Those who love the great outdoors will find ample room to play, bike and golf near Freedom, Wisconsin, in the northeast part of the state. The town's 6,000 residents are spread out over rural and farm lands, as well as in more developed subdivisions, anchored by a historic downtown. The town cherishes the name of Freedom, as it was chosen by James Andrew Jackson, an ex-slave who was the town's first inhabitant. When the townspeople in the 1830s wanted to name the town Jackson, the man declared that it should be called Freedom, because that's where he received his freedom.
Parks and Recreation
- Three small parks serve Freedom with recreation that includes swings, playground equipment and a small baseball or softball field at Rickert Park. You'll also find the Freedom Historical Society building at Rickert Park. At Citizen's Park, there's a mini-park with a gazebo and benches for meeting and talking. The largest park in town, the VFW Memorial Park includes four softball diamonds, a baseball diamond, soccer fields, a combination tennis/basketball court, a sand volleyball court, open and covered playground areas, and a skate park area. If you want to play off-leash with your dog, head to the De Pere Dog Park, about 8 miles northeast of Freedom.
The Fox River Trail
- Cyclists, equestrians, inline skaters and joggers share the Fox River Trail, a 25-mile path that winds along the river along a former rail corridor. The closest access is less than 20 miles from Freedom, on Midway Road. The trail starts in Green Bay, where approximately 11 miles of the trail is asphalt-paved, then changes to a limestone surface. Trail users can take a time-out in Allouez and tackle the outdoor fitness challenge course. Pets on leashes also are allowed on the trail. Horseback riders and pet owners are asked to pick up after their animals. In winter, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are popular activities on the limestone portion of the trail in Brown and Calumet counties; this path connects to other county snowmobile trails.
The Great Outdoors
- Explore the great outdoors and get back to nature at two state areas that promote birding, cross-country skiing and hiking (there is no designated trail), hunting, trapping and wildlife viewing. The two closest areas include LaSage Bottoms, about 15 miles west of Freedom and Mack Wildlife Area, about 10 miles northeast. Bring your own water and food as there are no public facilities at these parks and parking lots are not plowed during winter. These natural communities harbor land, plants and forests as they would have been before modern urban development.
Fore!
- Golfers can tee off at two public courses in the area, including Irish Waters in Freedom. The 18-hole course has wide-open fairways, and water comes into play on only a couple of shots. The club has a driving range, full-service bar and restaurant, plus a pro shop. At Mid Vallee Golf course in De Pere, water comes into play on numerous holes, and while the fairways are flat, you'll deal with trees on the perimeter of most holes. There are 27 holes, a 25-station driving range, a putting and chipping area, and private and group lessons. The clubhouse has a full bar and grill, plus two banquet areas.
