Polk County Delays Approval of Trail MOU

Negotiations with state DNR continue over Stower Seven Lakes State Trail

Apr. 5, 2026 at 2:42pm

The Polk County Board has put a hold on approving a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the county and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources regarding the Stower Seven Lakes State Trail, sending the document back to committee for further review.

Why it matters

The Stower Seven Lakes State Trail is an important recreational asset for the Osceola community, and the MOU outlines the management and maintenance responsibilities between the county and state. The delay in approving the MOU could impact the trail's operations and future development.

The details

The MOU being developed between Polk County and the Wisconsin DNR would establish the terms for managing and maintaining the Stower Seven Lakes State Trail, which runs through the county. However, the county board has decided to send the MOU back to committee for additional scrutiny before giving final approval.

  • The Polk County Board discussed the MOU at their meeting on April 5, 2026.

The players

Polk County

The local government entity in Wisconsin that is negotiating the MOU with the state DNR over the Stower Seven Lakes State Trail.

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

The state agency that manages Wisconsin's natural resources, including the Stower Seven Lakes State Trail, and is working with Polk County on the MOU.

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What’s next

The MOU will now go back to a county committee for further review before returning to the full Polk County Board for a final decision.

The takeaway

The delay in approving the MOU highlights the complex negotiations required between local and state governments to manage shared recreational assets like the Stower Seven Lakes State Trail, and the importance of ensuring all stakeholder interests are addressed.