Parks / Zoos

Wildwood Park & Zoo
Hwy 13 South - 1800 S. Central Avenue
715-486-2056 - www.ci.marshfield.wi.us

Wildwood Zoo is a municipal zoo which was established in 1937 and has continued to grow into one of the leading municipal zoos in the State of Wisconsin. The Wildwood Park and Zoological Society, Inc. work closely with the City Parks & Recreation Department to continue the improvements and expansion of the zoo, which is one of the featured attractions for visitors to the area.

The park and zoo cover over 60 acres of land and boast a variety of birds and mammals from North America. Key exhibits are the grizzly bear, mountain lions, lynx, sandhill cranes and timber wolves. Prairie Dogs spring out of the holes in their exhibit to peek at spectators while the great horned owl and bald eagles cautiously observe all of the activity. Strolling through the area, you will be able to observe the wild geese, ducks, swans, muskrats, rabbits, and squirrels, who make themselves at home on the zoo grounds.

The zoo also features Sensory Gardens, which includes a wide variety of flowering and non-flowering plants, designed to encourage the visitor to experience the senses of sight, sound, smell, and touch in a unique and tranquil setting.

A special feature of the zoo is the drive-by viewing option of the large animal exhibits, which include buffalo, elk, white-tail deer, turkeys, and the timber wolf exhibit. Walking and bike trails provide another option for enjoying the zoo and surrounding park area. The park includes two large ponds for fishing, an observation tower for viewing the waterfowl, plus picnic shelters, fountains & playground area disc golf course, outdoor swimming pool and woodlands.

FREE ADMISSION

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Wood County Parks

The Wood County Park and Forestry Department includes 37,550 acres of county forest land, 21,330 acres of Wood County State Wildlife Area, and several recreational parks. Snowmobile trails, nature and hiking trails have also been developed in the parks and county forest.

Dexter Park and Lake Dexter
Located 6 miles south of Pittsville at the junction of State Highway 80 and State Highway 54. Over 1,000 acres of wild or undeveloped lands. Abundant wildlife and game fish. Camping units, including 77 with electricity. Showers and toilets, dump station, wood, ice, wells, fireplaces and grills. There's also playground equipment, swimming, boat landing ramps, fishing, canoeing, picnic areas, tennis courts, and enclosed shelter, a hiking trail, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling.

Marshfield Fish Pond Area
Located east of Galvin Avenue on the northeast side of Marshfield on Trout Road. This 5-acre area with a 4-acre pond is open to the public for fishing. Wood County has cooperated with the DNR in stocking this pond with bass or other game fish. A catch-and release policy is being tried to enhance the quality of fishing.

Nepco Lake County Park
Located one mile south of Wisconsin Rapids on State Highway 13. Enter on Griffith Avenue, County Highway Z. This park was donated by Nekoosa Papers, Incorporated, as a day us park. Toilets, wells, fireplaces and grills, playground equipment, picnic areas, swimming, boat landing ramp, fishing, canoeing, water skiing, cross country skiing.

North Wood County Park
Located 5 miles north of the 13 and 80 junction at Pittsville on County Highway A. Two small lakes, 225 foot suspension bridge over the Yellow River, Pine Island. Includes camping units, showers, toilets, dump station, wood, ice, wells, fireplaces and grills, playground equipment, picnic areas, swimming, fishing, canoeing, enclosed shelter.

Powers Bluff
Located 17 miles northwest of Wisconsin Rapids or 15 miles southeast of Marshfield on County Highway E. The highest point in Wood County. Indian dance rings and burial grounds preserved. Scientific Preservation Area. Toilets, wells, fireplaces and grills, playground equipment, picnic areas, enclosed shelter, nature trail, downhill skiing, snow tubing, cross-country skiing. One of the best spring wildflower displays in the state.

Richfield (360 Acres)
Located 7 miles north of the junction of State Highways 13 and 80 at Pittsville on County Highway A. 360 acres of undeveloped lands gently rolling, mostly wooded, divided by Puff Creek. Toilets, hiking trail, cross-country skiing.

South Wood County Park
Lake Wazeecha. Located 5 1/2 miles east of Wisconsin Rapids on County Highway W. Camping units, showers, toilets, wood, ice, wells, fireplaces and grills, playground equipment, picnic areas, swimming, boat landing ramp, fishing, canoeing, water skiing, enclosed shelter, open shelter, hiking trail, snowmobiling.

For more information call the City of Marshfield Parks & Recreation at (715) 384-4642 or the Wood County Parks Department at (715) 421-8442.

Download of Wood County Parks (PDF - 1.9MB)

LINKS:
- Marshfield Parks
- Wood County Parks