The Bridge That Finally Connected Lakeside Park

The other day I was out walking by the lighthouse at Lakeside Park, following the path along Lake Winnebago, and it reminded me just how nice the new pedestrian bridge is that connects the east and west sides of the park. If you haven’t taken the walk yet, it’s worth checking out. You can start near the lighthouse, follow the shoreline, cross the bridge over the Fond du Lac River, and end up on the west side of the park without ever leaving the park grounds.

Growing up, one thing that always kind of sucked was trying to get from one side of Lakeside Park to the other. If you were on a bike, you had to ride across town and deal with traffic just to make the trip. It wasn’t exactly convenient, and most people probably didn’t bother unless they had a reason to. Now it’s just a short walk across the bridge, and it makes the entire park feel connected in a way it never really did before.

One thing that is cool while walking across the bridge is being able to look out over the river, Supples Marsh, and Lake Winnebago all from one spot. It’s a different view of the park that we never had before. The bridge itself is simple, but it completely changed how people can explore the area. Whether you’re walking, biking, jogging, or just out enjoying the scenery, it’s become a destination all on its own.

It’s great to see investments like this being made in Fond du Lac. Lakeside Park has always been one of the city’s biggest attractions, and the bridge makes it easier than ever to enjoy both sides of the park in one trip. For me, it’s become one of my favorite walks in town, especially starting near the lighthouse and following the shoreline all the way across to the west side.