The Door County parks staff will be staying busy from end to end in Door County as weather permits. The early spring has provided optimism for timing as well. Work will begin at the Door County entrance, as visitors and residents may notice a missing “Welcome to Door County” sign on Highway 57 for a limited time. Door County Parks Manager Burke Pinney says the sign is set to undergo refurbishment which will help restore its original form.  

There is no set date at this time due to weather, but the county is hoping that before Memorial Day they will be paving Chaudoir’s Dock’s lower parking lot. The lot will be closed for an estimated one or two days. The top lot will also have cracks filled, be resealed, and have lines repainted. The same process will happen at Lilly Boat Launch this spring. 

July 1st is the closing date to add four acres of land to Meridian County Park between Jacksonport and Baileys Harbor as well. There are improvements scheduled at the Ellison Bay Bluff area, specifically the road leading into the park. 

Another summer with high visitor numbers at the parks is expected. Pinney estimates record turnout last year based on how often they had to collect trash and pump out the vault toilets at the park. 

Even with extra maintenance needed, Pinney says this is great as people are getting outside and enjoying the parks. All Pinney asks is for people to familiarize themselves with county ordinances and park rules. These improvements aren’t expected to take more than a few days as the county tries not to close any park for any longer than that. Pinney says individuals will be warned far in advance of any park closures through press releases and website updates.