Plans are in the works to expand a trail along the west side of the Fox River. It's part of improvements at the Brown County Fairgrounds. Oct. 20, 2025. PC: Fox 11 Online
BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Plans are in the works to expand a trail along the west side of the Fox River.
It’s part of improvements at the Brown County Fairgrounds included in the 2026 Brown County budget proposal.
The plans would ultimately extend the existing trail at Ashwaubomay Park into De Pere through the fairgrounds, as the Master Plan for the Brown County Fairgrounds calls for.
“We think it’s really important for us to attract and retain individuals — whether it’s families, businesses — to want to work, live and play in Brown County,” Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach said.
Streckenbach said these improvements are part of a much larger plan with the trail ultimately connecting with the Fox River Trail — creating a big loop.
People will be able to go from downtown Green Bay along the Fox River to the Claude Allouez Bridge, cross the river and travel all the way the new trail.
“We know that the Fox River Trail on the east side is one of the busiest trails in all of the state of Wisconsin,” Streckenbach said.
The county is working with NEW Water to cut the trail through its property along the river. About $1.2 million is being set aside for this project.
Fairground improvements also include an extended camping area along the river bank to make use of more space.
“It allows us to have camping partake in while there’s a commercial event going on. So really, that’s an additional revenue source for a multitude of events throughout the summer,” Brown County Parks Director Matt Kriese said.
Kriese said camping brings in between $40,000 and $70,000 in revenue each year for the county. They hope to grow that even more with this project.
“This really brings more value to this property as a whole, for generations to come,” Kriese said.
This phase of the project is expected to start and finish in 2026.
The Brown County Board of Supervisors will host its annual budget meeting next week Wednesday. The goal is to have the budget signed into law no later than Nov. 15.
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