Jefferson Park

Jefferson Park sits right on the edge of Lake Winnebago, a sprawling patchwork of green where Menasha comes to life. It’s the sort of place where you catch families grilling under pavilions while kids rocket down new playground slides or gather in circles around those rare free campfire pits when the evening cools. The park recently got a serious facelift—a $5 million reinvention that didn’t just modernize, but made sure everyone could join in. You’ll see wheelchair-accessible ramps winding into the heart of the play structures, ziplines with inclusive swings, and a whimsical water-themed zone with cattails, turtles, and pelicans decorating every corner. There’s a rhythm here: locals out for their daily walk along the shoreline path, teens gathering near the climbing tower, anglers quietly casting off from the boat launch at sunrise. The Menasha Community Pool next door overflows with laughter in summer—slides twisting over the fence line and sunbathers claiming their patch of grass. A paved trail hugs the lakefront, perfect for strollers or bikes, and offers up some of the best sunset views in town. Even on busy weekends with softball games or community events filling the shelters, there’s room to breathe. Some spots might get a little messy—Canada geese are frequent guests—but maintenance crews keep it remarkably tidy for such a well-loved gathering ground. What sets Jefferson Park apart isn’t just its amenities; it’s how seamlessly it connects all walks of life. Whether you’re hosting a family reunion in one of the big shelters or slipping away solo for a quiet walk by the water, this is where Menasha crosses generations and backgrounds. In an age when real community can feel rare, Jefferson Park still delivers it daily.