New Boardwalk Built by Promega Opens Public Access to Nevin Springs Wetland Along Capital City State Trail in Fitchburg

Public amenity gives community access to rare artesian wetland

MADISON, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A new boardwalk along the Capital City State Trail in Fitchburg, WI is now open, offering access to the Nevin Springs wetland, a natural spring ecosystem that was previously out of reach. Promega Corporation built and funded the $1 million structure as a public amenity.

The 720-foot boardwalk extends from the Capital City State Trail into a natural wetland area that includes rare artesian springs. Lookout points offer visitors close-up views of the ecosystem. The boardwalk is accessible on foot or by bicycle via the Capital City State Trail; its location is shown on this map.

Conservation and Community

Promega has a long-standing commitment to land stewardship and employee wellbeing, reflected in the more than 225 acres of green space on the Promega corporate campus, where walking trails connect employees to the natural landscape daily. The Nevin Springs wetland and boardwalk sit adjacent to that campus, extending these benefits to the broader community for the first time. The boardwalk was constructed using helical pier foundations and elevated design to minimize wetland disturbance, with durable Accoya decking chosen for longevity and sustainability.

To ensure the land's permanent protection, Promega has placed a conservation covenant on the parcel's title, ensuring it will never be developed. Read more about the boardwalk project, the history of the Nevin Springs area, and Promega's land stewardship in this Promega Connections blog post.

Dedication Event: July 15

Promega will host a dedication event on July 15, 2026, at 3 p.m. at the Nevin Springs Boardwalk. Promega founder and CEO Bill Linton and Fitchburg Mayor Julia Arata-Fratta will officially dedicate the boardwalk. Media are welcome to attend. Attendees are encouraged to dress for outdoor conditions and protect against insects. The event will be held rain or shine, with the exception of extreme heat or severe weather.

Multimedia Portal

Photos and drone videos of the boardwalk and surrounding area are available here. Media are welcome to use these materials. The portal will be updated after the July 15 event.

Visiting the Nevin Springs Boardwalk

The boardwalk is located along the Capital City State Trail on the section between Fish Hatchery Road and Syene Road in Fitchburg. The nearest access points to the boardwalk are:

• Gunflint Trail Park (5420 Gunflint Trail, Fitchburg, WI 53711): A public trail on the west side of the park connects to the Capital City State Trail. From that intersection, follow the trail east 0.5 miles to reach the boardwalk.
• Syene Road Parking Lot: From the Capital City State Trail Syene Road parking lot, follow the trail west 1.2 miles to reach the boardwalk.
• Trail Map: Available here.

Note: A Wisconsin State Trail Pass is required for anyone age 16 or older who bikes, skates or roller-skis on this section of the Capital City State Trail. Walking does not require a pass. Passes are available from the DNR online, at the kiosk at the Syene Road parking lot and at other self-service pay stations on the trail. The boardwalk is fully ADA accessible.

About Promega Corporation

Promega Corporation is a leader in providing innovative solutions and technical support to the life sciences industry. The company’s portfolio of over 4,000 products supports a range of life science work across areas such as cell biology; DNA, RNA and protein analysis; drug development; human identification and molecular diagnostics. These tools and technologies have grown in their application over the last 45 years and are used today by scientists and technicians in labs for academic and government research, forensics, pharmaceuticals, clinical diagnostics and veterinary, agricultural and environmental testing. Promega is headquartered in Madison, WI, USA with branches in 16 countries and over 50 global distributors. Learn more at promega.com