WDNR Monthly Update: Wisconsin Point Visitor Use Assessment
By: Alisa Von Hagel and Daniela Mansbach, Center for Research and Evaluation Services
The City of Superior is working with LegacyWorks Group and UW–Superior’s Center for Research and Evaluation Services to better understand how people use Wisconsin Point. This project is called the Wisconsin Point Visitor Use Assessment (VUA), and it began in 2024. This 15-minute survey asks visitors to share how they connect to Wisconsin Point and why this area is important to them.
The information collected via the Wisconsin Point VUA will be incorporated into the Wisconsin Point Resiliency Plan along with ecological and geophysical (sediment, wave, bathymetry) data. Ultimately, this information will be used to identify and evaluate design alternatives for improving coastal resiliency in the face of climate change impacts that are currently affecting, or are predicted to affect (eg; erosion, rising water levels), Wisconsin Point.
What We’re Learning So Far
The Wisconsin Point VUA continues to collect community input on the current usage of Wisconsin Point, including the activities experienced while at the Point and the importance of this place to the community. In order to learn about the usage and role of the Point, this project uses two data sources:
Traffic pattern data – to asses daily and monthly traffic to and from Wisconsin Point
A community survey – to learn how people use the Point and what the place means to them.
Graphic: Monthly traffic patterns to Wisconsin Point
Traffic Patterns Findings
Visits are highest on weekends and during the summer months.
These patterns have stayed fairly steady over the last seven years.
There was a noticeable increase in visits during 2020–2021, when more people were spending time outdoors during the pandemic.
Community Survey
People of all ages, races, and backgrounds visit Wisconsin Point.
The most common activities at the Point include walking and hiking, beachcombing, ship watching, wildlife viewing, and dog walking.
The survey reveals that Wisconsin Point is an incredibly valuable resource for many in the community, and that many feel deeply connected to it.
Image: Quotation from a Wisconsin Point visitor
We Want to Hear From You
If you have not completed the survey yet, there is still time! We would love to hear about your experiences and feelings about the Point.
Scan the QR code or click here to complete the survey.
Help ensure your voice is heard concerning the future of Wisconsin Point.
