Manitowoc County Executive Bob Ziegelbauer cut the ribbon yesterday on the latest addition to the Cherney Maribel Caves Park, The Tartarus Pavilion.
The pavilion is named after one of the several cave systems at the regional tourist destination. “It’s a real improvement in one of our most popular parks.” Ziegelbauer lamented. “The popularity of Maribel Caves Park is growing at an alarming rate. We couldn’t be happier.”
Manitowoc County Planning and Zoning Director Tim Ryan said it was a much-needed improvement. “We didn’t have any drinking water, no wells,” Ryan said. “This was partially the initiative for building this nice shelter. There are flushable bathrooms now. In addition to a bubbler, we have a filling tank for people to top of their water bottles. The usage of Maribel Caves Park has grown exponentially over the years.”
A spacious covered picnic space is now available for use with future additional improvements to include more handicap accessibility and walking trails.
Tartarus Pavilion took about five months to complete with a majority of the $475,000 cost absorbed by a $237,000 DNR Stewardship Grant and a Utility Fund Grant.
The Maribel Caves are open dawn to dusk with only foot traffic allowed.
