Michael Skupniewicz, “Wisconsin's first Polish settler”, who came to the state in 1846, likely had a similar view of this beautiful land. In honor of this Polish leader from Racine, this restored prairie is not just a passive place, but an interactive area for reflection, conversation, and appreciation of this valuable land type.

With generous contributions from the Fund for Lake Michigan, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Racine Community Foundation this part of Smolenski Park now re-hosts the native species and ecosystem functions that went hidden for more than a century.

In honor of Walter Smolenski and his wishes to create a natural area that also pays homage to Racine’s Polish heritage, Polish words of inspiration will eventually be engraved on the benches for encouragement and reflection.

So now and tomorrow, gather at this circle and speak one at a time to all members of your “council”. Have a picnic with your family here. Hold a Board meeting here. Catch up with some friends here. Above all, enjoy your time in this rare, natural space. Reflect on this unique environment where people (and lots of native species) want to be.

Can you imagine being one of the first settlers to Racine County and seeing this prairie for the first time? What was in bloom? What wildlife was present? How did the ecosystem function?

The newly restored Smolenski Park prairie takes us back in time – and answers these questions.

After settlement, much like most prairies in southeastern Wisconsin, the land was converted to farmland. Farmers put food on our tables and the new nation grew.

In 1993, Walter Smolenski, a prominent Polish American in Racine, donated the land to the Village of Mount Pleasant. In 2002, the Village of Mount Pleasant celebrated the grand opening of the recreational and passive areas of the park. In 2018, Root-Pike WIN and the Village of Mount Pleasant began converting an area in the park – which was fallow farmland – back to prairie. Today, a restored prairie is a very rare land type in our watersheds.

In 2022, work began on designing and constructing a place of rest and conversation – the “Council Circle” or “Ring”. As part of different cultures from Native Americans to the Vikings, this circle acts not only as a resting spot but also promotes eye-to-eye conversation with no one person being the leader of the dialogue. Everyone in the circle has an equal voice.

Do you want to know more or get involved in our restoration revolution?

Contact us today at info@rootpikewin.org