Review

Several years ago I had heard of a plan to link Pierce Park Trail to the Fox Tail Trail area using the train trestle. And there is a concrete trail header near Lutz that ends abruptly. In the mean time we have been walking a loop from Alicia to Lutz to Pierce on the Pierce Trail and then back to Alicia on surface streets.

For those of you who have never been to Appleton, the city sits on the Fox River Valley. Starting at Little Lake Butte Des Morts the Fox River starts cutting into the landscape forming a small river valley. As I said before parts of Pierce Park are 134 feet above the lowest point of the trail which runs along the river.

Alicia and most of Pierce Parks sit on top of the valley walls. Where Lutz Park sits on the valley floor next to the river. Generally we start the trail in Alicia because the trail drops fast just outside this park and slowly rises back into Pierce Park.

Alicia Park is situated near Xaiver High School in an affluent neighborhood. The mowed park is all on top of the bluff but a wooded area leads down to the river on the south end of the park. The Pierce Trail starts at a small parking lot and crosses the park. The trail leaves Alicia and follows the steep decline of Cedar Street to Lutz Park.

At Lutz Park the trail cuts across the narrow park to run along the river. And it runs along the river until you get to the Appleton Yacht Club. But do not forget to enjoy the bridge to the island. Out on the island is a bird house or condo as it were. and many ducks and geese use the island for nesting.

Once you get to the yacht club the trail becomes a sidewalk along Lutz Drive. The trail then leads up the side of Pierce Avenue until you get to Prospect Avenue and turn left into the entrance of Pierce Park.

At Pierce Park the trail circles the pavilion and open field. Pierce Park is a busy park. Through the summer, events such as small concerts and even the auto show occur. During the winter a make shift hockey rink is constructed in the open field. The park also hosts a tennis court and 11 hole disc golf course.

Though the Pierce Park Trail ends at Pierce Park you do not have to retrace your steps to get back to Alicia Park. At the corner of Prospect Avenue and Mason Street is Jefferson Elementary School. While Prospect and Mason are the North and West Boundaries of the school Pierce Park makes up the South and East boundaries of the school. You could walk along Prospect to Mason Street and turn left to start walking to Alicia Park or you could walk south of Jefferson Elemetary through the park to Mason Street. Either way you can walk south on Mason Street to get back to Alicia.

Also of note on the south end of Pierce Park there is a ravine that leads from Pine Street to the Appleton Yacht Club. This could also be another route when making your own trail. Looping back through Pierce to Lutz Park through the ravine and back up Cedar Street to Alicia.

This trail is completely through neighborhoods. Other than the yacht club and the school, there are no businesses or government buildings near this trail. You could see white tail deer as you walk, and you will see ducks and geese during the spring summer and fall. Just be aware that the geese get territorial during spring and early summer as they are nesting and raising young near the river.

This trail is fun and I see it more as a stroll through the neighborhood than a hard hike down a well worn trail. It is not clearly marked as a trail like the other trails I have reviewed. And because it is not marked it is more quite than most trails. If your looking for a less used trail this may be a good option.

Please leave a comment if you plan to walk this trail or have in the past. Or just comment if you like my pictures. Thanks again for reading.