PHOTO: Courtesy of WLUK
BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A peaceful place on the border of Green Bay and Howard was named in a recent survey of the top “micro-escapes” in the U.S.
A Mission for Michael, a mental health treatment center, says it surveyed 3,006 Americans to find the top places for quick getaways. The survey was looking for urban parks, gardens, riverwalks and public green spaces where people can feel calm and grounded and be able to “switch off.”
Pamperin Park came in third in Wisconsin and 116th in the country. According to list editors:
Pamperin Park sits northwest of Green Bay, offering a wooded escape that feels deeper than its city-adjacent setting suggests. Duck Creek winds quietly through the park, and tree-lined trails create a soft, natural corridor where footsteps replace traffic noise. Locals come here for unhurried walks, seasonal color, or simply to sit near the water and let the surroundings settle their pace. It’s less about spectacle and more about atmosphere — a dependable, nature-forward retreat woven into the edge of the city.
Two other locations in Wisconsin were listed.
Coming in at No. 63 in the country was Veterans Park in Milwaukee.
Veterans Park sits along Lake Michigan, and the open water views give the city a sense of space that makes everything feel less rushed. Wide paths and open lawns encourage steady, unhurried movement, whether someone is out for a walk or simply sitting with a view. Locals use the park to clear their heads, watch the light change over the lake, or take a short mental break that feels restorative without leaving town.
James Madison Park near the state Capitol in Madison ranked 92nd on the list.
Set between Lake Mendota and the city’s neighborhoods, James Madison Park offers a calm that feels woven into daily life. Open green space and simple walking routes make it easy to slow down without planning a visit. Residents come here to stretch out a walk, sit near the water, or let the pace of the day ease naturally. It works as an unwind space because it feels familiar and accessible — a place people return to often without thinking twice.
“People don’t always need a weeklong vacation to reset — sometimes they just need 20 minutes somewhere green,” Anand Meta LMFT, executive director of A Mission for Michael, said in a news release. “What stood out in this survey is how often the most restorative places aren’t hidden or remote. They’re right in the middle of city life — parks people walk through on their lunch break or pass on their way home. These spaces matter because they are accessible. They’re part of a daily rhythm, and that consistency plays a powerful role in mental wellbeing.”
The top three micro-escapes in the U.S. were Kanah Beach Park in Kahului, Hawaii; Central Park in Pasadena, California; and Kapiolani Regional Park in Honolulu, Hawaii.
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