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Lapham Peak update: DNR committed to preserving trails

Posted by Tom Held of the Journal Sentinel on March 22, 2011

Lapham Peak

Responding to a report posted yesterday, a reader suggested the state transfer at least some of the land from the Ethan Allen School for Boys to the Department of Natural Resources for an expansion of the Lapham Peak recreation area.

In the current configuration, a section of the blue and black loop at Lapham Peak crosses the property controlled by the Department of Corrections. Skiers and hikers are anxious to maintain access to the trail, in the event the state sells off the Ethan Allen property, a likely prospect given the planned closure included in Gov. Scott Walker's budget.

I called DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp this morning to ask if the DNR would pursue a part of Ethan Allen's 200 acres.

Laurel Steffes, a communications director, responded: "We are actively talking to the Department of Corrections about the land. It's a little early to have any final kind of disposition.

"Everyone is of a mind we want to see the trails preserved, and we're talking about that now. I don't think there will be any issue."

The map below shows the boundary of Lapham Peak and Ethan Allen, but officials say the school property extends onto the trail south of the observation tower.