Where nature, culture, and community come together
At the center of Shawano’s vibrant community, the Alpine Shores Park Grace Trail® offers more than a walking path—it’s a hub of reflection, healing, learning, and connection. This trail has become a meaningful space used by people of all ages for intergenerational field trips, mental wellness programs, cultural preservation, and everyday discovery.
Whether it’s students exploring nature, community members gathering for events, or families enjoying quiet moments together, this trail continues to inspire and bring people together through its timeless questions.
A multilingual trail filled with wonder
Designed with inclusivity in mind, the trail features beautifully engraved stone signs in Menominee (an endangered Algonquian language spoken by the historic Menominee people), Spanish, and English. As walkers move along shaded paths, over footbridges, and past contemplative benches, they are guided by audio reflections from Grace Trail creator Anne Jolles, accessible through QR codes.
Adding to the experience, 23 hand-forged metal forest animals are hidden throughout the trail, inviting curiosity and playful exploration.
A community-led legacy of care
Brought to life by Shawano resident Janis “Matty” Mathison and an incredible team of volunteers and local organizations, this trail stands as a powerful testament to what a community can achieve together. Their shared vision transformed Alpine Shores Park into a sanctuary for resilience, wellness, education, and joy.
This trail isn’t just visited—it’s loved. It is used, nurtured, and celebrated by its community in ongoing, meaningful ways.
Ready to bring something like this to your community?
If you’re part of a school, town, cultural organization, or wellness initiative looking to create an intergenerational space for healing, learning, and connection—Grace Trail offers the tools and support to help make it happen. We’d love to learn more about your vision—share it with us here.
