895.52(1)(g)
(g) "Recreational activity" means any outdoor activity undertaken for the purpose of exercise, relaxation or pleasure, including practice or instruction in any such activity. "Recreational activity" includes hunting, fishing, trapping, camping, picnicking, exploring caves, nature study, bicycling, horseback riding, bird-watching, motorcycling, operating an all-terrain vehicle, ballooning, hang gliding, hiking, tobogganing, sledding, sleigh riding, snowmobiling, skiing, skating, water sports, sight-seeing, rock-climbing, cutting or removing wood, climbing observation towers, animal training, harvesting the products of nature, sport shooting and any other outdoor sport, game or educational activity. "Recreational activity" does not include any organized team sport activity sponsored by the owner of the property on which the activity takes place.
895.52(1)(h)
(h) "Recreational agreement" means a written authorization granted by an owner to a governmental body or nonprofit organization permitting public access to all or a specified part of the owner's property for any recreational activity.
895.52(1)(i)
(i) "Residential property" means a building or structure designed for and used as a private dwelling accommodation or private living quarters, and the land surrounding the building or structure within a 300-foot radius.
895.52(2)
(2) No duty; immunity from liability. 895.52(2)(a)(a) Except as provided in
subs. (3) to
(6), no owner and no officer, employe or agent of an owner owes to any person who enters the owner's property to engage in a recreational activity:
895.52(2)(a)1.
1. A duty to keep the property safe for recreational activities.
895.52(2)(a)3.
3. A duty to give warning of an unsafe condition, use or activity on the property.
895.52(2)(b)
(b) Except as provided in
subs. (3) to
(6), no owner and no officer, employe or agent of an owner is liable for the death of, any injury to, or any death or injury caused by, a person engaging in a recreational activity on the owner's property or for any death or injury resulting from an attack by a wild animal.
895.52(3)
(3) Liability; state property. Subsection (2) does not limit the liability of an officer, employe or agent of this state or of any of its agencies for either of the following:
895.52(3)(a)
(a) A death or injury that occurs on property of which this state or any of its agencies is the owner at any event for which the owner charges an admission fee for spectators.
895.52(3)(b)
(b) A death or injury caused by a malicious act or by a malicious failure to warn against an unsafe condition of which an officer, employe or agent knew, which occurs on property designated by the department of natural resources under
s. 23.115 or designated by another state agency for a recreational activity.
895.52(4)
(4) Liability; property of governmental bodies other than this state. Subsection (2) does not limit the liability of a governmental body other than this state or any of its agencies or of an officer, employe or agent of such a governmental body for either of the following:
895.52(4)(a)
(a) A death or injury that occurs on property of which a governmental body is the owner at any event for which the owner charges an admission fee for spectators.
895.52(4)(b)
(b) A death or injury caused by a malicious act or by a malicious failure to warn against an unsafe condition of which an officer, employe or agent of a governmental body knew, which occurs on property designated by the governmental body for recreational activities.
895.52(5)
(5) Liability; property of nonprofit organizations. Subsection (2) does not limit the liability of a nonprofit organization or any of its officers, employes or agents for a death or injury caused by a malicious act or a malicious failure to warn against an unsafe condition of which an officer, employe or agent of the nonprofit organization knew, which occurs on property of which the nonprofit organization is the owner.
895.52(6)
(6) Liability; private property. Subsection (2) does not limit the liability of a private property owner or of an employe or agent of a private property owner whose property is used for a recreational activity if any of the following conditions exist:
895.52(6)(a)
(a) The private property owner collects money, goods or services in payment for the use of the owner's property for the recreational activity during which the death or injury occurs, and the aggregate value of all payments received by the owner for the use of the owner's property for recreational activities during the year in which the death or injury occurs exceeds $2,000. The following do not constitute payment to a private property owner for the use of his or her property for a recreational activity:
895.52(6)(a)1.
1. A gift of wild animals or any other product resulting from the recreational activity.
895.52(6)(a)2.
2. An indirect nonpecuniary benefit to the private property owner or to the property that results from the recreational activity.
895.52(6)(a)3.
3. A donation of money, goods or services made for the management and conservation of the resources on the property.
895.52(6)(a)4.
4. A payment of not more than $5 per person per day for permission to gather any product of nature on an owner's property.
895.52(6)(a)6.
6. A payment received from a nonprofit organization for a recreational agreement.
895.52(6)(b)
(b) The death or injury is caused by the malicious failure of the private property owner or an employe or agent of the private property owner to warn against an unsafe condition on the property, of which the private property owner knew.
895.52(6)(c)
(c) The death or injury is caused by a malicious act of the private property owner or of an employe or agent of a private property owner.
895.52(6)(d)
(d) The death or injury occurs on property owned by a private property owner to a social guest who has been expressly and individually invited by the private property owner for the specific occasion during which the death or injury occurs, if the death or injury occurs on any of the following:
895.52(6)(e)
(e) The death or injury is sustained by an employe of a private property owner acting within the scope of his or her duties.
895.52(7)
(7) No duty or liability created. Except as expressly provided in this section, nothing in this section or
s. 101.11 nor the common law attractive nuisance doctrine creates any duty of care or ground of liability toward any person who uses another's property for a recreational activity.
895.52 Note
NOTE: 1983 Wis. Act 418, which created this section, has "legislative intent" in section 1.
895.52 Annotation
Common law "open and obvious danger" limitation on landowner liability discussed. Waters v. U.S. Fidelity & Guaranty Co. 124 W (2d) 275, 369 NW (2d) 755 (Ct. App. 1985).
895.52 Annotation
Municipality is immune from liability for defective highway or public sidewalk only when it has turned them over, at least in part, to recreational activities and when damages result from such activity. Bystery v. Village of Sauk City, 146 W (2d) 247, 430 NW (2d) 611 (Ct. App. 1988).
895.52 Annotation
"Recreational activity" does not apply to random wanderings of young child which are not similar to activities listed in (1) (g). Shannon v. Shannon, 150 W (2d) 434, 442 NW (2d) 25 (1989).
895.52 Annotation
State's role as trustee of public waters is equivalent to ownership, giving rise to recreational immunity. Sauer v. Reliance Insurance Company, 152 W (2d) 234, 448 NW (2d) 256 (Ct. App. 1989).
895.52 Annotation
Indirect pecuniary benefits constitute "payment" under (6) (a). Douglas v. Dewey, 154 W (2d) 451, 453 NW (2d) 500 (Ct. App. 1990).
895.52 Annotation
"Injury" under (1) (b) includes death. Moua v. Northern States Power Co., 157 W (2d) 177, 458 NW (2d) 836 (Ct. App. 1990).
895.52 Annotation
By providing lifeguard, landowner does not assume duty to provide lifeguard services in non-negligent manner. Ervin v. City of Kenosha, 159 W (2d) 464, 464 NW (2d) 654 (1991).
895.52 Annotation
For purposes of (4)(b) conduct is "malicious" when it is the result of hatred, ill will, revenge, or undertaken when insult or injury is intended. Ervin v. City of Kenosha, 159 W (2d) 464, 464 NW (2d) 654 (1991).
895.52 Annotation
Immunity is not limited to injuries caused by defects in property itself, but applies to all injuries sustained during use. Johnson v. City of Darlington, 160 W (2d) 418, 466 NW (2d) 233 (Ct. App. 1991).
895.52 Annotation
Young child's inability to intend to engage in recreational activity does not render landowner immunity inapplicable where activity is recreational in nature. Nelson v. Schreiner, 161 W (2d) 798, 469 NW (2d) 214 (Ct. App. 1991).
895.52 Annotation
Illegal gambling conducted by club occupying city park land placed club outside protection of immunity statute. Lee v. Elk Rod & Gun Club Inc., 164 W (2d) 103, 473 NW (2d) 581 (Ct. App. 1991).
895.52 Annotation
Party is not immune as occupant where evidence unequivocally shows intentional and permanent abandonment of premises had occurred. Mooney v. Royal Ins. Co., 164 W (2d) 516, 476 NW (2d) 287 (Ct. App. 1991).
895.52 Annotation
Walking to or from non-immune activity does not change landowner's status. Hupf v. City of Appleton, 165 W (2d) 215, 477 NW (2d) 69 (Ct. App. 1991).
895.52 Annotation
Sub. (2) (b) does not require a person injured by a wild animal to be engaged in a recreational activity for immunity to attach to property owner; a captive buck deer is a wild animal. Hudson v. Janesville Conservation Club, 168 W (2d) 436, 484 NW (2d) 132 (1992).
895.52 Annotation
Claimed ignorance of and blatant failure to follow applicable regulations cannot be construed as reasonable diligence in discovering an injury where following the rule would have resulted in earlier discovery. Stroh Die Casting v. Monsanto Co. 177 W (2d) 91, 502 NW (2d) 132 (Ct. App. 1993).
895.52 Annotation
Municipal pier was type of property intended to be covered by recreational immunity statute. Crowbridge v. Village of Egg Harbor, 179 W (2d) 565, 508 NW (2d) 15 (Ct. App. 1993).
895.52 Annotation
Church which paid a fee to reserve park space including a ball diamond for a picnic where a "pickup" softball was played was not a sponsor of an organized team sport activity under sub. (1) (g). Weina v. Atlantic Mut. Ins. Co. 179 W (2d) 774, 508 NW (2d) 67 (Ct. App. 1993).
895.52 Annotation
Visiting a neighbor to say hello is not a recreational activity under this section. Sievert v. American Family Mut. Ins. Co. 190 W (2d) 413, 528 NW (2d) 413 (1995).
895.52 Annotation
Whether a person intended to engage in recreational activity is not dispositive in determining whether recreational activity is engaged in. The nature and purpose of the activity must be given primary consideration. Linville v. City of Janesville, 184 W (2d) 705, 516 NW (2d) 427 (1994).
895.52 Annotation
Recreational immunity does not extend to activities of the land owner acting independently of its functions as owner; immunity did not apply to city paramedics providing service to an accident victim at a city park. Linville v. City of Janesville, 184 W (2d) 705, 516 NW (2d) 427 (1994).
895.52 Annotation
Limited liability for nonprofit organizations is not unconstitutional on equal protection grounds. Szarzynski v. YMCA, Camp Minikani, 184 W (2d) 875, 517 NW (2d) 135 (1994).
895.52 Annotation
That a local firemen's picnic generated profits which were used for park maintenance and improvements and the purchase of fire equipment did not result in the event being a commercial, rather than recreational, activity under this section. Fischer v. Doylestown Fire Department, 199 W (2d) 83, 549 NW (2d) 575 (Ct. App. 1995).
895.52 Annotation
Land need not be open for recreational use for immunity to apply under this section. The focus is on the activity of the person who enters on and uses the land. Immunity applies without regard to the owner's permission. Verdoljak v. Mosinee Paper Corp. 200 W (2d) 624, 547 NW (2d) 602 (1996).
895.52 Annotation
An activity essentially recreational in nature will not be divided into component parts, at one moment recreational and at another not, in applying this section. Verdoljak v. Mosinee Paper Corp. 200 W (2d) 624, 547 NW (2d) 602 (1996).
895.52 Annotation
Recreational immunity does not attach to a landowner when an act of the landowner's officer, employee or agent that is unrelated to the maintenance or condition of the land causes injury to a recreational land user. Kosky v. International Association of Lions Clubs, 210 W (2d) 464, 565 NW (2d) 260 (Ct. App. 1997).
895.52 Annotation
A portable ice shanty located on a frozen lake does not qualify as recreational "property" and its presence on the lake is insufficient to establish its owner as an "occupant" of the lake entitled to recreational immunity. Doane v. Helenville Mutual Insurance Co. 216 W (2d) 344, 575 NW (2d) 734 (Ct. App. 1998).
895.52 Annotation
Walking for exercise through a park on the way to do errands was a recreational activity. Lasky v. City of Stevens Point, 220 W (2d) 1, 582 NW (2d) 64 (Ct. App. 1998).
895.52 Annotation
Wisconsin's Recreational Use Statute: Towards Sharpening the Picture at the Edges. 1991 WLR 491.
895.52 Annotation
Wisconsin's Recreational Use Statute. Pendleton. Wis. Law. May 1993.
895.525
895.525
Participation in recreational activities. 895.525(1)(1)
Legislative purpose. The legislature intends by this section to establish the responsibilities of participants in recreational activities in order to decrease uncertainty regarding the legal responsibility for deaths or injuries that result from participation in recreational activities and thereby to help assure the continued availability in this state of enterprises that offer recreational activities to the public.
895.525(2)
(2) Definition. In this section, "recreational activity" means any activity undertaken for the purpose of exercise, relaxation or pleasure, including practice or instruction in any such activity. "Recreational activity" includes hunting, fishing, trapping, camping, bowling, billiards, picnicking, exploring caves, nature study, dancing, bicycling, horseback riding, horseshoe-pitching, bird-watching, motorcycling, operating an all-terrain vehicle, ballooning, curling, throwing darts, hang gliding, hiking, tobogganing, sledding, sleigh riding, snowmobiling, skiing, skating, participation in water sports, weight and fitness training, sight-seeing, rock-climbing, cutting or removing wood, climbing observation towers, animal training, harvesting the products of nature, sport shooting and any other sport, game or educational activity.
895.525(3)
(3) Appreciation of risk. A participant in a recreational activity engaged in on premises owned or leased by a person who offers facilities to the general public for participation in recreational activities accepts the risks inherent in the recreational activity of which the ordinary prudent person is or should be aware. In a negligence action for recovery of damages for death, personal injury or property damage, conduct by a participant who accepts the risks under this subsection is contributory negligence, to which the comparative negligence provisions of
s. 895.045 shall apply.
895.525(4)(a)(a) A participant in a recreational activity engaged in on premises owned or leased by a person who offers facilities to the general public for participation in recreational activities is responsible to do all of the following:
895.525(4)(a)2.
2. Heed all warnings regarding participation in the recreational activity.
895.525(4)(a)3.
3. Maintain control of his or her person and the equipment, devices or animals the person is using while participating in the recreational activity.
895.525(4)(a)4.
4. Refrain from acting in any manner that may cause or contribute to the death or injury to himself or herself or to other persons while participating in the recreational activity.
895.525(4)(b)
(b) A violation of this subsection constitutes negligence. The comparative negligence provisions of
s. 895.045 apply to negligence under this subsection.
895.525(4m)
(4m) Liability of contact sports participants. 895.525(4m)(a)(a) A participant in a recreational activity that includes physical contact between persons in a sport involving amateur teams, including teams in recreational, municipal, high school and college leagues, may be liable for an injury inflicted on another participant during and as part of that sport in a tort action only if the participant who caused the injury acted recklessly or with intent to cause injury.
895.525(4m)(b)
(b) Unless the professional league establishes a clear policy with a different standard, a participant in an athletic activity that includes physical contact between persons in a sport involving professional teams in a professional league may be liable for an injury inflicted on another participant during and as part of that sport in a tort action only if the participant who caused the injury acted recklessly or with intent to cause injury.
895.525(5)
(5) Effect on related provision. Nothing in this section affects the limitation of property owners' liability under
s. 895.52.
895.525 Note
NOTE: 1987 Wis. Act 377, which created this section, has a prefatory note explaining the act.
895.525 Annotation
This section codifies common law. It does not impose a greater duty of care on individuals than exists at common law. Rockweit v. Senecal, 197 W (2d) 409, 541 NW (2d) 742 (1995).
895.527
895.527
Sport shooting range activities. 895.527(1)
(1) In this section, "sport shooting range" means an area designed and operated for the use and discharge of firearms.
895.527(2)
(2) A person who owns or operates a sport shooting range is immune from civil liability related to noise resulting from the operation of the sport shooting range.
895.527(3)
(3) A person who owns or operates a sport shooting range is not subject to an action for nuisance or to zoning conditions related to noise and no court may enjoin or restrain the operation or use of a sport shooting range on the basis of noise.
895.527(4)
(4) Any sport shooting range that exists on June 18, 1998, may continue to operate as a sport shooting range at that location notwithstanding any zoning ordinance enacted under
s. 59.69,
60.61,
60.62,
61.35 or
62.23 (7), if the sport shooting range is a lawful use or a legal nonconforming use under any zoning ordinance enacted under
s. 59.69,
60.61,
60.62,
61.35 or
62.23 (7) that is in effect on June 18, 1998.
895.527(5)
(5) Any sport shooting range that exists on June 18, 1998, may continue to operate as a sport shooting range at that location notwithstanding all of the following:
