Kohler-Andrae State Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kohler-Andrae State Park
IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape)
Sand dunes at Kohler-Andrae State Park.
Kohler-Andrae State Park Location in Wisconsin Show map of Wisconsin Kohler-Andrae State Park Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	Sheboygan, Wisconsin, United States
Area	988 acres (400 ha)
Established	1927
Governing body	Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Kohler-Andrae State Park is a beautiful place to visit in Wisconsin. It's actually two state parks, Terry Andrae State Park and John Michael Kohler State Park, managed as one big park. You can find it near the city of Sheboygan.

This park covers about 988 acres (400 hectares) of land. It has over two miles (3 km) of sandy beaches and cool sand dunes along the shore of Lake Michigan. Away from the water, you'll find peaceful woods and wetlands. The Black River also flows through the park.

The park is a special home for many plants, including some that are rare or threatened.

History of Kohler-Andrae State Park

The land that makes up Terry Andrae State Park was mostly sandy. This meant early settlers couldn't use it for farming or raising animals.

How Terry Andrae State Park Started

Frank Theodore (Terry) Andrae was a businessman from Milwaukee. In 1924, he bought 92 acres (37 hectares) of this sandy land. Later, he added another 30 acres (12 hectares).

Mr. Andrae built a two-story house overlooking Lake Michigan. This house was used to welcome guests. His wife, Elsbeth Andrae, even hired experts to plant new trees on their property.

After Terry Andrae passed away in 1927, Elsbeth donated all 122 acres (49 hectares) to the State of Wisconsin. She did this to honor her husband. Terry Andrae State Park officially opened to the public in 1928.

How John Michael Kohler State Park Was Added

In April 1966, the Kohler Company gave 280 acres (113 hectares) of land to Wisconsin. This land was right next to Terry Andrae State Park. It was named John Michael Kohler State Park. This was done to remember John Michael Kohler, who founded the company.

Over time, the park grew even larger. More land was bought, bringing the total area to almost 1,000 acres (405 hectares). Even though they have different names, both parks are managed together by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Friends of the Park

A group called "Friends of Kohler-Andrae State Park" was started in 1987. This group helps raise money for the park. They use the funds for things like nature programs and building projects, such as a cabin that is easy for people with disabilities to use.

Protecting the Park's Environment

North of the state park, the Kohler company has plans to build a golf course. This project involves clearing some forest and might affect important wetlands. Some local people and environmental groups are worried about how this could impact the park's delicate natural areas. Because of these concerns, the plans for the golf course have been changed and delayed.

Fun Activities at Kohler-Andrae State Park

There are many exciting things to do at Kohler-Andrae State Park all year round!

Water Activities on Lake Michigan

You can enjoy activities like fishing, boating, and swimming in Lake Michigan. The lake is home to many kinds of fish, including trout and salmon. Please note that there are no boat ramps or docks directly in the park.

Hiking and Biking Trails

The park has several trails perfect for hiking and biking:

• Creeping Juniper Nature Trail: This trail is half a mile long. It's a wooden walkway through the sand dunes near the Sanderling Nature Center.
• Woodland Dunes Nature Trail: This one-mile (1.6 km) trail goes through wooded sand dunes. Along the way, you'll find signs that tell you about the different trees. You can get to this trail from the campgrounds.
• Dunes Cordwalk: This wooden walkway runs parallel to Lake Michigan. It has a half-mile section to the north and a 1.5-mile (2.4 km) section to the south.
• Black River Trail: This 2.5-mile (4 km) grass trail is in the northwest part of the park. You can access it from County Highway V. It goes through open fields, forests, and evergreen trees. You can ride horses and mountain bikes on this trail.
• Black River Marsh Boardwalk: This quarter-mile boardwalk takes you through a wetland area. You can find it near campsite 48.

Winter Fun

The park is open all year, so you can visit even in winter!

• You can go winter camping at 28 campsites with electricity.
• Sledding and tobogganing are popular activities.
• You can also enjoy cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Camping and Facilities

The park has great facilities for visitors. These include a bathhouse, campgrounds, and well-maintained roads and trails.

• As of 2008, there were 105 family campsites and two group campsites. More family campsites were planned to open in 2009.
• One unique campsite is an authentic Native American tepee, which you can rent for a special camping experience!

Sanderling Nature Center

The Sanderling Nature Center is located in the northern part of Kohler-Andrae State Park. It's a great place to learn about the park's plants and animals.

The center also teaches about the natural history of the Great Lakes and the park's past. It is open from May through October. Inside, you can see live animals, watch presentations in an auditorium, and enjoy a view of Lake Michigan from the observation deck.