Monroe County WI

The most unique features of this trail are the three train tunnels that range in length from a quarter mile to three-quarters of a mile. They are particularly popular in the summer, offering a cool reprieve for travelers venturing along the path. The La Crosse River State Trail is 22 miles long and parallels the La Crosse River between Sparta and La Crosse. These two trails also connect with the Great River State Trail to the north and the 400 State Trail to the south, creating a continuous bike route stretching more than 100 miles long. “It’s one of the highlights that makes us such a family-oriented county,” Osterberg says. Monroe County also offers highly rated schools and healthcare facilities, including Tomah Health and (VA) Veterans Affairs Hospital in Tomah and Gundersen and Mayo Clinic Health Systems in Sparta. If you like classic architecture and impressive old buildings, the Monroe County Courthouse is a historic building constructed in 1895 and located in downtown Sparta. Just about any city or village in the county has a thriving, unique downtown area full of activities and a growing number of hospitality options year-round. LOOKING AHEAD According to Ohnstad, Monroe County residents don’t want it to become a “traditional suburban area.” By focusing on the environment, the people, and what’s best for those who live, work, and play in the county, Monroe County will continue to be a place where many choose to build their lives. “Environmental aesthetics is what draws people here,” says Ohnstad. “But we also need to support opportunities for industrial growth as well as recreation and we work every day to do that.” Local access to state and county highways will help with that, he adds. The county is always creating new partnerships with conservation groups and modernizing its operations and systems. Above all, residents in Monroe County are “free, willing, and looking to have fun in their lives,” Schnitzler says. w w w . j e w e l l a s s o c . c o m Providing our clients innovative engineering and architectural solutions. TRANSPORTATION STRUCTURAL ARCHITECTURE SITE/CIVIL SURVEYING CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION “We’re rich in traditions and we like to gather together and have fun,” says Schnitzler.“Every municipality has some sort of festival. COUNTY INFRASTRUCTURE AND ATTRACTIONS Road infrastructure is key, says County Highway Commissioner David Ohnstad. There are 667 lane miles of state highways in the county alone. Recent building upgrades have included the newly constructed Rolling Hills Senior Living Center by Sparta. Monroe County management is looking to consolidate its officers to highlight additional efficiencies as well. Says Osterberg,“We always want to be forward-thinking.” Perhaps the county’s biggest attraction is its Rails to Trails open to all. The Elroy-Sparta State Trail is a 32-mile route that winds through five communities, four of which are in Monroe County: Kendall,Wilton, Norwalk, and Sparta. 8 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 5, ISSUE 01