Christmas Day Wisconsin residents and visitors to the state received a visionary gift from the people in the greater Plymouth, Wisconsin area. A beautiful natural attraction, the Broughton Sheboygan Marsh Park and Wildlife Area now has unprecendented public access. The community of Plymouth set its sights high and the state's tallest wooden observation tower is now ready for visitors to climb. It is terrific for a family outing over the holiday break from school.

After four years of fund raising and development the tallest wooden tower in the state of Wisconsin is now open to the public.  The Friends of the Sheboygan County Marsh, announced the opening of the Marsh Tower on Friday, December 25, 2009, Christmas Day.

The wooden observation tower is eighty feet high and is now the tallest wooden tower structure in the state. It features four large viewing platforms and the base. The tower, located at the Broughton Sheboygan Marsh Park and Wildlife Area, which covers 14,000 acres, more than half of which is county- and state-owned land.

It is near the entrance to the county-owned 30-acre park near the junction of County Highways J and P northwest of Elkhart Lake and 10 minutes to Plymouth, Wisconsin. http://www.plymouthwisconsin.com/pdf/map_sheb.pdf. 

The Broughton Sheboygan March Park and Wildlife Area was previously only accessed via the water limiting  public access to the enormous wildlife area. The tower makes the marsh viewable for all from the land.

Also, the extraordinary view from the top of the tower is  visible from the Marsh Lodge restaurant and tavern for those who are disabled or chose not to climb to the summit.  (http://www.threeguysandagrill.com/s_menu.html)

The view from the lodge is made possible using a camera attached to the top of the tower. It's connected to a screen in the Marsh Lodge, allowing patrons there to enjoy the fantastic view while relaxing indoors.

Even though more than $300,000 has been raised, about $100,000 more is needed for completion of the the project. Individuals or groups can donate to the effort by purchasing a step for $1,000; one of the bricks that surround the base of the tower for $100 to $1,000; and mid-platforms for $3,000.

Donations can be sent to Friends of the Marsh, PO Box 301, Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin 53020 or by contacting the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce for a full color brochure telling the full story of the community effort to build this amazing, new public attraction. http://www.plymouthwisconsin.com