Love is Grown Here

Nearly 15 years ago, members of the community were invited to a local tree farm in the Town of Oconomowoc to cut down their own Christmas trees. After driving down a winding dirt path, families had the opportunity to walk through a wonderland of spruce and pine to choose their perfect tree.

The event was a fundraiser to support an extraordinary idea to create an inclusive haven dedicated to serving children and young adults with special needs and their families. In honor of a boy with physical and cognitive challenges who simply wanted to be included, accepted, and loved – the vision of Zachariah’s Acres sprouted and has been flourishing ever since.

In 2012, work began to transform nearly 100 acres of rolling fields, woods, and natural wetlands into a universally designed and nature-based environment where families, organizations, and community members have opportunities to gather in nature to play, relax and grow.

“We’ve gone from a farm field to a thriving campus that is hosting thousands of guests per year through the support of the community. It has been a lot of hard work and the support of hundreds of people,” said Emily Enockson, Director of Community Impact. “Anyone who sets foot on our campus is graced by God’s artistry and knows there is something bigger happening here.”

Over the years, grants from the Oconomowoc Area Foundation have helped fund fully accessible structures on the property, including a 4,000-square-foot workshop and year-round greenhouse, a treehouse with wildlife observation deck, an outdoor classroom, and a program offering respite for moms who have children with special needs, and more.

In 2024, an accessible archery range was created thanks to members of the Oconomowoc community dedicated to making meaningful differences in the lives of others through the Oconomowoc Area Foundation. The outdoor space has a painted concrete pad, a pergola for shade, and will also include special adaptive eyesight equipment and stands for people in wheelchairs.

“Our new archery range has been a big hit. At first, our guests were a little hesitant at trying something new. After a while, you could see the joy on their faces and they have gained so much confidence,” said Emily. “We wouldn’t exist without the support of community partners like the Oconomowoc Area Foundation. Not just financially, but also through fundraising events, volunteering, and spending time with our guests. It helps us so much.”