While visiting the Plover area, you’re never far from a trail for biking or walking. One of these is the Schrader Connection, a perfect companion for those wanting to do a short walk or those with smaller children. It’s flat and easy walking.
It’s a newer trail, having been opened in 2019 and named after Tom Schrader, the retired parks director for Stevens Point who was a tireless advocate for both this connection and the larger trails network.
The Schrader Connection transformed a 1.7-mile stretch of a former Canadian National railroad line into a crushed-stone path that provides a shorter, pleasant route between two segments of the Green Circle Trail – the area’s crown jewel trail system – as well as a useful off-road route from the town of Whiting into southern Stevens Point.
The southern end of the trail in Whiting connects with the Paper Mill Trail segment of the Green Circle Trail, which forms the southern end of a nearly 30-mile loop around the area.
The Schrader Connection heads north along the former rail corridor, passing through neighborhoods and newer subdivisions, and comes to an end at Bliss Avenue in Stevens Point, just a short block south from the River Pines Trail segment of the Green Circle Trail.
Bikes that can handle the crushed-stone surface, as well as walkers and joggers, can take full advantage of this quicker off-road route that avoids having to follow the winding path of the Wisconsin River.
On the northern end of the trail, parking is available at the Stevens Point Dog Park (601 Mason Street).