NEW LONDON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The recent acquisition of 11 acres at the center of Mosquito Hill, near New London, is opening up new opportunities for the popular nature center.
“It was just that it was this small island in the middle of the nature center that we weren’t able to access because it was a private property,” said Mike Hibbard, Mosquito Hill’s naturalist. “Now we’re able to access it.”
Using proceeds from a previous land sale, Outagamie County bought the property for about $364,000.
Hibbard tells FOX 11 the area is gated off for now, but it includes a 2,000-square foot house.
“We’ll have to have it assessed by an architect and by somebody to see if we can make it compliant with the American Disabilities Act.”
Possibilities for that site and the rest of Mosquito Hill were the focus of a listening session Wednesday night.
“Well I think we ought to look at what we want to do and I think we ought to know what the name is going to be,” said Ivan Gruetzmacher of New London.
Some have raised the question, “who would want to visit a place called Mosquito Hill?”
A re-branding effort is on hold, but the name Wolf Peak Hill is one suggestion locals are already talking about.
“We want to focus on the future and the future development of the property and then we’ll talk more on the name,” said Hibbard.
The goal is to have a Mosquito Hill master plan ready for Outagamie county board approval by the end of this year or early next year.
Some ideas thrown out at the listening session for the new land include skiing or sledding, connecting more trails, and creating a nature-based school for children.
