Burkepile Property
The Burkepile Property protects 62 acres of diverse habitats, including forested wetland, mature hardwood forest, and open grassland. The rolling hills found on this property are representative of the glacial moraine topography of the region.
Over 40% of the property is designated as Primary Environmental Corridor by the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC). Primary Environmental Corridors are areas in the landscape which contain especially high value natural, scenic, historic, scientific, and recreational features. In Southeastern Wisconsin, they are generally found along major stream valleys, around major lakes, and in the Kettle Moraine.
CLCF is looking forward to working with the Ice Age Trail Alliance (IATA) to extend the Ice Age Trail through the Burkepile property in the future in order to eliminate approximately ½ mile of road-walking.
History
On July 30, 2024, CLCF closed on the purchase of the Burkepile property, which lies just west of Scenic Drive and north of Paradise Drive in the Town of West Bend. CLCF is grateful to Diane Burkepile’s children, Jana, Cindy, Brian and Jon, for their desire to conserve this property in its natural state.
Funding for this conservation project was in part from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ Knowles-Nelson Program and the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District’s Greenseams Program.
Access
This property is located on Scenic Drive and Paradise Drive in the Town of West Bend, WI 53095.
While there is no parking lot at this location, hunters or hikers may park on the pull-off on Paradise Drive. It is located in the southeastern corner of the property, in front of a rope gate. Parking along the road shoulder is not allowed by the Town of West Bend.
Hunting
This property was acquired in part with Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Funds through the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and as such, it is open to hunting. All hunters must abide by the current WI DNR Rules and Regulations, and any applicable Town or County ordinances. Please be respectful of our neighbors, the land, and your fellow hunters.
Hunters are responsible for knowing where CLCF open property boundaries are located and for staying within these boundaries. Hunters are responsible for familiarizing themselves with all applicable rules and regulations, following whichever is most restrictive. Tree stands and ground blinds must be labeled with personal information following DNR regulations and must be visible from the ground.
Please note that this is the only CLCF property that allows public hunting. The 40-acre parcel to the north, although it is adjacent, does not permit hunting.
In addition to any prohibited actions stated within DNR rules and regulations, the following are prohibited on this property:
- Leaving trail cameras or deer blinds/stands up overnight.
- Parking along the road shoulder of Paradise Drive or Scenic Drive.
- The cutting or removal of any plants or trees upon the property for any reason.
- Baiting.
- “Screw-in” tree steps or any other tree-damaging equipment, including attaching trail cameras.
- Motorized vehicles of any kind on the property outside of the parking area.
Equipment found in association with a violation will be removed from the property.
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