The Friends of Lapham Peak (FLP) worked with the DNR to construct Lapham Lodge at Lapham Peak; the Lodge was opened to the public on May 17, 2025!
Rentals: The Lodge is available for rentals, with some restrictions due to other planned events. Contact the Park Office, 262-646-3025, or use the WI DNR Website
Lapham Peak is very popular among hikers, runners, dog-walkers, cross country skiers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders, just to name a few groups who recreate here! The last few years have seen record attendance at the park. Lapham Peak is the only Wisconsin state park that provides manmade snow for cross country skiing, bringing skiers from throughout the region, especially when natural snow is limited. The existing Evergreen Shelter no longer met the needs of the increasing numbers of users and events. Lapham Lodge can host larger running races, ski races and special events as well as provide rental opportunities.
The Lodge's Grand Opening was held on May 17 though we still have expenses and finishing touches that are needed, and until the State approves and provides permanent annual funds to the Park to maintain the new building, the FLP will be covering those costs. We are therefore still fundraising to complete and maintain the building. Can you help??
- Benefits of the New Lodge
- Floor Plan with interior & exterior drawings (updated 3/14/22)
- Aerial Site Plan (updated 9/2022)
- Grand Opening, May 17, 2025.
The new Lapham Lodge was designed by the Friends in coordination with the DNR. Groundbreaking happened on March 19, 2024, and the Grand Opening happened on May 17, 2025!
Fundraising Update:
Thanks to your donations and grants, and funds from the Friends of Lapham Peak, we have funded the entire building's cost! But, we still have needs for this buildings contents and maintenance:
- The State of Wisconsin is requiring the FLP to provide the operating costs for the building, estimated at $18,000 per year, for up to the first 5 years. This gives the State time to get the funds needed to operate the building into the DNR's budget for Lapham Peak. Additionally, the State requires the FLP to maintain a fund balance of about 10% of the total project cost to address any issues that happen with the building in the first years (again, to allow the State time to budget for the building's future expenses). We hope that the State's budgeting process for Lapham Peak will happen sooner, but we need to plan on these costs for now, per agreement with the State.
- We need to furnish the building with fixtures: tables, chairs, AV equipment, equipment for the kitchenette, water fountains, etc, so we have created a "Donor Catalog" for the items that are still needed. These make great items to donate in memory of a loved one. Our donor recognition wall highlights these and other large gifts to the project.
- Total pledges, grants, and net cash as of August 31, 2025 is $3,026,315.00. This is an increase of $14,915.45 since July 31, 2025.
➡ Outstanding specific items that may be donated are listed in our Lapham Lodge Donor Catalog (updated 6/12/25).
For other ways to help this project, see below for more donation options including our East Patio Donor Paver Bricks!
Background of the Project
The Evergreen Shelter was initially constructed to support the needs of the Park’s 1989 Master Plan. That Plan called for a group picnic shelter/warming hut, and noted that the lack of facilities was a limiting factor in the park’s revenue picture. The growing popularity of the park, especially during the winter for cross country skiing, has often overwhelmed the capacity of the existing Evergreen building.
The DNR had wanted to replace the current Evergreen Building for a long time, and had forecasted that in their long-range plans, but could not get the funds to do do that. So, the Friends of Lapham Peak drove the fund raising to make this possible now!
Project Description
The Lapham Lodge is 5,000 sq. ft. and includes a 2,300 sq. ft. gathering space with fireplace and seating for 112 at tables, a 400 sq. ft. multipurpose room with kitchenette, larger and accessible men’s, women’s, and family restrooms, changing rooms with lockers, and a large outdoor patio for use year-round by park visitors. It is located between the Evergreen Grove parking lot and the trailhead with great views of the trail.
Donations to Lapham Lodge Project
The "Friends of Lapham Peak Unit, Kettle Moraine State Forest, Inc." (FLP) is an IRS recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization; our Employer Identification Number (EIN) is: 39-1650068. For donations to be eligible for tax deductions, they should be made in one of these ways so that we can provide you with a receipt (and so that we can sincerely thank you!)
Cash or Checks:
Cash or Checks should be mailed to or dropped off at the Lapham Peak Park Office. Make checks payable to “Friends of Lapham Peak” and in the memo, specify "Lapham Lodge"
Friends of Lapham Peak - Lapham Lodge
W329 N846 Hwy C
Delafield, WI 53018
Online Giving:
You may donate online using a charge or debit card (e.g., VISA, MasterCard, Discover, American Express) or a PayPal Account. Online processing is performed securely through our agreement with PayPal. You do not need a PayPal account to use this option.
When possible, larger donations should be made directly to the Friends by check to avoid fees and charges that we incur from our online processing service. Thank you.
Online Donation
Stock Donations:
Donors who invest in stocks or mutual funds might want to consider donating securities to the Friends of Lapham Peak for Lapham Lodge. When you donate stock to a non-profit charitable organization, you avoid capital gains tax while deducting 100% of the current value of your donation on your income taxes. Contact John Hillmer, President of the Friends of Lapham Peak, 414-333-6337, for information on how to accomplish this (he will put you in contact with our Treasurer).
Lapham Lodge East Patio Donor Pavers
The Lodge is located at the Evergreen Trailhead, and includes a large east-facing patio for visitors to enjoy the early morning sun or chill out after a hike or ski around the park. The patio and a walkway to a grilling area nearby, and then other walkways around the Lodge will include brick pavers which will show the names of donors to the Lodge.
Donate today to get a laser-printed paver for installation around the new Lodge.
- 4” by 8” PAVERS - Minimum Donation: $200 (Room for 2 Lines of 18 Characters)
- 8” by 8” PAVERS – Minimum Donation: $500 (Room for 4 Lines of 18 Characters)
Friends of Lapham Peak is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit; our EIN is 39-1650068; all donations including Donor Pavers are eligible for tax deductible purposes. Laser-Printed Pavers will be Provided by “That’s My Brick”
TO ORDER:
Reserve your paver by either:
1. using thatsmybrick.com/flp website to specify your options and make your donation*
2. or complete the Order Form and mail it with payment to:
Friends of Lapham Peak – Lapham Lodge
W329 N846 County Hwy “C”
Delafield, WI. 53018
Or, drop off the completed Order Form and payment at the Lapham Peak park office,
Or, scan and e-mail the completed order form to: laphamlodge@laphampeakfriends.org
and then send your check to the address above, or make your donation with your credit card* using the secure option below:
Online Donation for Lapham Lodge
East Patio Donor Pavers
After donating, if you haven't submitted your Donor Paver brick lines, please use the thatsmybrick.com/flp website to specify your options and click the “Pay Your Fundraiser Organizer Directly” button on the “Choose Your Payment Preference” screen.
*Note that the Friends receive the full value of your donation if you pay by check to the Friends of Lapham Peak/Lapham Lodge (since the Friends pay fees to the credit card companies when credit or debit cards are used).
For more information, E-mail: laphamlodge@laphampeakfriends.org