Sept. 16, 2026
Agreement, supported by the City of Viroqua, creates a path forward for continued public access and a renewed community partnership
VIROQUA, Wis. – After a year of negotiating, listening, and learning, the VFW and Vernon Trails, with the support of the City of Viroqua, announced a collaborative agreement that will keep the VFW property open and accessible to the community.
The Running-Johnson-Ray Post VFW Post 3032 and Vernon Trails have entered into a two-year lease agreement. Under the agreement, Vernon Trails will continue to maintain and manage the recreational use of the property, while the VFW will continue its longstanding tradition of generously making its privately owned land available for public enjoyment.
For decades, the VFW property has been an important community gathering place and outdoor recreation resource, providing opportunities for hiking, winter fat biking, disc golf, winter recreation, and simply enjoying the outdoors.
The new agreement recognizes both the importance of continued public access and the financial realities of owning and maintaining the property. Over the past year, the VFW has been transparent about its financial needs and the necessity of finding a sustainable path forward. The potential sale of the property was one option considered as the VFW worked to address those needs.
The two-year agreement offers a different path forward—one that gives the VFW, Vernon Trails, the City of Viroqua, and the broader community an opportunity to work together and demonstrate that continued public access can be supported in a sustainable way.
The agreement concludes nearly a year of negotiations
As we previously reported, facing severe financial strain from aging facilities the VFW post began considering a land sale in late 2025 to cover its operating costs. VFW representatives explained that the local board members are in their 70s and 80s, and they feared that if the local post dissolved due to a lack of funds, the charter and its land would revert to the state or national VFW organization, leaving the local community with nothing.
After previous purchase and lease proposals broke down, the VFW listed the property on the commercial real estate market in late March 2026 for $760,000. The listing sparked a final push from outdoor advocates and newly elected Mayor Krista Browne to secure a public-private partnership and save the green space from private subdivision development.
A Renewed Partnership
“We’re glad the community can continue to enjoy the property, and we ask everyone to use it responsibly and respect the land,” said Keith Yahn Commander VFW Viroqua Post 3032 “We appreciate Vernon Trails and the work their volunteers do to care for the property. We also encourage people who enjoy the land to stop in, have a meal, and support VFW events. That support makes a difference.”
Alycann Taylor, Volunteer Executive Director of Vernon Trails, described the agreement as an opportunity for a fresh start.
“This is a very positive step for the future.” Taylor said. “These next two years give all of us an opportunity to come together to show support that both the VFW and Vernon Trails need to maintain this beautiful property and keep it accessible for everyone to enjoy. We are incredibly grateful for the VFW’s willingness to continue this partnership and for the support of the City of Viroqua in helping us find a path forward.”
Both organizations recognize that the long-term success of the agreement will require more than simply maintaining trails and recreational facilities. It will require active community support.
Enjoy the property and support the VFW
The VFW and Vernon Trails encourage everyone who enjoys the property to also support the VFW organization that owns it.
Those who hike, winter fat bike, play disc golf, or otherwise recreate on the property are encouraged to stop at the VFW restaurant for a meal or beverage, attend VFW events and fundraisers, and find other ways to support the organization throughout the year.
“The VFW has made an extraordinary contribution to this community by allowing the public to enjoy its land for so many years,” Taylor said. “Using this beautiful property and supporting the VFW should go hand in hand. We hope people will recreate here and then walk through the VFW’s doors, have a meal, attend an event, and show their appreciation in a very tangible way.”
The agreement also provides an opportunity for the community to recognize something that can sometimes be overlooked: public access to privately owned recreational land is not guaranteed. It is made possible through partnerships, financial support, volunteer work, and the generosity of landowners.
For the VFW and Vernon Trails, the next two years are an opportunity to strengthen those relationships and demonstrate what can be accomplished when the community works together.
“This is a new beginning,” Taylor said. “Rather than focusing on the challenges of the past year, we want to focus on what comes next. We have two years to show what this property means to our community and what we can accomplish together to support both the VFW and continued public access.”
The VFW and Vernon Trails extended their appreciation to the City of Viroqua, volunteers, supporters, donors, community members, and everyone who contributed to reaching this agreement.
Both organizations said they look forward to welcoming the community to the property, and beginning this next chapter together.
Add comment