Stigler Nature Preserve, New Berlin, WI

Stigler Nature Preserve is an amazing space ideal for dog walks, located right in the middle of a New Berlin business park. Seeing as it is found in the middle of the city, this reserve is conveniently located and not hard to miss. The trail itself is not so long, stretching just over a mile, and most of it is easy going. The paths are mostly cedar chips, and well plotted out. The surroundings are lush and full of greenery. Lots of trees, a creek flows through the preserve, and there is a meadow on the outskirts of part of the foot path. Not as many birds as you would like to see, but plenty to be heard. Stigler Nature Preserve boasts a great feature of some wilderness nestled among urban development.

This space was built with the help of funding from a great man, A.I. who meant a lot to the city of New Berlin. His legacy is a beautiful piece of wooded land where they built a loop trail, no trail map needed, that has a stream running through it. If you’re looking for miles of hiking trails, this isn’t it. But if you’re looking for a quick walk with your dog in a peaceful, wooded setting, this is it. Dogs are supposed to be leashed but plenty of people don’t leash. Just a head’s up that not all dogs are friendly and if you don’t have control over your dog off leash and they approach a leashed dog that’s not friendly, it won’t be a good situation for either party. Visitors are thus encouraged to be responsible with your pet. Thanks Al, for your legacy.

Stigler Nature Reserve is truly a great little place to get out for a walk in the woods. Even though the trail head is tucked between apartments and an industrial park, it feels remarkably secluded once you leave the parking lot. The loop is approximately a mile long with two bridges crossing a stream. The surface is mainly wood chips and broad for the most part, although a small back section of the loop narrows allowing you to brush against tall grass by mid-summer. Ensure that you check for ticks when you get out. If there has been rain recently, sections of the trail will be moist and the bugs can be nasty. Definitely use bug spray and avoid coming just before dusk if you can.

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