Lastest News [scroll down to see all the news]
Campsite C named Best Walk-in Site in the State!
Ranger Randy attended the Fall meeting of the Friends of Wisconsin State Parks to receive the award for the Best Walk-in Campsite in Wisconsin on Friday, October 21st in Madison. Backpack Campsite C was chosen once again for this award. You can see why!
Oh, Ranger! ParkFinder knows Rock Island State Park
Got an iPhone or iPod Touch? Download the free Oh, Ranger! ParkFinder app from the Apple iTunes App store or from http://www.ohranger.com/app/parkfinder and keep info about Rock Island really close at hand.
2012 Docent Applications Available NOW
Click here to complete an application to be a docent at the Pottawatomie Lighthouse during the 2012 park season. Applications are due by February 1st, 2012. Be sure to read the docent agreement and duties before signing up so you know what is expected of museum docents. FORI members get first consideration for docent opportunities. To join, see our Memberships page.
Ranger Kirby Foss Retired
Head Ranger and Property Manager for Rock Island State Park, Kirby Foss, retired on June 30th. FORI threw him a party on Washington Island that was attended by family and friends and members of the Board of FORI. A keepsake Rock Island rock with a hand painted depiction of the park was presented by Grace Ann Carpenter and a king quad chair to help him relax in his leisure time was presented by Colleen Andrews on behalf of the Board and the members of FORI. We wished him well in his retirement, but let him know that FORI would miss him very much.
Ranger Randy Holm took over the management of the park and he is now assisted by Ian. They have some big shoes to fill, that's for sure!
Rock Island received Gold Seal Award
Rock Island State Park received the Gold Seal award for best Best Kayaking or Canoeing park in the state in 2010. Ranger Kirby Foss attended the awards ceremony in Madison on October 23rd, 2010. Read more about the Gold Seal awards on the DNR website.
July Annual Picnic
Our annual Picnic and Silent Auction happened from 11am-3pm on Saturday, July 2nd this year. Besides great food and tons of auction items, there was a free concert in the Boathouse featuring Galynne and Markondrums from 1-2pm and lots of park merchandise for sale too. The annual Silent Auction in the Boathouse raised lots of donations for FORI again this year.
Our 2012 picnic is being planned with the addition of some new activities and chances to win prizes. Friends who would like to donate items for the annual silent auction should contact Colleen Andrews to make arrangements to get your donation to the park.
Pottawatomie Lighthouse is Wisconsin's Oldest Lighthouse!
The Lightstation on the north end of Rock Island is the oldest lighthouse in Wisconsin. It has been restored as a live-in museum to what it was in its 1910 era. Docents live in the lighthouse from Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day each year, giving tours from 10am-4pm daily and from noon - 4pm Sundays. Tours include a visit to the lantern room to see the replica of the 4th Order Fresnel lens and to look north to St. Martin's Island in Michigan and northwest to Escanaba and the Upper Michigan Garden Peninsula. Pottawatomie Lighthouse is a 2-flat with living quarters for the Head Keeper on the main floor and for the Assistant Keeper and his family on the second floor. One unique feature of this lighthouse is that every room has a large closet which was very uncommon for homes built in 1858. Besides tours, the museum has a gift shop with Rock Island and Lighthouse clothing and souvenirs. Donations for tours are gratefully accepted in the Summer Kitchen.
Other News: See our News page for information on the In Wisconsin TV segments featuring Rock Island State Park and the Pottawatomie Lighthouse