What's Inside:

• Spirit Lake Connector Trail
• Mequon Police Department Adds Drone Team
• MT Trails Update
• Ways to Give
• Welcome New Legacy Club Members
• Thank You, Dan Gannon
• Check Presented to Mequon-Thiensville Little League/Mequon Heat
• Accepting Nominations for Pillars of the Community

Spirit Lake Connector Trail is OPEN!

On August 21st, the Mequon-Thiensville Community Foundation proudly celebrated the opening of the Spirit Lake Connector Trail—a long-awaited link between Pukaite Woods in Rotary Park (City of Mequon) and Spirit Lake Preserve (Restoring Lands: A Wisconsin Land Trust).

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, MTCF raised nearly $50,000 to make this project possible. “The Spirit Lake Connector Trail is a powerful example of what happens when community, conservation, and collaboration come together” commented Carryn Sami, Chief Philanthropy Officer at Restoring Lands. “We have not only connected two natural areas—we’ve created a lasting resource for exploration and ecological stewardship.”

At the event, guests enjoyed an open-house style evening with guided hikes along the new connector trail and through recently restored wetlands, while learning more about the incredible conservation work being done right here in Mequon. A book entitled “Stories of Spirit Lake” was distributed at the event that featured stories about the land and illustrations by local artists.

This new connector is more than a trail; it’s a gift of access, beauty, and nature for our whole community.

MTCF extends a heartfelt thank you to our donors, Restoring Lands, Wisconsin Wetlands Association, and the City of Mequon for bringing this vision to life.

Pictured left to right: Officer Moertl and Officer Kilpatrick.

The Mequon Police Department (MPD) has recently established a Drone Team, made possible by a generous donation from the Mequon Women’s Club with additional support from the Mequon-Thiensville Community Foundation. The addition of the drone team and two drones significantly enhances MPD’s ability to safely and efficiently respond to a variety of public safety needs. Drones will be used for:

• Search and rescue operations
• Crime scene documentation
• Accident reconstruction
• Tactical support in high-risk situations
• Monitoring large-scale public events

These tools provide a valuable aerial perspective that increases situational awareness for officers and command staff, improves operational planning, and allows MPD to gather critical information in real-time—often without putting personnel in harm’s way. The drone program is a key step forward in their commitment to innovative, community-focused policing.

All members of the Drone Team have earned their FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification, ensuring they are fully trained and authorized to operate unmanned aircraft systems per federal regulations. Drone Team members include Sergeant Grenfell, Officer Kilpatrick, Officer Schossow, Officer Moertl, Officer Ballard, Officer Brown, Officer Hipps, and Officer Schull.

The past six months have been a whirlwind of progress, and the MT Trails Foundation is thrilled to share a major milestone: The final design for the Highland Road Bike and Pedestrian Trail has officially been submitted and approved by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) and the City of Mequon. MT Trails anticipates approval by WisDOT of the final construction contractor by the end of October, with construction to begin Spring 2026.

What Comes Next? Your Support!

Thanks to generous donors through MTCF, the design and construction funds needed to build the trail have been raised. Soon, this path will connect Rotary Park, the Ozaukee Interurban Trail, and the Mequon-Thiensville Town Center — offering bikers, walkers, and runners a safe, scenic way to get around.

But it’s not done yet.

Every planning hurdle has been cleared. Your help is needed to cross the finish line! To fulfill the City of Mequon’s Right of Way Agreement, MT Trails must still raise a $100,000 endowment to cover long-term maintenance — ensuring the trail is plowed, cleaned, and cared for well into the future. 

How Can You Help Right Now? 

Donate to fund the required Highland Road maintenance endowment (be sure to mention it is for the “Bike Path/MT Trails”).

Every dollar makes a difference - and every supporter matters. Share this with friends, family, and neighbors so that together, we can help build a safe and scenic trail connecting Rotary Park, the Ozaukee Interurban Trail, and the Mequon-Thiensville Town Center for all to enjoy!

For more information, go to https://mtcfgives.org/mttrails/

Joining the MTCF Legacy Club can be achieved in many ways. One way is to pledge an amount of $10,000 or greater over the course of a few years. A recent Legacy Club member chose to pledge $2,500 over four years to help support and sustain the many projects that enhance the quality of life in Mequon and Thiensville.

Membership entails making a gift, now or in the future, which you can designate to a specific project or let the foundation determine where it is needed most. To qualify for the Legacy Club, pledges need to be $10,000 or greater and be received within five years.

For more information on becoming a Legacy Club member, please email us at info@mtcfgives.org.

MTCF is excited to announce that we continue to add new members to our Legacy Club. Help us welcome:

Philip and Kristina Eckert

Frederick Derr and Dr. Nina Look

Philip and Kristina Eckert

Frederick Derr and Dr. Nina Look

Thank You Dan Gannon

Serving MTCF since 2022

The MTCF Board of Directors would like to say a heartfelt thank you to Dan Gannon as he steps down from his role on the Board. Dan began helping out on our Pillars of the Community committee in 2021 and joined the MTCF Board of Directors in 2022. With Dan’s background in banking, he supported the board and MTCF’s efforts by acquiring sponsorships and giving expert advice while serving on the Finance Committee. Dan will remain involved with MTCF by serving on the Donor Relations Committee.

Dan, we thank you for helping to enhance MTCF's mission.

MTCF Board Member Jim Button, Board President Lori Lorenz, and Executive Director Deb Turk present a check to TMYBA Board President Jennifer Wirth during practice at Rotary Park.

 Nominations Are Being Accepted For 2026 Pillars of the Community

Nominations due by October 15, 2025

MTCF is accepting nominations for the 2026 Pillars of the Community award. This annual award recognizes a member of the Mequon-Thiensville community who has had a significant and lasting impact on making Mequon and Thiensville great places to live, work, and play. MTCF rotates between honoring someone from the business community, a municipal leader, and a community leader/volunteer.

The 2026 honoree will be chosen from the business community.

Past business community recipients include:

• Andrew Petzold (Concord Development)
• Jim Kacmarcik (Kapco)
• Christopher and Daniel Doerr (LEESON Electric)
• The Sommer Family (Sommer's Automotive)

For consideration, candidates shall meet the following criteria:

• Work, live, or own a business in Mequon and/or Thiensville.
• Has had a significant and lasting impact on making Mequon and/or Thiensville a great place to live, work, and play.

Nominations should be emailed to info@mtcfgives.org by October 15, 2025, and include a detailed description of the ways in which the person has made a lasting impact on our community.