The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources announced Monday that the Potawatomi State Park observation tower will finally be re-opened for regular use this spring. Having been closed since December of 2017 due to unsafe conditions with structural wood decay, the tower’s fate was the topic of debate between the DNR, Governor Evers, and the residents of Door County. After the governor approved the tower’s emergency stabilization funding in the last biennial budget, intensive restoration work began.
The DNR says the tower will now reopen when the snow and ice is sufficiently cleared to allow for safe public access. They anticipate that will be in mid-to late April, similar to previous years when the tower was regularly opened each season, weather permitting. There is still some minor site work to be completed around the tower, but that is expected to be done prior to the tower’s re-opening.
Governor Evers and the DNR also recently announced an additional park project in the 2025-2027 capital development budget proposal, a fully-accessible lookout for park users of all abilities. This will ensure that those who cannot or may not want to climb the tower may also enjoy the amazing view from the park. Remaining dollars from the tower restoration project will be re-appropriated to this project along with additional funding.
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