Press Releases
Take A Trip On The Trail With PCA
August 2025
This September, the volunteers of the Platteville Community Arboretum (PCA) will host another Accessible Trail Tour. Initiated in 2023, this idea originally came from Tom Loeffelholz and Ron Weier. These tours use golf carts to show people with mobility issues the beautiful David Canny Rountree Branch Trail. It’s a way for someone to see about half of the 3-mile trail if one cannot physically do it on their own.
The first years the PCA focused on offering rides to folks staying in assisted living, like Park Place and Sienna Crest, in Platteville. Angie Pierce, RN and administrator of Park Place, said, “The Seniors who live at Park Place are so appreciate the Accessible Trail Tour! The volunteers are so caring and personable. It is a great opportunity for everyone to enjoy the Platteville Community Arboretum by connecting with community members and the beauty of the outdoors, especially for those who have mobility issues.”
Since past riders expressed their enjoyment with the tour, the PCA wants to keep offering it. Kay Kingeter said, “There’s so much to take in, one visit isn’t enough.” Another rider, Muz Aebersold, stated appreciation of the weekly volunteer crews that spend two-hour shifts maintaining the trail by saying, “It’s great how the volunteers keep it up. The time devoted to the trail is amazing.” Even our volunteer drivers, like Mark Schell, have good things to say, like, “Each tour was unique. One rider marveled at the lighting, and one enjoyed the trees and plant identification. Each of them enjoyed the stories about the Bill Mitchell sculptures.”
The trail rides start and end at the trailhead behind Menard’s on Keystone Parkway. The ride takes less than an hour and features the company of a volunteer driver along with views of the creek most of the way, several gardens, outdoor artwork, and crossing a former railroad bridge.
The golf carts are donated for the day by private cart owners who typically use them at the Platteville Golf & Country Club. These owners will either volunteer to drive their cart for the tours or allow the PCA volunteer to do the driving. Either way, the PCA cannot offer this event without the kindness of these cart owners. Last year, a 6-person cart was also used thanks to Tim Boldt of Pioneer Ford, and he plans to offer it again.
Volunteer driver, Dianne Jentz, said that “…seeing the smiles on the faces of those on the tour was personally satisfying and rewarding for me,” which tells us that the drivers get as much out of the tours as the riders.”
The PCA will offer rides to any community members that have mobility issues on Tuesday, September 16th from 11 AM to 1 PM. Potential riders would need an email address and phone number to sign-up online, and provide their own transportation to get to/from the starting point.
Depending on the demand, it’s possible more times could be added to the slots. If weather cancels the ride for September 16th, the rain date will be the next day, and the new sign-up will appear online as soon as possible.
Regional Chamber Recognizes The PCA Turning 20
On March 13, 2025, Dianne Jentz, Robin Fatzinger & Gene Weber accept a Certificate of 20 Years Membership from the Platteville Regional Chamber. Note that the PCA officially became a nonprofit in 2004.
Reclamation Areas Get Burned
On March 12th, several PCA volunteers from the Monday crew and members of the Platteville Fire Department handled a controlled burn in the two Reclamation Areas of the trail. It took about two hours.
Fire is one of nature’s greatest tools, and it benefits the management of our prairies, woodlands, and wetlands. We tend to suppress fires, which gives weeds and non-native plants the ability to take over an area. However, prescribed burns control and clear invasive plants while maintaining the health of native plants.
Sassy & Sue Visit Cuba City Students
In early March, Sue Kies, “Sassy’s Vacation” author, and Robin Fatzinger of the PCA, delivered 126 complementary books to Cuba City students in 1st, 2nd, & 3rd grades. This brings the total donor funded books to over one thousand delivered. The schools include Platteville’s Westview Elementary, Cuba City Elementary, St. Clements (Lancaster) and Immaculate Conception Holy Ghost (Kieler/Dickeyville).
Gene Weber (PCA) said this all happened because of the wonderful community donors. Donors like Scott & Connie Wright of Lifeline Audio Video Technologies, and Nancy Davies of the Cuba City Lions, and Lori Droessler-Raupp of Lori Droessler Real Estate. Sue gave a 30-minute presentation on writing the book and noted “The dedicated teachers were great to work with and the well-mannered students were a joy!!”
Lisa Zeller, 3rd grade teacher, said, "This was an amazing opportunity for our students to meet an author and hear why she wrote the book. Their expressions when she said they would all get her book were incredible. Sue reading the book made it more memorable for all of us. They had so many questions about the trail and book when we returned to our room, that led to a great discussion."
"What a unique opportunity to step into the world of creativity and imagination through the eyes of an author. Sue Kies’ words inspired, challenged and opened our minds to new ideas,” said Tanya Kopp, 1st grade teacher.
Lori Droessler-Raupp commented how she was happy to donate books that also supports the PCA. Reading is a passion of hers and her own grown children. Lori said, “I like to donate to the opportunity for children to have new books whenever I can. This was a fun and fulfilling opportunity!”
“It was my pleasure to use my Thrivent seed money to support my love of reading with the children who came to the author visit. Sue did a wonderful job connecting with each child and sharing her first-hand experience of Rountree Branch and Katie's Garden. Students were inspired to spend time outside looking for the turtles like Snappy along the Rountree Branch,” said Nancy Davies, Cuba City teacher.
Connie Wright cited, “Scott and I enjoy helping with community events as much as possible. We are supportive of the Platteville Community Arboretum along with Cuba City school district.”
"The experience of meeting an author can be transformative for a young student. Sue Kies reminded our students that literature is right outside your back door and accessible to everyone!” said Jason Holzemer, Principal Cuba City Elementary. He mentioned how grateful they were for students to receive free books.
Note that Cuba City will have a larger first grade class next fall, so donors that want to get books to them can contribute $250 to PCA. Any school interested in this complementary book and author presentation program should contact Gene Weber at 608-778-6914.
PCA Thanks Their Corporate Sponsors in the Platteville Journal
In February of 2025, the Platteville Journal ran a full-page ad highlighting all the Corporate Sponsors of the PCA. This was several weeks in the making. After the Board of Directors approved the cost of placing an ad in the paper, our Board members visited the sponsors for pictures, which is always the toughest part of showing appreciation. Forty sponsors makes for a lot of legwork, but it was a nice problem to have because they are helping a wonderful nonprofit like the PCA.
Platteville Community Fund awards the PCA a $10,000 grant
In October 2024, the Platteville Community Fund awarded the PCA a $10,000 grant from the Robert & Marian Graham Community Fund, Margaret S. Keizer Charitable Fund, Carmen and Eva Beining Community Fund of the Platteville Community Fund. This is the first donation towards the Valley-to-Eastside Expansion Project.