1.6 Chippewa Valley Railroad and Woodlands

Carson Park Master Plan 2021

1.6 Chippewa Valley Railroad and Woodlands

The Chippewa Valley Railroad, 16-in gauge (1/4 scale) steam locomotive, is accessed by a winding road through heavily wooded highlands in the south end of the park. The access road is like Half Moon Drive and does not have curbing. The pavement is in good condition. There is a two to three-foot gravel shoulder along both sides. Several places along the road are used for pull-off parking. A small materials storage area for maintenance purposes is near the entrance of the access road at Carson Park Drive.

The most southern point of the access road (about halfway) an open, lawn area overlooks the lower marsh and is used for picnics and gatherings. From that point the rail line runs parallel to the road leading into the parking lot for the Chippewa Valley Railroad facility. At the facility there are several buildings and a shelter related to the 1/4 scale of the Railroad. These buildings create a small village setting. A 1/2-mile rail line extends through the heavily forested area. Most of the trees in this woodland are pine.

There is an overlook near the Railroad parking lot with two benches and views of the marshy lowlands. A stone marker describes the canal that once connected logging operations to Half Moon Lake. The benches are relatively new and in good condition. Dirt footpaths provide access to each bench.

A short, concrete walk connects the Chippewa Valley Railroad site to nearby Carson Park Drive and a crosswalk to the baseball fi eld. The walk is fully accessible.

In this portion of the park, the multi-use trail extends through the woods near the rail line, separate from Carson Park Drive. The trail follows along the base of a small bluff with the rail, visually unseen, along the higher elevation. The trail eventually joins Carson Park Drive as the road descends the bluff to the causeway at the east park entrance.

Marsh

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Carson Park Dr

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Chippewa Valley Railroad W Half Moon Dr Half Moon Lake

Half Moon Lake

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Map 1.6 Chippewa Valley Railroad and Woodlands

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1.17 Bike path at entrance to Chippewa Valley Railroad 1.18 Road to Chippewa Valley Railroad

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1.19 Informal picnic area along road to Chippewa Valley Railroad 1.20 Chippewa Valley Railroad

1.21 Rail crossing 1.22 The Canal historic plaque

1.23 Chippewa Valley Railroad Station 1.24 Carson Park Drive crossing from CVR to the baseball fi eld

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16 17 Carson Park Master Plan 2021