Map

Hillcrest Estates is easily reached from either US Route 53 heading south from Chippewa Falls, or heading east from Eau Claire on US Route 12. 

Altoona and Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Altoona is a quiet, friendly suburb located east of Eau Claire. Currently experiencing significant economic growth, it was ranked the 3rd fastest growing city in Wisconsin. This growth is reflected in new residential construction, new schools, an expanding manufacturing and distribution sector, growing medical facilities and office buildings, and a number of senior living communities. Despite this growth, Altoona still offers its residents the safety and community of a small town within minutes of the attractions and conveniences of larger Eau Claire.

Just a few minutes away, Eau Claire is a regional hub, and a center for business and industry. Always growing and expanding, Eau Claire features a strong manufacturing base, a growing high-tech industry, prominent medical facilities, and several institutions of higher education. Regional corporations such as Menards, Silver Spring Foods have their headquarters here, and national corporations like Charter Communications have established their regional headquarters in the city.

According to the city's Economic Development Division, the top 5 employers in the Eau Claire area are Menards, the Mayo Clinic Health System–Eau Claire, the Eau Claire School District, and the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire

Schools

The Altoona School District has a 4-year-old Kindergarten, an elementary school, an intermediate school, a middle school, and a high school. The elementary school serves children from 4K–3rd grade. The Intermediate school serves students in grades 4 and 5, and is an innovative and progressive learning community, and was chosen to present at the Wisconsin Association of School Boards (WASB) conference in Milwaukee this year. The middle school comprises grades 6–8, preparing students for entry into Altoona High School. 

Altoona Elementary School is conveniently northeast of the park, less than a ten minute walk, or 0.4 miles east along Birch Drive. The address is 157 Bartlett Ave.

Altoona Middle School and Altoona Intermediate School are located 2.1 miles northeast of Hillcrest.

Altoona High School is located 2.6 miles northwest of Hillcrest in front of the Middle School, Intermediate School, and district offices at 711 7^th St. W. U.S. News and World Report magazine awarded Altoona High School a silver medal, and ranked it 39th out of 164 ranked high schools in the state. The school offers AP courses, scored above the state average for English proficiency, and at the state average for proficiency in math. It has a 17:1 student–teacher ratio and graduation rate of 91%. The student population is 445 students. 

The Regis Catholic School System offers two child development centers, three elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school in Eau Claire and Altoona for those preferring a parochial education for their children. The schools are well-established and are fully accredited.

Regis Child Development Center is 3.3 miles northwest of Hillcrest, off US Route 53/S. Hastings Way at 2114 Fenwick Ave. Eau Claire, WI 54701. The Genesis Child Development Center is 5.7 miles northwest of the park at 418 N. Dewey St. Eau Claire, WI 54703.

Immaculate Conception Elementary is 3.8 miles away, northwest of Hillcrest at 703 Sherwin Ave. Eau Claire. St. James Elementary is 8.8 miles northwest of the park at 2502 11th St. Eau Claire, WI 54703. St. Mary’s Elementary is just 2.3 miles northwest of the park in Altoona at 1828 Lynn Ave. Altoona, WI 54720.

Regis Middle School and Regis High School are both located 3.4 miles away, northwest of the park at 2100 Fenwick Ave. Eau Claire, WI 54701.

Immanuel Lutheran is another parochial school which comprises a high school, college and seminary and is located 5.8 miles southwest of Hillcrest at 501 Grover Rd, Eau Claire, WI 54701.

Shopping and Restaurants

Groceries

Less than a mile away from the park residents can pick up items at the Mega Mart convenience store west on US Route 12. For weekly shopping needs and a greater selection of groceries, Nearby Festival Foods offers another local grocery chain with fresh produce, including a dedicated organic section, a bakery and deli, a meat and seafood department, and a wine and spirits department. They offer a hot bar providing prepared, hot meals that change daily, and for parents shopping with children, supervised childcare and a play room so parents can shop stress-free.

Restaurants

Just steps away from Hillcrest is one of the area’s most popular restaurants. Altoona Family Restaurant is an award-winning, family-owned establishment. Open seven days a week it serves classic American dishes like burgers and melts, BBQ and prime ribs, Italian entrées, and local Wisconsin specialties. Their hearty breakfasts are as famous as their friendly service. The restaurant has been voted “Best Breakfast Place” and “Best Restaurant” numerous times by the local press.

Five minutes west on US Route 12 is Happy Hollow Tavern, a popular local bar, offering food, drink specials, billiards, and darts. They have 20 big screen HD TVs for sports fans, arcade games, and music and dancing on the weekends.

Things to Do

Festivals and Events

Every winter Altoona hosts the Northwest Wisconsin Winterfest and Games during which frozen Lake Altoona is transformed into a festival ground featuring winter games, sports, live entertainment, and a bonfire. Crowds come to watch motorcycles, cars, snowmobiles and ATVs race on a frozen track, and teams can register to play a chilly game of outdoor softball and volleyball on the lake. Anglers can indulge in a 24-hour ice fishing contest, and families can enjoy heated entertainment tents with live bands performing on two stages, games, activities, and food.

Cinder City Days is a forty-four year tradition organized by the local Lions Club in June. It features four days of events which include parades, carnival rides, a karaoke sing-off contest, car and craft shows, sports tournaments, live bands, and a BBQ cook-off.

Right around the corner, the city of Eau Claire hosts many events, and is known for its popular music festivals, including the internationally-acclaimed Eaux Claires Music and Arts Festival each summer. Proximity to these events make Hillcrest Estates a convenient place to enjoy the music and the culture of the area.

Parks and Outdoor Recreation

The city of Altoona provides residents with many opportunities for recreation, leisure, and enrichment. Lake Altoona Park (just north of Hillcrest Estates), offers numerous recreation opportunities. Facilities at the park include a clubhouse with a picnic shelter and a large fireplace which can be rented. It comes with a kitchen and enough space for 150 people. Popular activities at the lake include swimming, canoeing, boating, waterskiing, fishing, and volleyball. There is also a beach, with two boat landings, nature trails for hiking, picnic areas, and a playground. The Ski Sprites Water Ski Team performs a free, award-winning show at the beach from June until Labor Day to the delight of guests. The show takes place Wednesday and Sunday evenings at Altoona Beach.

Cinder City Park (3 miles away) is Altoona’s largest park covering 25 acres. It has four lighted baseball fields, a playground, restroom, and concession facilities.

Devney Park (1.3 miles to the west off US Route 12). The park has one lighted youth baseball field for a T-ball league, a playground, tennis courts, and basketball courts.

Every summer, the Parks and Recreation department publishes a summer program guide listing the sports programs, enrichment courses, and community events and classes offered at many locations and parks throughout the city. Families with young children will find a variety of pre-school programs and activities available. Youths and adults with an interest in athletics have the opportunity to join classes, leagues, and teams which run the gamut from youth soccer camp to an adult softball league.

A full listing of local community events and activities can also be found on the events calendar at of VolumeOne, a local website and magazine.