Jefferson Park 2026 02

This week we finally had a nice day, 50 degree weather and sunny. First good hiking weather of the year. So this week I choose to go to Jefferson Park in Menasha. This riverside park has a view to the lake at the mouth of the north branch of the lower Fox River.

Key Features

• Massive Waterfront Access: The park features extensive shoreline along the Fox River and views of Lake Winnebago. Whether you’re looking for a scenic spot to sit on a bench or a place to launch a kayak, the water is the focal point of the entire experience.
• The Jefferson Park Boat Launch: This is one of the busiest and most well-maintained launches in the area. It provides easy access for boaters and anglers looking to head out onto the lake or navigate toward the Fox River.
• Jefferson Park Pool: A staple for local families during the summer, the outdoor pool features a waterslide, diving boards, and a zero-depth entry area for younger children.
• Large-Scale Events & Festivals: The park is the “living room” of Menasha. It hosts major community events, most notably the Bazaar After Dark night markets and the massive CommunityFest celebration during the Fourth of July.
• Friendship Trail Access: The park serves as a major trailhead for the Friendship State Trail. It connects cyclists and hikers to the Trestle Trail bridge, allowing you to walk or bike across the water toward Neenah.
• Renovated Playground Equipment: The park features multiple playground areas, including modern, accessible equipment that was recently updated to ensure kids of all abilities have a place to play.
• Picnic Pavilions and Shelters: With several large, rentable pavilions (like the Kitchener and the Pavilion), it is a go-to spot for graduation parties, family reunions, and company picnics.
• Lighted Softball Diamonds: Jefferson Park is a hub for local sports leagues. The lighted diamonds allow for evening games, often drawing a crowd to the bleachers throughout the summer months.
• Socializing at the “Boathouse”: While primarily a storage and functional space, the area around the historic boathouse and the nearby Yacht Club adds a touch of maritime charm and serves as a gathering point for the local boating community.
• Winter Recreation: The park doesn’t shut down when the snow falls. It’s a popular spot for ice fishing access, and the open spaces are often used for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing along the lakefront.

Review

Jefferson Park follows the contour of the Fox River. A paved trail and one way road also follows the contour from the west end of the park to the boat ramp on the east. So when we got to the park we choose to park in the angled parking off of the road.

My wife and I grabbed our equipment. Her backpack filled with supplies like bottled water and books. I pulled out my camera and monopod.

We then started our hike. Walking over to the river I took some pictures of the ducks and geese. The river was mostly free of ice at this point.

We could see people ice fishing on the lake. Ice also tucked in the shallows and bays along the river. Thousands of water foul swam around and stood on the ice.

But it did not take long to spot the two eagles perched on branches across the river. I continued to take pictures though the eagles were a little far away.

We walked up the paved area at the waters edge. The edge of the river here is built up to acomodate mooring boats launched from the boat launch or from other ports along Lake Winnebago.

We crossed a small bridge to an island with a replica cannon emplacement and some picnic tables. I took more pictures of the Goldeneye and Mallard ducks swimming in the river.

After briefly visiting the island and taking a few more pictures, we continued to follow the edge of the river to the boat launch.

A couple and then a woman and her golden retriever tested the ice at the boat launch. My wife and I laughed as the woman struggled to control her dog. It wanted to run across the thin ice and catch the ducks at the edge.

From this point we turned north with the trail. Just as the trail left the park, we crossed a road with a sign indicating that connections to the Friendship trail lay before us.

This part of the trail moved between apartment complexes before turning right. Across the railroad tracks that forced trail to the right we could see a cell tower with an eagle or osprey nest. We watched the nest hoping to see the owners, however we never saw them.

A short distance later we came to a switch back before crossing the railroad. These switch backs on either side of the train tracks were designed to slow people down. Specifically so that bicyclists could not race over the tracks dangerously.

On the other side of the tracks the trail continued following the west edge of Heckrodt Nature Preserve. As we walked north we started to hear familiar calls.

First we saw a Red Bellied Woodpecker, he pecked at the top of a telephone pole obviously trying to make a new nest for himself.

Next we heard the call of a Cardinal. He perched at the upper branches of a nearby tree.

When we reached the Friendship Trail, we had a choice. We could turn around and return to our car. But we chose the other option, continuing on to Heckrodt to lengthen our hike. And we would be glad we continued our hike.

Heckrodt was packed. Dozens of people came out to walk the raised paths. But the wildlife in Heckrodt was used to people.

A half dozen deer grazed and bedded down in between the trails. They seemed rather unbothered by the hikers.

Then my wife saw something that many of the other hikers had missed. Perched not more than 50 feet above the boardwalk was a Redtail Hawk. It just sat there as if it were posing for the pictures. And as I started to take pictures other people finally started seeing it.

We took some pictures of it until it flew a little further down the trail. Then we stopped at the bird feeders for a few pictures of the nuthatches.

We eventually continued the loop through Heckrodt. Then the return trip to Jefferson Park and our car.

Once we returned to the river we noticed something we hadn’t before. Where we saw the two eagles perched before now there was only one. But from this returning angle, we could see a nest sitting in those branches.

We marveled at the luck that those home owners had. If we lived there I could be taking pictures of the eagles on a daily basis.

Overall this warm spell has been great. I wonder how dangerous it will make ice fishing for the sturgeon spearing season. But at least my wife and I got a great hike.

Thanks again for reading. Feel free to comment below. Its always nice to know who is reading.