Save Our Rustic Road- www.saveourrusticroad.org

Help us save Rustic Road 60, known as Vilas County Highway K.

Please help us prevent the destruction of the tree tunnels and the natural beauty of the only Rustic Road in Vilas County. Although Wisconsin's Rustic Road designation is supposed to protect it, the Vilas County Highway Department has already launched the initial brushing phase of the plan that will result in thousands of mature trees lining the road being cut down.

The Highway Department long term plans include:

The Highway Department's plans will surely destroy the rustic character of the road, the very thing that makes it so special.

What’s at Stake? - Rustic Road 60 captures the rugged spirit of the Northwoods. It is a winding stretch of road, nestled in the Northern Highlands State Forest that features tree tunnels, spectacular views of area lakes and historic sites that provide a snapshot into the past. A favorite of locals and a draw for tourists, it has been featured in books, magazines and even television programs.

Our Efforts to Save the Rustic Road – After learning of the Highway Department’s Plan, my wife and I created a website, www.saveourrusticroad.org and Facebook Group (“@Save our Rustic Road”) to bring this issue to the attention of the community. We created and printed informational flyers, yard signs, and 4’x6’ banners to give visibility to the Highway Department’s plan. This has been an all-consuming and a very expensive mission for us, but very worthwhile. In order to continue, however, we need your help.

Help us Fund this Effort! We need a total of $5,000 to continue and expand our community and media outreach efforts to increase the community pressure on the Highway Department. The funds would allow us to do the following:

• Purchase 100 more yard signs

• Purchase 10 more 4’ x 6’ banners

• Distribute 2000 color postcards

• Obtain records from the Highway Department, the County Highway Committee and the Wisconsin Rustic Roads Board on the Highway Department’s plans and the Rustic Road Board’s guidance and restrictions on highway departments for road maintenance and improvements

• Promote media events to increase press coverage of the issue.

Any excess funds raised will be donated to Save our Rustic Road, Inc., a non-profit corporation that we are in the process of forming. Save Our Rustic Road's mission is:

“to preserve, promote and educate the public about the natural beauty, rustic character, history, natural vegetation, lakes, streams, and wildlife on Rustic Road 60 while promoting the establishment, maintenance or improvement of public hiking trails and creating events to promote the public’s experience and enjoyment of the Rustic Road.”

The History of the Road - Besides the rustic beauty of the Rustic Road, the road has numerous historical sites that offer a glimpse into the past, thus allowing you to travel back in time to the way the Northwoods used to be. Remnants of the areas logging industry roots abound. A replica Star Lake Train Depot captures the spirit of the Hiawatha train that once rolled through town. The Frederickson’s Minnow Shop gives a glimpse of the days of fishermen from the resort era. Let us not forget that Ballard Lake, along Highway K, is the real home of the HODAG, a monstrous creature that brought scientists from the Smithsonian out to investigate. Further down the road is the home of Aqualand, a musky-themed amusement park from the 1950s. All these historic sites are featured along the Rustic Road.

Please help us continue to fight the County and work with them to amend their plans.

Please support Save Our Rustic Road.