Two of Wisconsin's scenic trails might become more popular

• The Ice Age Trail

The Ice Age Trail

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Two of Wisconsin’s scenic trails might get more popular if they’re awarded a new federal status.

The National Park Service is being asked to grant so-called “unit status” to the Ice Age and North Country trails. It would make them equal on a government level with the more well-known Appalachian Trial and Natchez Trace.

All eight of Wisconsin’s U.S. House members and Senate Democrat Russ Feingold have requested the unit status. Mike Wollmer of the Ice Age Trail Alliance says it would give more exposure to his group’s two trails. It would also create uniform signs, along with parking and interpretative facilities.

The Ice Age Trail attempted to get the federal status in the 1990’s, but it failed. Now, Wollmer says he’s hopeful the new effort will succeed. The Ice Age Trail winds through 31 Wisconsin counties. The North Country Trail runs through seven states from New York to North Dakota.

Tags: outdoors, news, recreation