8200 W. County Line Road, Mequon, WI 53097 | (262) 242-8055 | Open Daily: Dawn to Dusk
The story of how vision, generosity, and community came together to save a square mile of land for future generations
In 2000, Mr. Richard Paddock looked out from his Alexian Village apartment and saw woods and fields stretching north. With a twinkle in his eye, he said something that would change the landscape of Mequon forever:
“It would be good to save a little land.”
With a generous grant from the Paddock Fund at the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, Dick set in motion an effort that has saved almost a square mile in the heart of the Milwaukee metropolitan area for future generations.
The City of Mequon, with the assistance of the Ozaukee Washington Land Trust, took up Dick’s challenge. What started as a simple vision grew into something remarkable.
Since that time, Mequon Nature Preserve has grown to 510 acres in size and now features over six miles of trails, an observation tower, a natural playspace, and an education center.
Richard Paddock’s vision and the Paddock Fund grant set the foundation for saving land in Mequon.
MNP Inc. becomes a non-profit, tax-exempt organization with a volunteer Board of Directors.
The preserve now encompasses 510 acres with over six miles of trails, serving thousands of students annually and welcoming the community year-round.
Located at 8200 West County Line Road, Mequon, Wisconsin, the PieperPower Education Center serves as MNP’s hub for outdoor activities and community programs.
This facility enables us to provide FREE hands-on science field trips to thousands of Milwaukee area school children each year, welcoming over 3,000 students annually.
For All Visitors
The City of Mequon leases the property for $1 a year to Mequon Nature Preserve, Inc., a non-profit, tax-exempt organization.
MNP Inc. provides FREE hands-on science field trips to thousands of Milwaukee area school children and has set out to restore the beech maple forest and wooded wetlands that existed on the property in the early 1800’s.
All programs and activities are funded by charitable contributions.
Your support ensures that future generations can experience the wonder of nature, just as Richard Paddock envisioned.
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