Golf course, adjacent property branded as Heal Creek Recreation Area

It took approximately one minute on Monday evening, Feb. 9 for the Rhinelander Common Council to formally designate the city-owned Northwood Golf Club and the adjacent Heal Creek property the “Heal Creek Recreation Area.”
According to city administrator Patrick Reagan, this item was added to the council’s agenda at the suggestion of Mayor Kris Hanus.
“This would allow for the branding of this area to be a 365 day recreation area,” Reagan wrote in a memo to the alderpersons. “Under this proposal, the golf course would remain “Northwoods Golf Club.”
The motion passed unanimously with no discussion.
With the golf course included, the newly named Heal Creek Recreation Area spans about 700 acres.

Dr. Lee Swank donated the 416-acre Heal Creek property to the city in 2022. Since that time, city officials have been focused on developing it as a silent sports recreational area that includes a network of recreational trails.
The Heal Creek Dog Dash & Winter Festival is held there annually. This year’s event is scheduled for Feb. 21, 22. The public is invited to watch the dogsled races while enjoying specialty brews provided by Rhinelander Brewing Company. There will be 8,6,4 and 2-dog sled races as well as skijor, one-dog bikejor and juniors.
Races start at 10 a.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. on Sunday. Live music will be provided by Will Young and there will be snowshoeing and sledding opportunities as well as kid’s mutt runs. The mutt runs are an opportunity for any kid to try dogsledding. A sled and dog will be provided for kids to test out their mushing skills. For more information, visit the Heal Creek Dog Dash Facebook page.