Muskego Parks and Recreation
With three lakes, numerous parks, conservation sites and well-kept recreation trails, Muskego offers valuable assets through its open spaces and dedication to preserving the area’s natural beauty.
Big Muskego Lake State Wildlife Area is located on the southern border and includes a 3,800 acre conservation site. With an average depth of three feet and approximately 2,260 acres of water to explore, the site provides fascinating opportunities to sportsmen and bird watchers. Bass Bay is a 100-acre offshoot of Big Lake, offering fishing and hunting opportunities.
Little Muskego Lake is our best-known lake. With an average depth of 14 feet, the 506 acres of water allows fabulous fishing (largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye and panfish) and recreational use (boating, skiing and sailing). Idle Isle Park features a swimming beach and fishing pier while providing the perfect venue for community events such as July 3 Fireworks and the Muskego Water Bugs Ski Show performances held on summer Wednesday evenings.
Lake Denoon offers a boat ramp, cattail island and water habitat for the rare Black Tern. Located in the southwest corner of Muskego, this lake covers 162 acres with an average depth of 18 feet.
Badertscher Preserve is a beautiful area with four miles of hiking trails and off street parking. Its 104 acres of rolling glacial hills, wetlands and artesian springs are located on Field Drive.
Engel Conservation consists of 155 acres offering outdoor education with upland woodlands, wetlands and prairie plantings. Located on Henneberry Drive, 67 acres are enrolled in the Natural Resources Conservation Service Wetlands Reserve Program. The area provides interpretive signage for self-guided nature walks, off-street parking and a portable restroom facility.
City Trails meander through residential, farm and wooded areas with the main trail following the original path of the electric interurban railroad. Bikers and walkers can traverse the trail from the Village of Big Bend, through Muskego, and connect to the City of Franklin Hike and Bike Trail.
To view a list of Muskego parks, visit
www.cityofmuskego.org/facilities.
For a parks & recreation guide or online information, call (262) 679-4108 or visit www.cityofmuskego.org.
Muskego Water Bugs Show Ski Team
Little Muskego Lake boasts plenty of good times on Wednesday evenings throughout summer. The award-winning Water Bugs Ski Team performs a free 90-minutes show at 6:30 p.m. in front of Idle Isle Park. With an age range of 7 to 56, the 50-member team delights the crowd with family-oriented themes each year. The team focuses on proficiency – moving members from beginner skiers to experienced members who perform ski tricks. Special events occur throughout the season, including:
- A July 3 show in conjunction with Muskego’s Independence celebration.
- The Adaptive Skiing program where club member Peggy Moriarty directs the team as they teach disabled people how to water ski.
- The ski show held in conjunction with the Muskego Chamber’s tasting event, Taste of Muskego, held the second Wednesday of July. Tickets are limited; sales begin in June. (414) 422-1155, www.muskego.org/events
For more information regarding the Ski Team, visit www.waterbugs.org.
Big Bend
The Village Park, located along the Fox River, offers a beautiful setting for fishing, relaxing and recreation. The Big Bend-Vernon Lions Club handles the Floyd Swayze Memorial Center Hall, which is available to rent and seats up to 100 people. Playground equipment and parking available. The annual Rumble by the River is held in this park.
Hall rental: (262) 922-0005
Town of Norway & Wind Lake
Meyer Park is an 18-acre town park offering a beautiful venue for a variety of sports: diamonds for baseball, softball, t-ball, basketball hoops and soccer field. In addition, a hiking trail, sledding hill, playground and meadow gardens offer fabulous recreational areas. Call the recreation department, (262) 895-6335, for rentals of the historic Meyer Park Barn, gazebo and picnic pavilions.
Racine County Colonel Heg Memorial Park is 20 acres dedicated to historical education. An 1830s log cabin and museum are staffed by the Wind Lake Historical Society and open on summer weekend afternoons. The park offers a sledding hill and play area.