Boardwalk trail at Gibson Island in Shawano County, September 12, 2025. PC: Fox 11 Online
TOWN OF BELLE PLAINE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Renovations are complete at a recreational site in Shawano County.
Gibson Island is part of the Cloverleaf Lakes, located just northeast of Clintonville.
“We have a wonderful grand reopening of the island. We’ve been closed for approximately six weeks now on a huge restoration and stabilization project,” said Shanda Hubertus, Waterways Association of Menominee and Shawano Counties president.
WAMSCO says the initiative includes more than 6,000 native plants, reinforcing the isthmus leading to the island and paving the way along the shoreline with more than 1,000 feet of ADA-accessible trail.
“This started off with Pete Jensema requesting some assistance from the town to make this an beautiful place accessible to all,” Hubertus said.
The trail system is typically open to foot traffic only. Joy Krubsack is the Gibson Island Stewardship Committee chair.
“It opens up the world of the natural world to citizens who don’t always get it. That inclusion, to be able to come onto properties like this. This would be considered a hiking dream for someone who can’t participate in it,” said Krubsack.
For many, the moment comes as bittersweet. Hubertus says avid outdoorsman Jensema used a wheelchair and was instrumental in getting the effort completed.
“This was actually a dream of Pete Jensema, who sadly has missed this grand opening by about six weeks. He unfortunately passed unexpectedly. This is a memory trail for Pete Jensema,” she said.
The ceremony kicks off Saturday at 10 a.m. The trails at Gibson Island are open to the public during daylight hours.
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