You will finally see a site in Ellison Bay commemorating Door County’s geological wonders next summer after years of waiting. The Greater Escarpment Organization of Door County (GEO-DC) announced Friday it has chosen to create an interpretive park rather than building a museum on its site along State Highway 42 in Ellison Bay. The organization purchased the property in 2017 and had originally planned to turn a vacant home into a proposed Niagara Escarpment Discovery Center. A failed building inspection and a pandemic later, GEO-DC reversed course and created a vision for the park, which will include informational signage covering the escarpment’s geology, flora, fauna, local cultures, area economy, and environment. GEO-DC Board Member Maryanne O’Dowd believes this reimagining can accomplish the goals of the original Niagara Escarpment Discovery Center more cost-effectively and time-efficiently.

O’DOWD1

The group is working on grant applications to help fund the site improvements after finishing the initial cleanup and clearing of debris earlier this month. The hope now is that the new park will be unveiled in early summer 2024.