Richard Bong State Recreation Area

Richard Bong State Recreation Area is a 4,515-acre (1,827 ha) unit of the state park system of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It is located in the town of Brighton, in Kenosha County. This managed prairie contains 8.3 miles (13 km) of mountain bike trails. Other recreational activities include high power rocketry, swimming, dogsledding, falconry, ATV sports, land sailing, horseback riding, hunting, fishing, camping with amenities, and ultralight aviation. There is a wildlife preserve where great egrets, sandhill cranes, and great blue herons are known to nest. The Richard Bong SRA is one of the centerpieces of the proposed Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge.

Richard Bong State Recreation Area
Sign for the recreation area on Interstate 94
Location within Wisconsin Location within the United States
Interactive map of Richard Bong State Recreation Area
Location	Kenosha County, Wisconsin, United States
Coordinates	42°38′2″N 88°8′36″W
Area	4,515 acres (1,827 ha)
Established	1963
Administrator	Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Named for	Richard Bong
Website	Official website
Wisconsin State Parks

Richard Bong Air Force Base

The park is on land once intended for the Richard Bong Air Force Base, whose namesake is World War II veteran aviator Maj. Richard Ira Bong. Part of what was intended to be the 12,500-foot (3,800 m) main airstrip is still visible from aerial photos of the site.

Theft of signs

Largely due to its name's coincidental allusions to cannabis use, Bong Recreation Area is a frequent target of sign theft. This has led to the manufacturing of T-shirts and sweatshirts bearing the highway exit sign.

External links

• Richard Bong State Recreation Area Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
• Richard Bong State Recreation Area Map Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources