Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach introduces his 2026 budget proposal, Oct. 1, 2025. PC: Fox 11 Online
(WTAQ-WLUK) — Brown County is celebrating the completion of Phase 1 of the East River Water Trail project and looking ahead to what’s up next.
The county partnered with leaders from individual municipalities to begin the project last October. Its goal is to improve water quality and enhance outdoor recreation opportunities through habitat restoration efforts along the East River Trail.
Phase 1 included clearing non desirable brush and in-stream debris, removing dead/dying ash at risk of falling into the stream or onto the trail and providing habitat improvements for fish and wildlife.
“From Brown County’s perspective, we’re doing everything we possibly can to help clean up the water tributaries that ultimately lead to the Bay of Green Bay,” said Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach. “We have one of the largest freshwater estuaries in the world, and so figuring out how do we protect that water is critical.”
Additionally, two free kayak launches are to be installed at Wiese Park and Ledgeview Park, giving the community more access to the river.
“Currently, the furthest upstream kayak launch is in the village of Bellevue at Manderly Way. These two [new kayak launches] will allow 4.5 miles of river access further upstream that wouldn’t have been accessible before,” said Brown County Conservationist Nick Peltier.
The second phase of the East River Water Trail project is an initiative in Streckenbach’s 2026 budget proposal. He said it will span from the city of De Pere, all the way down to the border of the city of Green Bay.
“Phase 2, we’re going to get started on this winter,” said Brown County Conservationist Nick Peltier. “That will likely include similar type projects on the east side of the river, and also some tree and shrub plantings on areas on this side of the river, as well.”
More than $1 million in grant funding will be put toward the restoration of the East River and its surrounding landscape over the next 3-5 years.
“The county is going to be working on soil erosion, eradicating invasive species, the things we do really well,” Streckenbach said. “The municipalities, they’re doing what they do really well, and that is creating access to their residents and community members to take advantage of this great river system that we have with the East River.”
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