Updates on the Valley-to-Eastside Expansion Project
Mound City Bank Donate $2,500 to the Valley-to-Eastside Expansion Project
June 2025
The Valley-to-Eastside Expansion Project steering committee thanks Mound City Bank for their generous $2,500 donation to a land acquisition project. The nonprofit Platteville Community Arboretum (PCA) is collaborating with Inspiring Community for this endeavor. This contribution supports the PCA’s effort to acquire 15 acres of public green space for the community and will benefit Platteville indefinitely with more places to enjoy the outdoors. Note that this gift will be recognized on a special kiosk, and one can see more about this project at https://bit.ly/PCAproject.
Donna Hoppenjan, CEO of Mound City Bank stated “We’re proud to support the trail expansion as a way to promote health, safety, and connection in Platteville. It’s an investment in a stronger, more active community for years to come.”
Those interested in contributing may make checks payable to “Inspiring Community” and either drop them off or mail to Inspiring Community, Inc., 190 Market Street, Platteville, WI 53818. Please note “Valley-to-Eastside Expansion Project” or “VEEP” on the memo line.
Inspiring Community is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization (ID: 82-2002935) focused on building community and promoting civic engagement through collaboration, leveraging investments, and fostering leadership and volunteerism. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Amanda & Ben Kroll Donate $10,000 to the Valley-to-Eastside Expansion Project
June 2025
The Valley-to-Eastside Expansion Project steering committee thanks Amanda & Ben Kroll for their generous $10,000 donation to a land acquisition project. The nonprofit Platteville Community Arboretum (PCA) is collaborating with Inspiring Community for this endeavor. This contribution supports the PCA’s effort to acquire 15 acres of public green space for the community and will benefit Platteville indefinitely with more places to enjoy the outdoors. Note that this gift will be recognized on a special kiosk, and one can see more about this project at https://bit.ly/PCAproject.
“Our family uses the trail all the time - for biking, running, and just getting outside together. It's such an important part of our routine and our health, both physically and mentally.” Amanda Kroll continued, “Supporting the trail expansion was an easy decision for us. We're excited to help make this space even more accessible for other families and future generations to enjoy.”
Those interested in contributing may make checks payable to “Inspiring Community” and either drop them off or mail to Inspiring Community, Inc., 190 Market Street, Platteville, WI 53818. Please note “Valley-to-Eastside Expansion Project” or “VEEP” on the memo line.
Inspiring Community is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization (ID: 82-2002935) focused on building community and promoting civic engagement through collaboration, leveraging investments, and fostering leadership and volunteerism. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Caroline & Bruce Kroll Donate $10,000 to the Valley-to-Eastside Expansion Project
May 2025
The Valley-to-Eastside Expansion Project steering committee thanks Caroline & Bruce Kroll for their generous $10,000 donation to a land acquisition project. The nonprofit Platteville Community Arboretum (PCA) is collaborating with Inspiring Community for this endeavor. This contribution supports the PCA’s effort to acquire 15 acres of public green space for the community and will benefit Platteville indefinitely with more places to enjoy the outdoors. Note that this gift will be recognized on a special kiosk, and one can see more about this project at https://bit.ly/PCAproject.
Caroline Kroll said, “We are appreciative of PCA trail system and how it benefits this community. We look forward to the future expansion!”
Those interested in contributing may make checks payable to “Inspiring Community” and either drop them off or mail to Inspiring Community, Inc., 190 Market Street, Platteville, WI 53818. Please note “Valley-to-Eastside Expansion Project” or “VEEP” on the memo line.
Inspiring Community is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization (ID: 82-2002935) focused on building community and promoting civic engagement through collaboration, leveraging investments, and fostering leadership and volunteerism. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Nies Kids Charitable Foundation Donates $5,000 to the Valley-to-Eastside Expansion Project
May 2025
The Valley-to-Eastside Expansion Project steering committee thanks the Nies Kids Charitable Foundation for their generous $5,000 donation to a land acquisition project. The nonprofit Platteville Community Arboretum (PCA) is collaborating with Inspiring Community for this endeavor. This contribution supports the PCA’s effort to acquire 15 acres of public green space for the community and will benefit Platteville indefinitely with more places to enjoy the outdoors. Note that this gift will be recognized on a special kiosk, and one can see more about this project at https://bit.ly/PCAproject.
Braden, Josie, and Camryn Nies said in a mutual statement, “We chose to donate to our community’s biking and walking trail since it’s instrumental in creating safe, healthy alternative opportunities for the people in Platteville and surrounding towns. This trail will continue to be a lasting gift that brings people together and enriches the lives of all those who use it.”
Those interested in contributing may make checks payable to “Inspiring Community” and either drop them off or mail to Inspiring Community, Inc., 190 Market Street, Platteville, WI 53818. Please note “Valley-to-Eastside Expansion Project” or “VEEP” on the memo line.
Inspiring Community is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization (ID: 82-2002935) focused on building community and promoting civic engagement through collaboration, leveraging investments, and fostering leadership and volunteerism. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
April 26, 2025
BY KONRAD STRZALKA konrad.strzalka@thmedia.com
PLATTEVILLE, Wis. — Organizers say a fundraising initiative to expand Platteville’s trail system is making good strides despite a recent need for additional state funding.
The Valley-to-Eastside Expansion Project adds approximately 15 acres of greenspace for public use in two separate areas. The primary part of the project is the addition of nearly a mile of walkable trail along the abandoned railroad bed stretching southeast from Business 151 to Eastside Road. Also in the project scope is the construction of a trailhead on Valley Road, near the city’s dog park, with parking, gardens and a picnic area.
Last fall, the city of Platteville was tentatively awarded a $136,700 grant to help purchase land for the project.
The city applied for the 50% matching grant, which is part of the Urban Green Space subprogram of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, on behalf of Platteville Community Arboretum, which maintains the city’s trail network and is spearheading the extension. PCA will provide the matching funds.
The grant was intended to assist in the purchasing of five parcels then believed to total 11.2 acres. However, PCA recently requested the city amend the grant application and ask for an additional $45,000, which PCA would then match.
PCA president Joe Jacquinot said this was because the land was originally appraised incorrectly and a recent surveying of the land by Delta 3 Engineering revealed larger parcel sizes than originally thought.
“One of the parcels was almost another three acres,” Jacquinot said.
Platteville Community Development Director Joe Carroll spoke on the predicament during the information and discussion portion of Tuesday’s Common Council meeting, noting the council would need to approve the grant amendment request at a future meeting.
Regardless of the grant situation, Jacquinot said PCA has made strides in its fundraising efforts. He said PCA has just over half of its $200,000 fundraising goal “in hand,” with several verbal commitments inching them even closer to that goal.
“We’re probably at least three-fourths of the way through it,” Jacquinot said.
A plan to complete the fundraiser by June 1 is still in reach, he said. PCA would then aim to close on the land by the end of 2025 and apply for a different grant in 2026 to aid in construction costs.
If this grant is approved, construction would be slated for 2027. Jacquinot said the trail may be gravel at first to ensure its speedy completion, but would eventually be paved and therefore more accessible.
“We talked about putting in a gravel trail first and then getting all our ducks in a row and paving it,” Jacquinot said. “If we pave it, more people use it.”
Carroll said Platteville’s current trails are well-used, making an expansion valuable to the community.
“It’s a goal to expand them, improve them,” Carroll said. “They’re a great community asset.”
Jacquinot, an advocate for outdoor recreation, said utilizing the trails benefits the user’s physical and mental well-being.
For information on donating to the fundraiser, contact Inspiring Community Inc. at 608-319-4045 or inspiringcommunityinc@gmail.com.
Official Announcement of the Valley-to-Eastside Expansion Project
March 2025
The board of directors of the Platteville Community Arboretum (PCA) has embarked on an ambitious project called the ‘Valley-to-Eastside Expansion Project.’ It will add approximately 15 acres of greenspace for public use in two separate areas. A portion is on Valley Road (close to the dog park) which is an ideal location for a trailhead with parking, gardens, and a picnic area. The other land is along the abandoned railroad bed stretching southeast from Business Hwy 151 to Eastside Road. This section would add nearly a mile of walkable trail and adjacent greenspace to the current trail.
To achieve success, PCA is asking for your help in purchasing the land.
In September of 2024, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources awarded a Knowles-Nelson Stewardship grant of $136,700 to the City of Platteville and PCA to cover half the project’s cost. This is a matching grant. PCA has assumed the responsibility of acquiring the matching funds by working with community members interested in investing in this project.
Joe Jacquinot, president of PCA, is leading a committee that has joined with Inspiring Community for this project. The goal is to raise the requisite funds by the end of the summer of 2025. Inspiring Community, Inc. (190 Market Street, Platteville) is accepting donations on behalf of the Valley-to-Eastside Expansion Project. Additionally, Inspiring Community will work with PCA and the City of Platteville to the successful completion of the project.
For more information or to request a presentation, contact plattevillearboretum@gmail.com.
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.