Shiocton, Wisconsin
1 mile
Where land, cultures, and reflection meet.
Navarino Grace Trail®
Navarino Grace Trail®
A storied mile of bridges, streams, and steady boulders that leads the community back to its roots through shared discovery and the wisdom of the woods.
About This Trail
The trails in Shawano County represent the gold standard of community integration. Here, the Grace Trail® isn't just a destination; it is a shared social fabric. It bridges the gap between generations—bringing local school children into the woods for a "developmental reset" while providing a space for elders and neighbors to reconnect with the world and each other.
By honoring the region's indigenous history through the Menominee language and mobilizing a "village" of volunteers, these trails prove that we are at our best when we are outside, moving together. Whether it’s through the grassroots leadership of a "Trailblazer" like Matty Mathison or the simple camaraderie of a group walk, the Wisconsin trails show that connecting with ourselves and our neighbors is the most vital human work we can do.proving that growth unfolds in every season.
ACCESSIBILITY
• Set within the Navarino Nature Center
• Mile-long groomed loop
•. Natural walking surfaces
• On-site parking
• Suitable for all ages + abilities
AMENITIES
• Interactive QR codes
• Locally crafted Leopold benches
• Signage kiosks
• Ongoing stewardship trail additions
• Engraved boulders
LANDSCAPE
• Varied terrain
• Ecological diversity
• Expansive vistas of a 15,000-acre preserve
EXPERIENCE
• Educational integration
• A site for retreats
• Total immersion in nature
POWERED BY COMMUNITY
Each Grace Trail becomes a reflection of the community that surrounds it. While the questions remain the same, what unfolds along the path is shaped by the people who walk it—through shared moments, personal reflections, and the ways individuals choose to show up
for themselves and one another.
The Wisconsin Spirit
In Wisconsin, service is a way of life. The Navarino Grace Trail® was built through grassroots leadership, thousands of volunteer hours, and a $20,000 community-led fundraising effort. High school students groom the paths, church groups lend their hands, and local schools utilize the trail as a premier outdoor classroom.
Here, grace isn't just installed—it is lived. By featuring trilingual signage in Menominee, English, and Spanish, the trail celebrates the diverse cultures that share this land, ensuring that every walker feels a sense of belonging.
A LEGACY OF PIONEERING LEADERSHIP
The Navarino Nature Center Grace Trail® is a prime example of what happens when vision meets action. This project was spearheaded by Janis "Matty" Mathison, a legendary educator and the 2026 AARP Wisconsin Volunteer of the Year.
Matty’s leadership—from developing erosion-control systems for trail bridges to organizing the "Trail Tenders" volunteer group—proves that a Grace Trail® is a catalyst for community excellence.
This trail serves as a blueprint for how civic organizations can leverage "Small Dollar, Big Impact" grants to create lasting emotional infrastructure and foster a true sense of camaraderie.
LIFE ALONG THE TRAIL
Along the way, simple moments begin to stand out—what you notice, what you feel, and what stays with you.
HELD BY
COMMUNITY
FOOTSTEPS
& LIFE
Winding through the groomed trails of the Navarino Nature Center, this Grace Trail crosses bridges, follows streams, and moves through varied woodland terrain. Walked by families, students, elders, and visitors alike, it invites reflection at every pace — from quiet solitude to shared discovery.
In Wisconsin, service is not an idea — it is a way of life. Built through grassroots leadership, strong civic support, and thousands of volunteer hours, this trail reflects a culture that shows up. High school students groom the paths. Church groups lend their hands. Schools bring classes to walk and learn.
TALES FROM THE TRAIL
Beyond the Solitary Walk
Made Meaningful Here
While many come to the trail for quiet reflection, in Wisconsin, the trail has become a site of communal discovery. You see it in the high school students who maintain the paths as an act of service, and in the "Trail Tenders" who treat every bridge and boulder as a gift to the next walker.
It’s about the "Aha!" moment when a student spots a hidden metal animal, or the shared silence of two friends sitting on a Leopold bench. In Navarino and Alpine Shores, the trail reminds us that as humans, we are wired for connection—to the land, to the ancient languages of the past, and to the person walking beside us. These trails don’t just lead into the woods; they lead us back to each other.
Shared Beyond the Trail
Local news features, video documentaries, and statewide awards have carried the story of Navarino far beyond Shawano County—inspiring a new generation of volunteers and trail licensees.
FOUNDING PARTNERS
The Navarino Nature Center Grace Trail was made possible through the support of local partners and community members who contributed funding, resources, expertise, craftsmanship, and ongoing stewardship. Their collaboration brought the trail to life and continues to strengthen its impact for all who visit and care for this space.
With deep gratitude to the individuals and organizations whose support, generosity, and stewardship helped bring this trail to life: