Forestry and Outdoor Recreation

Oneida County Forest Memorials & Donations

Purpose:

The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines used for Oneida County Forest donations and memorials.

Guidelines established by this policy will apply to all donations made after the effective date of this policy. Donations made prior to the adoption of this policy shall be subject to any sections of this policy that may be applicable.

Criteria for New Donations:

Monetary donations for general or specific parks/facilities improvements are always gratefully accepted; however, the Oneida County Forestry Department (“Department”) will consider donations involving placement of an element on the landscape on a case-by-case basis.

To be considered for donation, an element must meet certain conditions. The donations shall:

  • Consist of a picnic table or park bench.
  • Meet a true need of a park or facility, benefiting the forest visitor and the County Forest as a whole.
  • Not interfere with the intended current or future use of a park or facility.
  • Not require the relocation of other equipment or infrastructure.
  • Design must be practical to lessen maintenance costs and withstand environmental conditions.

NOTE: Meeting these conditions does not guarantee that an element will be approved.

Criteria for Picnic Tables:

  • *Donation Requirement: $2,000 (Model XT) or $2,500 (Model XT End Accessible) – includes table, shipping, installation and maintenance
  • Model XT -or- Model XT End Accessible Picnic Table (Pilot Rock) https://www.pilotrock.com/seriesgroup/picnic-tables/extra-heavy-duty-picnic-table-xt-series/
    • 6-foot seats (Model XT), 6-foot seats, 8-foot top (Model XT End Accessible)
    • Materials: Recycled plastic with galvanized steel pipe frame
    • Color: Brown
  • Can include optional donation or memorial plaque

Criteria for Park Benches:

*Minimum donation amounts listed above are based on 2025 pricing and subject to change. Final donation amounts will be determined by Department based on costs determined at the time of the memorial installation.

Rules & Considerations:

  • The Department reserves the right to determine whether a park or facility is fully developed and therefore, no element donations would be accepted for that park or facility.
  • The Department will be responsible for the purchase or approval of purchase by others, and will coordinate installation of all memorial elements.
  • The Department also reserves the right to determine final location and specifications on the installation of any element donation.
  • Memorial element must align with Oneida County Forest 15-Year Comprehensive Land Use Plan and Oneida County Outdoor Recreation Plan.
  • Memorial element and placement must not be contrary to Wis. Stat. 28.11 (County Forest Law).
  • Memorial items are non-refundable and memorial will remain with/be owned by Oneida County.
  • Memorials/dedications of existing facilities and land owned/operated/leased to/by Oneida County will not be allowed.
    • “Facilities” is defined as something designed, built, installed, or established to serve a specific function or purpose. Facilities include but are not limited to structures (building, kiosks, picnic tables, bridges, piers, docks), parks, picnic areas, boat landings, roads (County Forest Roads and woods roads), trails, (ski trails, equestrian trails, snowmobile/ATV trails, Hunter-Hiking trails)>
    • “Land” includes but is not limited to County-owned land/forest and unnamed water bodies within County Forest ownership.
    • Facilities and Lands named prior to the adoption of this policy are exempt from this rule (see “Exceptions from this Policy” below).
  • Monuments (e.g. stone pedestal) and free-standing plaques will not be allowed as memorials.
  • The Department reserves the right to remove memorials at any time if they are damaged, are no longer visibly pleasing, or if they become a safety hazard.

Procedure for Making a Donation:

Donors must contact the Department to determine whether a donation is acceptable based upon criteria contained in this policy. If a donation can be accepted, the donor will complete an application form. Applications are available through mail or email. The Department will complete the initial application review, but donations may be subject to subsequent review and approval by the Committee and/or County Board. Once approved, the donor will be contacted. Payment must be made prior to purchase or installation of the donated element.

Installation of Donated Elements:

Installation of donated elements will be completed by Department personnel. If Department personnel are unable to install the donated elements, then the Department will hire a contractor to perform the installation. The installation will be scheduled at a time and date as determined by the Department so as not to unnecessarily interfere with Department maintenance or activities.

Maintenance and Repair:

The Department will be responsible for any needed maintenance or repairs of donated elements.

Removal and/or Relocation:

The Department reserves the right to remove and/ore relocate donated elements when they interfere with site safety, maintenance, or construction activities, or if maintenance and/or repair costs of the element becomes too high. In accordance with the “Notifications” section below, the Department will attempt to contact donors to notify them of any actions related to the disposition of the donation. In certain situations, such as safety or emergency situations, the notification may be made after the action has been taken. In the event an element must be permanently removed, the Department may seek an alternative location consistent with this policy.

Notifications:

The Department will attempt to contact an identifiable donor via letter to notify them of changes related to the status of the donation, such as a need to remove, relocate, or comply with other conditions set forth in this policy. It shall be the responsibility of the donor to provide the Department with a current address for purposes of notification regarding donations.

Exceptions to this Policy:

Any donation requests not conforming to this policy must be approved by the Oneida County Forestry, Land & Recreation Committee (“Committee”) and/or Oneida County Board. Examples include but are not limited to: donated buildings, structures (including playgrounds) and public art. If approved, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) may be required with the Department defining all responsibilities of the donation or project.

The Department, Committee and/or County Board may recognize civic organizations, clubs, non-profit organizations and units of government and/or their agencies with appropriate signage for contributions to the development of facilities, infrastructure and habitat management.

Memorialized Facilities and Lands, as well as memorial and/or donated elements authorized prior to the adoption of this policy are exempt from this policy. A list of these donations can be found in Appendix A.

Appendix A: Existing Donations and Memorials

The following donations and memorials predate the adoption of the Oneida County Forest Donation and Memorial Policy:

Facilities:

  • Almon Park
  • Zimmer Road
  • Rudolph Shelter
  • Judy Swank Shelter

Memorial Elements:

  • Tolsted Memorial Bench at Perch Lake
  • Casey Memorial Bench at Townline Lake Park
  • Grefe Memorial Bench in Enterprise
  • Mike Haupt Memorial Bridge (Plaque on Noisy Creek ATV Bridge)
  • ATV Club sign on shelter at Enterprise Campground for John Knudsen
  • L.G. Sorden Forest Sign in Enterprise
  • Werner Zimmer Sign in Enterprise
  • Lois Almon Plaque on rock at Almon Park
  • Baudhuin Memorial Picnic Table at scenic overview near Spruce Lake Dam