WISCONSIN RAPIDS – The City of Wisconsin Rapids has earned Bird City Wisconsin’s High Flyer status for the 8th year in a row. The City has been a Bird City for nine years in total, first earning High Flyer status in their second year.

Bird City Wisconsin Rapids leads the effort and partners with the City of Wisconsin Rapids, local businesses and residents to meet the criteria for Bird City. Criteria includes demonstrated sustainability efforts in the city; limiting threats to birds; public education; and a resolution naming World Migratory Bird Day. This year, World Migratory Bird Day will be celebrated in Wisconsin Rapids on September 12.

A few of Bird City Wisconsin Rapids’ recent projects include a partnership with Lincoln High School to develop a walking trail and prairie in the woodlot behind their playing fields; sponsoring the Wisconsin Prairie Chicken Festival, which is scheduled for April 17; and improvements to the rain garden by City Hall. They are currently planning a summer program with the City of Wisconsin Rapids Parks and Recreation Department to teach children how to bird watch and use binoculars.

To connect with the local chapter of Bird City, contact birdcitywisconsinrapids@gmail.com. Learn more about Bird City Wisconsin Rapids at: birdcitywisconsin.org/bird-city/wisconsinrapids

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – The City of Wisconsin Rapids has been named a 2020 Tree City USA® by the Arbor Day Foundation in honor of its commitment to effective urban forest management.

Wisconsin Rapids achieved Tree City USA recognition by meeting the program's four requirements: a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

"Tree City USA communities see the impact an urban forest has in a community first hand," said Dan Lambe, president of the Arbor Day Foundation. "The trees being planted and cared for by Wisconsin Rapids are ensuring that generations to come will enjoy to a better quality of life. Additionally, participation in this program brings residents together and creates a sense of civic pride, whether it's through volunteer engagement or public education."

According to the Arbor Day Foundation, communities worldwide are facing issues with air quality, water resources, personal health and well-being, energy use, and protection from extreme heat and flooding. The Arbor Day Foundation recently launched the Time for Trees initiative to address these issues, with unprecedented goals of planting 100 million trees in forests and communities and inspiring 5 million tree planters by 2022. With Tree City USA recognition, Wisconsin Rapids has demonstrated a commitment to effective urban forest management and doing its part to help address these challenges for Wisconsin Rapids residents now and in the future.

“Natural resources create beauty and recreation opportunities to residents and visitors, alike. The City’s urban canopy, wooded trails and lush neighborhoods show what an impact trees make in a community. The Tree City USA designation is a symbol of our Park & Recreation Department’s dedication to natural resources and the public’s support of forest sustainability. Thank you to everyone who played a part in securing this designation for another year,” said Mayor Shane Blaser.
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More information on the program is available at arborday.org/TreeCityUSA.

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – The City of Wisconsin Rapids announces the reopening of City buildings. Beginning Monday, April 5, the City will allow normal public access to all departments in City Hall, Centralia Center, Lowell Center, Wisconsin Rapids Community Media, City Fire Stations, City Garage and Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Depending on staffing, some departments may be closed during the 12 – 1 p.m. lunch period. If you plan to visit during that time frame, it is recommended that you contact the department in advance to ensure staff availability.

Visitors are asked to follow health guidelines provided by the Wood County Health Department. Please practice physical distancing, wear a face mask, clean your hands regularly and stay home if you are sick. Most departments offer options for conducting your business by phone, mail and/or email, if you prefer.

Learn more by contacting the department directly. You will find their contact information in the City Directory, located on the front page of our website at: wirapids.org.

​For general inquiries related to these changes, you may contact the Mayor’s Office at mayor@wirapids.org or 715-421-8216.

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – The City of Wisconsin Rapids has developed a new interactive Street Closure Map. In response to common questions about utility repairs and street closures, the new page will map street closures and projects.

Available on the home page of the City’s website wirapids.org by clicking the road work icon, current closures and upcoming planned projects will be shown on the map. There is some road work that may not be shown on the application, including closures that do not block a low volume local street or rolling maintenance operations.

Zooming in on the map will narrow the list of projects. Clicking on a project narrative will result in the map zooming to that project.

The Street Closure Map is a work in progress, so if you have suggestions or comments please contact the Director of Public Works, Joe Terry, at 715-421-8255 or email jterry@wirapids.org.

The Street Closure Map compliments another municipal GIS (Geographic Information Systems) tool, which has been available for several years and is also undergoing updates. The City Viewer Lite shows compost sites, garbage routes, trails and paths, parks, polling places, aldermanic districts, developable City property, DNR wetland inventory, FEMA flood zones, zoning districts and more.

You can view this information both city-wide and narrowed into a particular address or parcel. You can find this tool at: gis.wirapids.org/CityViewerLite/.

​For more information about City Viewer Lite, please visit the Maps and GIS webpage at wirapids.org/maps-gis or call them directly at 715-421-8252.

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – To further prevent the spread of COVID-19, the City of Wisconsin Rapids City Hall and other City buildings will limit public access, with a few exceptions.
 
All City departments except two service windows will be CLOSED to the public. The limitations will take effect on Wednesday, Nov. 11, and remain in place until further notice.
 
The Municipal Court Clerk’s office window and the Police Department's service counter window on the first floor of City Hall will remain open. If you need to speak to an officer, the intercom system will be available for use inside the city hall foyer.
 
Additionally, City Fire Stations, the City Garage, the Wastewater Treatment Plant, Centralia Center, Lowell Center and Wisconsin Rapids Community Media will be closed to the public.
 
City staff continues to conduct City business, with an emphasis on public interaction via phone, email and mail. City services such as garbage and recycling pick-up will continue uninterrupted.
 
For more information about how specific departments are handling public business, please visit the City’s COVID-19 information page at wirapids.org/coronavirus or contact the department directly by phone or email.