NAVARINO, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A unique opportunity to experience the outdoors is rolling through the woods at the Navarino State Wildlife Area.
The excursion is a trolley ride, called the “Senior Safari.”
“Groups are able to schedule a date. They’re able to come out, and we’re able to take them on a trolley ride through the wildlife area,” said Tim Ewing, Navarino Nature Center Director and Naturalist.
The Navarino State Wildlife area is 15,000 acres, and Ewing tells FOX 11 the safari is a safe way to see the sights.
“There’s a hundred miles of trails, but all those trails are for foot traffic. The trolley ride is really one of the only ways that seniors are going to be able to get out on those trails.”
This is the fourth season for the senior safari. And in that time, the ride has become quite popular. Now, Navarino leaders say the program is expanding.
An 8,040 square-foot Outdoor Education Resource Facility will feature classroom space and storage too.
Ewing says the building will also be the trolley headquarters.
“Seniors will be able to arrive and the buses can pull right inside, unload in a secure, dry environment. No weather-related issues with ice or rain or wind, or anything like that. We can get out, and we can get them out seeing what they came to see, nature, the fall colors, the wildlife.”
“They talked about it so long, and I needed an opportunity to get here, and I did. Today,” said Althea Klosterman, Bonduel.
“This is my first time in the wildlife area, and I didn’t realize that there are so many different variations in the landscape,” said Marvin Klosterman, Bonduel.
“I like the fall because I like the colors. There’s a lot of oak up here, and you get the combination of the oak against the pines. And it looks pretty,” said Rita Olson, Navarino.
The new facility will take about $320,000 to build.
A fundraising campaign is underway to help cover the cost.
