About Pietrek Park

Joe Pietrek Jr., the only son of Joe, Sr. and Emily Pietrek, was an active 4-H Club member in Trempealeau County. He went on to become the University Extension 4-H and Youth Agent in Clark County. He served there 11 years. During his short lifetime he had requested his family to not sell the land that straddled the Trempealeau River, but to preserve it as a wildlife area.

On December 10, 1970, Joe Pietrek Jr. was killed at age 35 in a two vehicle accident near Neillsville WI. After his death, in the summer of 1971, Joe, Sr. and Emily Pietrek contacted Ray Shanklin, the Trempealeau County 4-H and Youth Agent, to offer the 100 acres to the county. Mr. Shanklin saw the potential of this land as a permanent 4-H and Youth educational group camping facility.

In June 1971, before any development had been done in the park, over 100 4-H members and leaders attended a 4-H camp. Mr. Shanklin presented to the Agriculture and Extension Committee of the Trempealeau County Board of Supervisors, the offer of the Pietrek family to make the land a lasting memorial to their son. The Committee was very appreciative of such a generous gift.

The Committee then approached the County Board who formally accepted the land and designated the Parks Committee to be in charge.

In November 1971, the County Board appropriated $5,000 toward the development of the new Joe Pietrek Jr. Memorial County Park. The Parks Committee was full of ideas and development began. A roadway, parking lot, water pump, two outhouses, nature trail, security light and a 30 by 30 foot shelter were installed. From this meager beginning, the Joe Pietrek Jr. Memorial County Park is what it is today.