FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE on May 13, 2026
Contact: Marcus Aumann, Marathon County
Email: parksforestry@marathoncounty.gov
The Wausau and Marathon County Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department will be transitioning to a new recreation reservation software system this fall. Following a public procurement process, the Department has selected Kaizen Labs as its new recreation software provider.
The transition is being made to improve the public’s experience when making reservations, registering for programs, purchasing passes, and completing other recreation-related transactions online. The switch to the new system will occur after the Department’s current recreation software contract expires in early November.
Until the transition occurs, 2026 reservations and purchases will continue to be made through the Department’s current recreation software system. Customers may continue to make 2026 camping reservations, facility reservations, program registrations, and other purchases as they normally would.
As part of this transition, the Department wants customers to be aware of several important changes.
2027 camping reservations will not open until late 2026.
Because the Department will be changing software systems this fall, 2027 camping reservations will be delayed until the new system is fully operational. Additional information, including the exact date when 2027 reservations will be open, will be shared later this year.
Current gift cards and account credits should be used as soon as possible.
Gift cards and account credits in the current system will not carry over into the new Kaizen Labs system due to differences in how the systems function. Customers with existing gift cards or account credits are strongly encouraged to use them as soon as possible. The last day to use them will be November 1, 2026.
Gift cards will not be sold in the new system.
Once the Department transitions to the new software, gift cards will no longer be available for purchase.
Customers will need to create a new account.
To eliminate duplicate accounts, existing customer accounts from the current system will not transfer into the new software. Once the new system is launched, customers will need to create a new account before making reservations, registering for programs, or completing other online transactions.
Account history will not transfer.
Past reservation history, transaction history, and other historical account information will not be carried over into the new system. The Department will maintain required records internally, but customers should not expect to see prior account history in their new online account.
Existing 2026 reservations remain valid. Customers with current reservations or registrations do not need to take any immediate action unless they have gift cards or account credits they wish to use before the transition in November.
The Department will continue to share updates as the transition moves forward, including instructions on how to create a new account and when 2027 camping reservations will become available.
For updates, customers are encouraged to visit www.marathocounty.gov, follow the Department on social media, or contact the Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department at (715) 261-1550 or parksforestry@marathoncounty.gov
