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Forest Park

Forest Park

Neighborhood in Wausau, Wisconsin

Marathon County 54403

$265,634 Average Value
$122 Average Price per Sq Ft
2 Homes For Sale

A subdued lifestyle in Forest Park

The quiet, wooded enclave of Forest Park was aptly named for the park at its center. Though the community sits just 3 miles north of Downtown Wausau, homebuyers won’t find many urban amenities. Instead, it’s the secluded nature of Forest Park paired with walkable schools, parks and public transit stops that give residents the best of both worlds. Midcentury homes line the sloping residential streets, where sidewalks are replaced with old-growth trees and manicured gardens. Nearby eateries stand alone, surrounded by woods and planted along roads paralleling the Wisconsin River. From woodlands to the downtown scene in just a few miles, Forest Park is a natural getaway for those seeking a sequestered lifestyle without having to sacrifice the perks of the city.
Snowy streets don't stp the residents from getting around in Forest Park.
Snowy streets don't stp the residents from getting around in Forest Park.
Residents cleaning up snow is a common occurrence in Wausau.
Residents cleaning up snow is a common occurrence in Wausau.
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Midcentury homes on quiet, wooded avenues

Homes in Forest Park were largely constructed in the early to late midcentury. Winding streets are often hilly and wooded, lined with split levels, ranch-style homes, bungalows and snout houses. Towering oaks shade front yards with crabapple trees flaunting bright pink blossoms in the spring. Homebuyers won’t find any sidewalks in the community, but rather decorative gardens and long, paved driveways removing homes from the main roads. Most are priced between $135,000 and $335,000, though the occasional Colonial Revival or custom Modern build exceeding 3,500 square feet can reach up to $850,000. While properties closer to the Wisconsin River sometimes yield scenic waterfront views, they’re also susceptible to flooding.
Craftsman and National style homes line the streets in Wausau.
Craftsman and National style homes line the streets in Wausau.
The hilly streets of Forest Park give the homes many levels to build upon.
The hilly streets of Forest Park give the homes many levels to build upon.
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Snow tubing in the winter, mountain biking in the summer

Forest Park rests in the heart of its namesake community, a heavily wooded natural area with tennis and pickleball courts alongside a neighborhood playground. Along the Wisconsin River, Gilbert Park provides a boat landing and fishing pier on 6th Street. “There’s a lot of kayaking, canoeing and fishing on the river,” McCarthy says. “We don’t have beaches or anything like that, no cabin cruisers out on the water. But the kayak course downtown tends to fill up for freestyle championships.” To the east, Sylvan Hill Park is a popular destination for mountain biking in the summer and snow tubing in the winter. A mile south, Athletic Park stadium is home to the Wausau Woodchucks, a local baseball team in the Northwoods collegiate summer league.
The Wisconsin river through Forest Park is home to many summer and winter activities.
The Wisconsin river through Forest Park is home to many summer and winter activities.
In the Winter, Forest Park’s Sylvan Park has some of the best downhill tubing in the area.
In the Winter, Forest Park’s Sylvan Park has some of the best downhill tubing in the area.
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The secondary schools next door

Families are zoned for the Wausau School District, beginning at Riverview Elementary School. With a B on Niche, the school provides early childhood and four-year-old kindergarten programs on campus. Horace Mann Middle earns a B on Niche. As one of just two middle schools in the district, Horace Mann comprises all elementary students east of the Wisconsin River. The school is within walking distance of many homes alongside Wausau East High School. With a B-plus, Wausau East has been a rival of Wausau West for more than 50 years. Beginning in 2024, Wausau East will join the Great Northern athletic conference, ending a decades-long school feud.
Horace Mann Middle School in Wausau is rated a B by Niche.
Horace Mann Middle School in Wausau is rated a B by Niche.
Riverview Elementary School has a student-teacher ratio of 17 to 1.
Riverview Elementary School has a student-teacher ratio of 17 to 1.
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Vibrant festivities in Downtown Wausau

Downtown Wausau boasts events and festivities that unite the community throughout the year. Concerts on the Square is a free summer series attracting over 2,000 guests. Held at Wausau’s renovated city square—affectionally known as 400 Block—the series features live musicians and food vendors every Wednesday night from June through August. Similarly, Chalkfest draws a massive crowd of amateur and professional artists each June, renting sidewalk squares to create chalk masterpieces. “They do some really fantastic work and it’s cool to see,” says Michelle McCarthy with Marathon County Parks, Recreation & Forestry. “But if mother nature doesn’t take care of it, we make sure it’s all scrubbed by the next week, so people don’t track chalk into the buildings downtown.”
Wausau Holiday Parade happens once a year for residents of Wausau.
Wausau Holiday Parade happens once a year for residents of Wausau.
Kick off the holiday season at the Wausau Holiday Parade.
Kick off the holiday season at the Wausau Holiday Parade.
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Navigating greater Wausau

Residents of Forest Park are mainly car dependent, but Metro Ride bus stops are widely available within a few blocks of most homes. The city’s Metro Ride bus service provides stops along Brown and 6th Streets, as well as 13th Street surrounding Horace Mann Middle School. Though designated bike lanes are not provided in the neighborhood, many locals take advantage of the River Edge Parkway. This paved trail heads 3 miles south into Downtown Wausau. Views of the Wisconsin River and surrounding parks make for a scenic ride. The nearest emergency room is Aspirus Wausau Hospital, 4 miles west across the river. Commuters rely on State Route 29 for the 100-mile drive to Green Bay. Those heading out of state typically fly out of Central Wisconsin Airport, 17 miles south on Interstate 39.
Forest Park residents appreciate the clean parks, and community centric lifestyle.
Forest Park residents appreciate the clean parks, and community centric lifestyle.
Metro Ride operates 7 regular bus routes, every 30 minutes in Wausau.
Metro Ride operates 7 regular bus routes, every 30 minutes in Wausau.
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American fare overlooking the Tribute Golf Course greenway

Forest Park sits a mile south of Tribute Golf Course. The course’s associated restaurant, Bunkers, is located onsite. The casual eatery offers classic American fare prepared by an award-winning executive chef. There, fresh and locally-sourced meals can be served on the patio, which overlooks the course below. Over on 6th Street, The Pickle Jar Grinds and Finds is a locally-owned coffee shop serving handmade lattes and smoothies in a country-style shop that includes a small retail store with home decor and random knick-knacks. As for the essentials, residents typically head south to Lamb’s Fresh Market on Wausau Avenue. Those willing to head downtown will find an array of shopping and dining options, including Downtown Grocery, an "everyday farmer's market" on 3rd Street selling organic produce sourced from Midwestern growers.
Bunker’s Bar and Grill in Forest Park has an Award-Winning Chef cooking up something good.
Bunker’s Bar and Grill in Forest Park has an Award-Winning Chef cooking up something good.
Bunkers Bar and Grill at the public Tribute golf course is a local favorite.
Bunkers Bar and Grill at the public Tribute golf course is a local favorite.
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Dana Chesser
Written By
Dana Chesser
Jesse Snyder
Photography Contributed By
Jesse Snyder
Logan Cox
Video By
Logan Cox

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Kevin Blake, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Central Wisconsin

28 min drive

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Forest Park US
Homicide 3 4
Sexual Assault 3 4
Assault with Weapon 3 4
Robbery 3 4
Burglary 3 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 2 4
Larceny 3 4
Crime Score 3 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Forest Park Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$219,900
Median Sale Price
$231,100
Median Single Family Sale Price
$231,100
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
30
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
0%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$122

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
245
Number of Homes for Sale
2
Median Year Built
1953
Months of Supply
0.80
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,881
On par with the national average
1,933
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
10,018

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Kevin Blake, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
1,560
Median Age
45
Population Density
5 ppl/acre
Population under 18
23.5%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
27.2%
Above the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$78,040
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$82,864

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
97.8%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
35.3%
Advanced Degrees
12.1%
% Population in Labor Force
67.8%
On par with the national average
65.1%

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

21 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

28 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Forest Park