Big Hill park is located a few miles down river from me in the bluffs along the Rock River. It has plenty of playgrounds and picnic areas, and miles of hiking trails through the woods
It's particularly lovely right now with all the colorful leaves.
Norwegian immigrants built a ski jump in 1911 and in 1936 it was improved with 60-meter ski jump with a steel inrun tower thar was constructed that made Big Hill park a major venue, even hosting European world-class ski jumpers
The jump was the site of record-setting competitions, with notable jumpers like Torger Tokle and Art Daggett Jr. achieving long distances.
The southern Wisconsin location did not guarantee the snow cover necessary for consistent, reliable use of the jump and in 1955 ski jumping activities at the park ceased.
I suppose most people who come to the park to have a picnic or a walk in the woods are unaware of the earlier history of the park.
