The Conservancy Plans New Trails And Pier: Sponsors Wanted

FRANKLIN, WI — New trails are coming soon to The Conservancy for Healing and Heritage in Franklin. Alongside the trails, The Conservancy hopes to build a new educational pier into Kopmeier Lake, but more funding is needed.

Executive Director Susan Rabe told Patch about the new projects in the works, and how the community can help create the educational pier.

The Conservancy for Healing and Heritage opened in 2003, but a majority of its resources such as the Reiman Healing Chapel in the Woods and the WE Energies Foundation Healing Garden have only been installed in the past five years, Rabe said.

Out of the 36 acres that The Conservancy seeks to preserve, about three are used. Rabe said that nature conservation is the main goal of the organization, and that the new amenities improve the wider mission of The Conservancy: to create a space for healing, comfort, peace and education.

New Trails, An Educational Pier And More

Construction has begun on the new trails, and Rabe estimated that that with lucky weather the trail project could be completed by this fall. The new trails are not open yet, though.

Sponsorship opportunities for the trail system are still available. Three benches can still be donated to the trails, according to Rabe. Direct donations can also be made.

The new trails are well on their way, Rabe said, but new funding will be required for The Conservancy's next project.

The Conservancy is planning to build a 100-foot-long pier into Lake Kopmeier that could bring new programs and a new spot to relax in nature.

At the end of the pier, a 360-square-foot deck would be constructed. Rabe said that the pier could be the branching out point for new courses. She hopes to introduce programs where kids can observe Lake Kopmeier's organisms under microscopes, catch things in the lake with nets and learn about fishing.

A spot for kayaks to be used in Lake Kopmeier could also be installed with the pier, Rabe said.

The pier would overall cost $100,000 but the non-profit Conservancy for Healing and Heritage has yet to find a solid sponsor or funding for it, Rabe said.

There are many ways that the community can help. Direct donations can be made to the non-profit, visitors can purchase merchandise and residents can even support the organization by purchasing tickets to an upcoming Milwaukee Milkmen game.

The Milkmen charity game will occur on August 28 at 6 p.m. The Conservancy set a goal of 200 tickets being sold for the game. Tickets are available online.

Afterward, Rabe said that she hopes a full boardwalk could be installed around the perimeter of the lake. With a price tag of what she estimates to be $1,000,000, the project will have to come at a later date, Rabe said.

Once the pier is constructed, The Conservancy is "done with a lowercase d," Rabe said. The Conservancy will be "Done" after the perimeter boardwalk is potentially created and new programs are introduced, Rabe said.

Current amenities at the nature preserve include the Reiman Healing Chapel in the Woods and the WE Energies Healing Garden. Two waterfalls in the healing garden provide a great spot to unwind and relax, Rabe said.

Many weddings, baptisms and other events have been held at the Reiman Healing chapel, according to Rabe.

Programs At The Conservancy For Healing And Heritage

Down the line, Rabe hopes that more programs such as forest bathing therapy, yoga, catch & release fishing, birdwatching, kids programs and more will be incorporated into the nature center.

The Conservancy already offers a full program catalog. Visitors can join in on learning about grief, how to deal with stress, painting, relaxation in nature and more.

One program called Healing with Painting allows visitors to "enjoy the beauty and peacefulness of the Conservancy and connect with your inner artist in the presence of the refreshing Healing Garden," the organization's website said.

Another current program from The Conservancy is the Soul Circle. The event offers a sit-down circle for people to talk about spirituality and perspective, The Conservancy website said.

Find out more about The Conservancy's many programs focused on therapy, healing, comfort and more online.

The Conservancy for Healing and Heritage is located in Franklin. Directions to the center are provided on the organization's website:

"The Conservancy can be accessed from the parking lot of the Ascension Medical building on 74th Street and West Rawson Avenue in Franklin, WI. Drive to the far end of the parking lot — the Reiman Healing Chapel is on the right. The Reiman Cancer Center is on the left."