City of Menasha

The city of Menasha (population 16,785) is centrally located in the Fox Cities, approximately 100 miles north of Milwaukee, and 30 miles south of Green Bay. Menasha is in Winnebago County, one of the oldest counties in Wisconsin. Menasha was named by Governor Doty's wife in 1848. Menasha means, "the island." It features a unique historical downtown set on a canal linking Lake Winnebago, the Fox River, and Little Lake Butte des Morts. A landscaped river walk and an 87-slip Marina provide easy access to water recreation and downtown businesses.

Menasha is home to the UW-Fox Valley campus, the Heckrodt Wetland Reserve, and, a recently completed Trestle Trail Bridge. Officially opened on August 27, 2005, the trail has proven to be extremely popular with local residents and visitors to the Fox Cities. The trail is open year round and is a valuable transportation and recreational trail link between the City and Town of Menasha. The 1,600-foot long, lighted pedestrian bridge is the longest in Wisconsin and includes a center pavilion area with seating, and several fishing platforms along the way.

Menasha is also known for its annual outdoor New Year's Eve celebration and the Otto Grunski Family Festival, both held downtown in Curtis Reed Square. The city also joins Neenah every 4th of July for Communityfest. Besides traditional fireworks, this event also hosts a parade, games, water-ski show, music, and concessions at two of the areas most beautiful waterfront parks, one of which is Jefferson Park in Menasha.

The City also has the unique status of being a public power community. Menasha Utilities is one of this country's 2,200 public power systems - a utility owned by the people and the community it serves. On an average, the electric rates for MU customers are about 25% less than neighboring investor-owned utilities.

Paper production and processing, publishing, and packaging are still a major part of the area's strong economy today. Menasha has encouraged continued commercial and industrial growth. Our industries, along with the recent completion of the Tri-County Freeway and the recreational opportunities, beautiful parks, and small town atmosphere of the area, make Menasha part of one of the fastest-growing areas in Wisconsin.

For more information about our City, click here.