<![CDATA[Bill Lunney for Healthy Parks - Blog: About Dane County Parks]]>

<![CDATA[Bill Lunney for Healthy Parks - Blog: About Dane County Parks]]>Sat, 11 May 2024 17:21:08 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Parks more essential than ever]]>Mon, 11 May 2020 22:10:30 GMThttp://lunney4healthyparks.org/blog-about-dane-county-parks/parks-more-essential-than-ever Our community is reaping the benefits of years of public and private support of our County, City, and Local Park Systems. We are blessed with nearly 15000 acres of County parkland alone and a healthy number of important City and Local Parks. These are amazing resources and are free and readily available to the people in this region

Now more than ever we need our Parks and Trails to be open and safe. Recent studies summarized by UW Professor Dr James Stein conclude that the risk of getting COVID is less when you are outdoors, in open spaces; and even less when one practices social distancing. The virus droplets when outside are more easily dispersed and more readily become harmless. So Parks and open space areas can be significant resources to provide relatively safe venues for people to exercise, with safe, limited socialization. It has been understood for many years that access to the outdoors is essential for good physical and mental health and this again demonstrates that fact. (It is a health prescription for which you don't have to pay money.)

This concept is practiced in Dane County as one only has to look at the crowded parking lots to know that people are taking advantage of these resources during this challenging time.

For Dane County Parks alone, with limited data collection there was an increase between 27% to 36% in park users in March/April over the same time last year and staff estimates peg the number above 40% in. County Parks like Indian Lake, Pheasant Branch and Lunney Lake Farm for example. Additionally, multi-use trails like the Capital City Trail and the Lower Yahara River Trail experienced even larger increase with estimates of users running between 40 and 45 percent increase. Similar increases occurred at many State Parks.

Spring is here, visit a park, and bask in nature while practicing social distancing. Remember a Park is not just a piece of land, it is a vibrant part of a community and it is a place for people to connect to the natural beauty around us.

Lunney Lake Farm Park on a Misty Morning

]]><![CDATA[PARKS ENDOWMENT SUPPORTS FRIENDS GROUPS AND VOLUNTEERS]]>Mon, 30 Apr 2018 00:06:39 GMThttp://lunney4healthyparks.org/blog-about-dane-county-parks/parks-endowment-supports-friends-groups-and-volunteersOver the years it has become increasingly evident that our Parks have a group of passionate supporters -- people who love nature and our Parks and want to do something to help. Some are champions of one or maybe two parks while others are passionate about an aspect of the environment like, fishing, gardening, bicycling, etc. So in the early nineties Parks Director Ken LePine, Commissioner Bud Morton and I, as Parks Chair, started the volunteer program called the Adult Conservation Team. Soon it was so successful that a full-time position was allocated to support our volunteers.

As the program grew it became obvious to the Parks Commission that there was not enough money to fund the many worthwhile projects that Friends and volunteers wanted to do with their parks--support from

government was just not going to do it. Also I felt that we needed independent financial support for our Parks and not always have to rely on the money from the County Board and Executive which can change very quickly.

So the Dane County Parks Commission developed a program to create an endowment which was approved by the County Board and Executive and endorsed by both major Madison newspapers. In order to raise funds, I formed a committee which came to be known as The Friends of Dane County Parks. The endowment's purpose is augmenting and supporting volunteerism, providing education and interpretation and helping build volunteer capacity. The Endowment which cannot supplant other parks allocations is held in and managed by the Madison Community Foundation.

One of the important questions is how will this affect the existing Friends groups. This endowment is not intended to be a competitor to the fund raising of the Friends groups. Quite the contrary it is to be a significant supporter of the Friends groups and not a competitor.

What do I mean? Dane county has a wealth of public and personal support for our Parks. Many people will give money to their park while others are willing to give to the parks generally and others will give to both. We view this as a partnership with the Friends groups. So far we have raised just under our first benchmark of $500,000 in around four years. We anticipate beginning to allocate a small part of the interest back to individual Friends groups with the active advice of the Friends groups within the next year as we anticipate continuing to grow the corpus.

Also we have found that in order to get funds from larger funders and family foundations, we needed to be incorporated and have an IRS 501c3 designation. So we formalized the Friends of Dane County Parks, Inc. to raise money sponsor individual Park Friend groups. Once that designation is received, we can be a fiscal agent for new groups just starting out and wanting to support the parks. Also it allowed us to have a formal relationship with Dane County Parks.

Friends groups come in all sizes and with varying needs. We want to hear about those needs both large and small before any disbursements are made.

As we evolve we anticipate a vibrant and respectful partnership with our many Friends groups and volunteers. The beauty of this endowment is that we can begin spending the interest and that corpus amount will be there in perpetuity to support and build the present and future generations of Friends groups and volunteers. Thus providing a growing source of funds to support our beautiful county parks.
]]><![CDATA[Parks Are Dane County's Gift]]>Fri, 29 Dec 2017 20:23:01 GMThttp://lunney4healthyparks.org/blog-about-dane-county-parks/parks-are-dane-countys-gift

As the holiday season is here I am reminded of what wonderful gifts have been bestowed to the Dane County Parks over the years. Our Dane County Park System has enjoyed a legacy of extraordinary private philanthropy from the beginning 80 years ago. With over 15000 acres, our County Parks system would not be the same without the generosity of the many conservation donors. Some donate land, others financial resources and still others their time, expertise and just plain hard work.

Of note, private philanthropy has provided nearly 20% of the public parkland and natural resources that comprise the Dane County park system. Donated by families and communities, that land has been the backbone of some of our most popular parks and wildlife areas including for example Donald Park, McCarthy Park, Festge Park, Anderson Park, Cam Rock Park, Schumacher Farm Park, Lussier Park and Silverwood Park. Another example was the Lussier family's contribution to help build the Heritage Center at Lake Farm Park.

A recent example is the donation of Morton Park and Forest near Mazomanie with its majestic views of the Blue Mounds. The donation by Steve Morton included a wonderful viewing platform and a self-sustaining endowment for the perpetual care and stewardship of this valuable land treasure.

Our communities' generosity is not just in land. Recently the Friends of Dane County Parks Endowment has been formed by the Pfeifer-Lunney and Lewis families with a group of conservation minded citizens. In partnership with the Madison Community Foundation and with the support of the County Executive and Board, the Friends have already raised over $450,000 of cash contributions for an endowment to provide for perpetual support for our Parks and volunteer program. That amount is in addition to the numerous donations that annually arrive at the Parks office for memorials and just to do good.

Finally we have over 3000 volunteers who work to support our Parks system augmented by 16 formal Friends groups organized around particular parks. In 2016, they contributed an estimated 60,000 hours of work and planted 5,000 trees. Additionally, they help with many other activities including trail building and upkeep, educational programming, wildlife and water quality monitoring .

So we have many gifts to be thankful for this year and can be encouraged about the future of our Parks and Trails in Dane County. A park is not just a piece of land it is a gift to the community and will be its legacy.

Link to Dane County Parks Website

]]><![CDATA[Lower Yahara River Trail & Bridge Opens]]>Thu, 14 Sep 2017 07:00:00 GMThttp://lunney4healthyparks.org/blog-about-dane-county-parks/lower-yahara-river-trail-bridge-opens

With the grand opening of the spectacular bridge and boardwalk across Lake Waubesa, Dane County has taken a major step in linking our Parks and Trails to a system connecting our communities and natural resources. The engineering masterpiece spans nearly two and one half miles of shoreline and wetlands across the northern portion of lake Waubesa. It will be the longest pedestrian and bicycle bridge in Wisconsin and perhaps the Midwest.

Parks, and Trails are much more than asphalt and wood, they unite communities. This bridge and trail provides a gateway connection from Southeastern Dane County linking McFarland through McDaniel Park with the 2500 acre Capital Springs Recreation Area and Lake Farm County Park.

But parks and trails are not just pieces of land, they are for people to recreate, relax and reflect while enjoying nature's bounty. This new bridge and trail will increase access to a wide variety of activities including hiking, bicycling, birding, picnicking, and disc golf.

Trails become destinations for visitors and tourists. Dane County Parks alone attracts over 2 and a half million visitors per year and the Capital City trail already has over 150,000 users a year and with this new addition a significant increase in both Park and trail use has already occurred.

Probably the most impressive aspect of the bridge is not in its popularity but in the public commitment to do this right. Under the leadership of County Executive Joe Parisi and the support of the County Board it took many years of effort by many professionals including Parks' Chris James. The sensitivity shown for the archeology and native cultural treasures around the trail was painstaking and involved much cooperation from the Ho Chunk Nation.

A large part of this trail corridor are on the National Register of Historic Places for significant Native American history, yet the process preserved this timeless corridor for future generations to visit and enjoy.

In addition, the Friends of Capital Springs Recreation Area have sponsored an interpretive signage plan that highlighted the rich Native American history of this region, we look forward to expanding this plan and adding signage to the trail with guidance from the Ho-Chunk Nation.
But the construction care didn't stop there. The careful scientific methods to preserve and even enhance our environmental treasures was done with the utmost of care. We have already seen improved natural habitats in the lake and wetlands. The construction also includes access and a fishing pier for people with physical challenges.

Moreover, eventually it will become the major link for a planned trail system connecting southern Dane County - Stoughton all the way north to Madison. That system will link Viking, Lafollette, Babcock and Lake Farm county parks, Lake Kegonsa State Park, Mc Daniel Park and Lakes Waubesa and Kegonsa and the Lower Yahara River. Our plan is to have a trail system connecting all four major lakes for hiking bicycling and even canoeing.

We will treasure this spectacular engineering and environmental masterpiece for many years to come. Many thousands of people will now be able to see and enjoy the lake and its environmental beauties in ways we have never seen before.

We are putting together a necklace of green trails in Dane County linking our communities and parks for the enjoyment of our citizens for decades in the future. With this, a major link to that necklace has been forged.

]]><![CDATA[Morton Forest - donated to Dane County]]>Wed, 26 Oct 2016 23:06:51 GMThttp://lunney4healthyparks.org/blog-about-dane-county-parks/morton-forest

Dane County has very generous people, both with their time and their resources. Over the years our County Parks have been the beneficiary of that generosity. Land donations have added over 2000 acres to our Park system which is about 1/6 of the system's total. Without those families and their generosity, our Park system would not have become the enduring resource for the people of our County. Now another generous donor, Steve Morton, has come forward and added a beautiful forest to our system for people to enjoy - Morton Forest.

Several reasons explain these donations. First, they come from the donor's ethic and belief that the land is not just a resource to be exploited for personal gain but instead is to be passed on to others to enjoy. Aldo Leopold captured that when he said "We abuse land because we see it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.” Second, the land has to have special qualities and fit into an environmental plan for the community. Third, people realize that their land needs perpetual care and professional management beyond their capacity and expertise. Fourth, government or private organizations like Land Trusts or public Foundations with a permanent structure and professional management are available to support the upkeep. Five, trusting relationships between the individuals and those who manage the entities, including the staff, and the governing bodies, needs to be ongoing. Finally, there has to be the emotional connection to the gift and what it will accomplish. These elements came together at Morton Forest.

Bill Lunney, Joe Parisi and Steve Morton

Steven Morton is a very special man. While always shying away from the spotlight, his generosity has been felt in many quarters of our community. But it is at Morton Forest where that generosity will be felt for generations to come. The Forest had been in his family for more than a half century and in 1999 he started a partnership with Dane County Parks which finally culminated in this donation in 2016.

Located in the drift less Area and with a spectacular view of Blue Mound, Morton Forest is a peaceful setting nestled in the beautiful landscapes of Western Dane County. The native forests and scenic overlooks are just spectacular. It will not only be a gem for recreation, hiking and enjoyment of the outdoors it can become a laboratory for young people and those of all ages to learn about our natural environment. Steve's wishes for the land to be a source for passive recreation such as hiking and birding will of course dictate the Forests future uses.

What is equal significance is the Steve recognized that it isn't just enough to donate the land, it is equally important to help finance the County's future stewardship of the land. To that end he has created endowments at the Madison Community Foundation to provide for and assist the county in long-term care, upkeep and improvement of this wonderful natural resource and to help develop a Friends group so that community engagement will be fostered from the beginning.

So all together we have formally added another wonderful gem to our necklace of green that is our Parks System. It captures the rapturous beauty of the hills of western dane county for all of us to enjoy and provides a source of pride for the community. It will be a place where people can reconnect with the natural beauty around us and bathe in the peacefulness of natural resources. So thank you Steve not only from us but from those who will follow.

Dane County Parks Morton Forest Link

]]><![CDATA[Capital Springs Recreation Area]]>Sat, 20 Aug 2016 00:34:15 GMThttp://lunney4healthyparks.org/blog-about-dane-county-parks/capital-springs-recreation-area

Introduction: Located immediately south and within 15 minutes of downtown Madison, the Capital Springs Recreation Area covers nearly 2,500 acres of Parkland. The area is jointly managed by Dane County and the DNR and is composed of several distinct units including: Lake Farm County Park, the Lake Waubesa Shoreline, the Lewis E-Way, The Lussier Family Heritage Center, Jenni and Kyle Preserve, the Nevin Fish Hatchery, the Monona Wetlands, the Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District Wildlife Observation Area, the Capital City State Trail and several municipal Parks managed by the cities of Fitchburg and Madison. With these many diverse resources the Area was officially designated as Capital Springs in 2000 and chosen as one of two Centennial State Parks. With its proximity to a large population center, the park and recreation area provides a large natural resource area for thousands people each year and its importance will continue to grow.

Natural Resources: Identified by Professor Phillip Lewis in the late 1960s as part of his visionary E-Way concept, the Capital Springs State Recreation Area can be described as a vast east/west oriented wetland complex with spring fed Nine Springs Creek traveling down the center. Gentle, rolling hills composed of ground moraine are located primarily to the north and south of this wetland complex providing for diverse plant and animal life. The hydrology of the recreation area is one of its most notable attributes, with a number of springs and associated recharge areas supplying a high quality flow to the Nine Springs Creek and on to Lake Waubesa. Over 1100 acres of wetlands retaining rainwater, buffering floods, recharging groundwater, and filtering runoff are protected by this Park.

High quality, rare, or significant natural communities present within the recreation area include southern sedge meadow, shrub-carr and a shallow hard drainage lake emergent aquatic community. Two rare, plant species—white lady’s slipper and yellow giant hyssop have been documented. The most common wildlife species seen throughout the recreation area are deer, turkey, sandhill cranes, hawks, pheasant, fox, and a variety of waterfowl. The Area also includes Upper Mud Lake with an abundance of pan fish.

Cultural Resources: Many historic sites have been identified in the Capital Springs Recreation Area. The greatest concentration of archaeological resources is found within the Lake Farm County Park Unit and the areas along the shore of Lake Waubesa. Artifacts discovered included several dating back to the Early Archaic and Late Woodland periods. Intensive study of the area identified 32 prehistoric sites in Lake Farm Park alone and led to its designation as a location on the National Register of Historic Places. The area along Lake Waubesa was very attractive to native peoples including the Ho Chunk Nation due to an abundance of fish, shellfish, wild game, nuts, and berries making settlement particularly attractive. As a result of this long history of settlement, E-Way and Capital Springs are a treasure of human history. Several other Indian Mounds have been discovered in other areas of the Park. Information suggests that Ho Chunk people lived along the lake as late as the 1930's.

Recreational Resources: As its name implies, the Area has a wealth of active and less intense recreational options including, bicycling, walking and hiking along the Capital City State Trail and the E-Way trails. Birding opportunities abound including the Observation Area near the lagoons at Madison Metropolitan Sewerage Complex. Many songbirds such as bobolinks, Henslowe's sparrow, grasshopper sparrow, savanna sparrow, and sedge wren have been seen. Recent additions include a dog exercise area and a first class disc golf course. Nine Springs Creek, the Yahara River, and Lake Waubesa provide watercraft access to the Recreation Area. Through the hard work and dedication of the Friends group and County staff, new hiking and canoeing trails are available in several areas of the Park providing views of the Lake, wetlands, and connecting park amenities to neighborhoods. A special area for meditation is the Jenni and Kyle preserve, designed particularly for people with physical challenges.

Bicycle access to the recreation area is special due to its central location. Trails link to a number of regional bicycle trail systems, including the Military Ridge, Badger, and Glacial Drumlin State Trails and making the recreation area a hub for the region. A number of spur trails and bridges have been cleared by the Friends of Capital Springs and Dane County to improve pedestrian and bicycle connectivity to adjacent residential areas. To be completed by 2017, a new bridge and trestle will use an existing railroad grade to cross Lake Waubesa and provide bicycle/pedestrian access to the Village of McFarland and beyond. Additionally, Upper Mud Lake is one of the most popular spots for fishing year-round in Southern Wisconsin.

Units of The Recreation Area Include:
The Lewis E-Way: The Capital Springs Recreation Area follows the land identified by the visionary Professor Phillip Lewis. The E-Way, is a unique Environmental corridor with land and water resources, It provides a wonderful Ecological and cultural mixture at Lake Farm Park and a venue for Education and Exercise. The E-Way gives us a place to reflect and enjoy the Esthetic natural beauty around us..

The Jenni and Kyle Preserve: Located on Post Road, it is special place within the recreation area, designed to be used by people who have physical and mental challenges. The mural erected there is beautiful.

The Nevin Fish Hatchery: Located near the west end of the Park and operated by DNR, this historic building is still functioning as a regional fish hatchery growing many of Wisconsin's game and recreational fish.

Lake Farm County Park: The signature park in the Recreation Area covering 380 acres of archeologically significant land and Lakeshore as well as the Lussier Heritage Center. The Park provides diverse recreational opportunities.

Capital Springs State Shoreline: The beautiful area immediately south of Lake Farm Park provides views of beautiful Lake Waubesa, hiking trails along the shore and out to Hogg Island, a special peninsula jutting out into the Lake.

MMSD Wildlife Observation Unit: Located in the North part of the Area, the unit provides unique opportunities for wildlife observation and is a destination for birding year-round.

Disc Golf and Dog Exercise Area: Developed by the County, and located in the southern part of the Area, these amenities are popular destinations for many.

Capital City State Trail: Traversing the Recreation Area, the trail is one of the main arteries in the park providing bicycling trails connecting to many other local and regional trails.

Friends of Capital Springs and Partnerships: Friends of Capital Springs is essential to coordinate the work in the park and management of its natural resources.
Capital Springs is managed by several units of government including Dane County, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District, the Cities of Fitchburg and Madison. Shared ownership provides opportunities and challenges. The Recreation Area Management Agreement formally vests the role of coordinating and planning for the Recreation Area in the Friends. The Friends provide the consistent vision and coordination as well and the ability to leverage financial resources. Moreover, the Friends have been the focus for engaging the community in this unique resource. In addition to fund raising, the Friends developed partnerships with MMSD and other municipalities, conducted significant invasive removal and stewardship of the land and water, sponsored community outreach activities, facilitated educational tours, water quality monitoring and cultural events.

Friends of Capital Springs Website Link

]]><![CDATA[Pheasant Branch Conservancy]]>Fri, 12 Aug 2016 21:52:40 GMThttp://lunney4healthyparks.org/blog-about-dane-county-parks/pheasant-branch-conservancy

Introduction: Located on Pheasant Branch Road near Middleton and within sight of the North Mendota shoreline, Pheasant Branch Conservancy is an extraordinary natural resource area containing the cultural and ecological features that create a magical location. It provides water quality protection, extraordinary views of the peaceful wetlands below, and panoramic views of majestic Lake Mendota, and the Madison skyline. The area is a recreational asset providing regular access and destination for thousand of walkers, runners, cyclists and those who want a peaceful respite. Composed of over 500 acres, the Conservancy is a partnership between Dane County, the City of Middleton and the DNR. Native Americans were first to appreciate this site and they chose it for burial and ceremonial purposes. From the top of the landmark Frederick Hill located on the county property, one can see a variety of extremely valuable wetland communities fed by plentiful springs. These breathe life to the Conservancy, and include wildlife as well as wooded low land and oak woods and remnants of Native American habitation.

Natural Resources: The Conservancy's natural features are diverse and plentiful and comprise part of a much larger riparian ecosystem. The wetlands represent the endpoint of a large suburban and agricultural watershed. Containing several channels and fed by over 60,000 gallons of water per hour. The wetlands offer a pattern of habitat for birds, wildlife and other water related species. Significant species include the endangered Blanding's Turtle, as well as two small mammal species. A state endangered plant, the wall petunia, has been observed. Wild rice beds have been found in the center of the marsh, providing a valuable food source for waterfowl including Mallards, Blue Teal, Pintail Coots and Wood Ducks. The health of the marsh is greatly dependent on proper management of the upper reaches of the Pheasant Branch. Ecologically sensitive areas are found on the upper areas and the hill, including a dry Hill Prairie located on the south and west sides of the Knoll. Protection of this area is essential to maintain a healthy downstream system. Other prairie areas around the uplands have been restored by the County and Friends of Pheasant Branch. The Bock Forest located in the Conservancy adds significant woodland communities.

Cultural Resources: The area's story began approximately 12,000 years ago when great ice deposits receded and the water immediately created the Yahara Lakes basin and neighboring watercourses like Pheasant Branch. Humans began to occupy the exposed land soon thereafter to take advantage of plentiful wildlife as food sources. Some of those early settlers identified the area in their language as "turkey". Evidence of generally continuous habitation has been found. Conical Indian burial mounds dated between 500 and 1200 A.D. have been found in the Conservancy, including mounds along the crest of the Frederick Knoll. These are available for viewing and provide immeasurable cultural and historic value. A second group of effigy mounds from the hill have not been preserved due to years of farming.

There is evidence that in 1837, Indian Leader Chief Black Hawk and his followers, desperate for food, camped near the Pheasant Branch during his flight from the US Army toward the Wisconsin River. Soon afterward, early pioneers came to the area around 1840. The area was quickly included in the larger settlement called Middleton. Eventually as the population grew, nearby land owners farmed and developed the area causing erosion and other pollution issues. Beginning in the 1960s the City of Middleton, DNR and later Dane County took affirmative steps to preserve the conservancy and its original natural beauty.

Recreation Resources: Trails, trails, and more trails populate the area. From the beginning of the Conservancy's development, historic trail locations presented a significant opportunity for the establishment of many of the trails used today. As the population has grown and the Conservancy discovered, the area provides for the active enjoyment of a significant trail system primarily for walking hiking, cycling and running. It is typical to see trail users populating the Conservancy morning, noon and night. The relatively newly acquired Bock Forest has added additional trails and enhanced significantly the value of the area from ecological, recreational and natural beauty perspectives.

The area has been recognized for centuries for its very special location. It offers a unique view of Lake Mendota, the watershed and the State Capitol combined with the abundant wildlife in the wetland area and the lovely prairies populating the hillsides. The view from Fredrick Hill is breathtaking making the hike to the top worthwhile. People can appreciate the lovely prairies as well as the expansive vista from that vantage point. A viewing platform is installed here through the efforts of Friends of Pheasant Branch and Dane County.

Wildlife viewing options abound primarily from areas around the wetland as well as other permitted outdoor activities. Canoe access into the Conservancy upstream from Lake Mendota is fairly easy depending clearances in the creek. The area around the major spring is fairly undisturbed allowing views and interpretation of the springs. The wetland's quiet beauty provides a passive recreational setting.

Friends of Pheasant Branch and Government Partnerships: The Conservancy is managed by the City of Middleton, Dane County and the DNR. In parks and natural resource areas where there is more than one governmental entity, the Friends groups take on extra importance as they have the consistent vision and ability to leverage financial resources. While joint ownership provides significant opportunities and challenges the Friends of Pheasant Branch are essential to coordinate the work. Moreover, the Friends of Pheasant Branch have been a consistent voice and focus for engaging the community in this unique resource. In addition to fund raising, the Friends conduct community outreach activities, educational tours, cultural events, invasive removal and stewardship of the land and water.

Regional Impacts, Opportunities and Challenges: Pheasant Branch provides a critical link with other related water and land resources in the North Mendota area and is a major point anchoring much broader land preservation efforts. Other area resources include but are not limited to: old Glacial Lake Middleton Mendota County Park, Bellefontaine Metropolitan refuge district, Dorn Creek, Governor Nelson State Park, St. Benedict's Center (Holy Wisdom) and parts of Bishops Bay, Six Mile Creek, Westport Drumlin and Cherokee Marsh.

Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy Link

Pheasant Branch Video Link

Friends Video on Conservancy History Link

]]><![CDATA[Donald Park]]>Wed, 03 Aug 2016 16:15:20 GMThttp://lunney4healthyparks.org/blog-about-dane-county-parks/donald-park

Introduction: The story of Donald Park encompasses our geologic past interwoven with some of the earliest native settlers in the area and melded with early European immigrants. All of this natural and cultural history was nurtured by two visionary women and their families ultimately giving birth to the Donald Park we know today. Delma Donald Woodburn a lifelong resident of the farmstead and Patricia (Pat) Hitchcock her neighbor formed a bond from their mutual love of the land, water and natural resources. That bond gave life and permanence to this beautiful majestic area and made it available for people of future generations to enjoy.

The over 750 acres comprising Donald Park are some of the most glorious sweeping landscapes of Dane County. Located in the Southwestern part of the County off State Highway 92 South of Mt. Horeb, the area narrowly escaped the glacial onslaught and instead is within Dane County’s drift less or unglaciated area. The park’s terrain is characterized by many hills and valleys with significant rock outcroppings. One of those outcroppings neighboring the Park is the majestic and locally famous Donald Rock. Within the Sugar River watershed, the park includes several world class streams and waterways.

Natural Resources: Located in the drift less area, the park’s terrain is characterized by many hills and valleys, interesting rock outcroppings and resultant scenic views. Valley wall slopes can have sheer drops at rock outcroppings. Formed many millions of years ago, retreating seas leaving 100 foot deep rock deposits of dolomite and shale behind. Erosion and nature has shaped the land ever since. Rivers and streams such as Deer Creek, Fryes Feeder and Mt. Vernon Creek eroded the top layers of rocks to expose outcroppings in the park including the outcrop located at Town Hall Road and STH 92, Donald Rock. Other outcroppings such as the Mt. Vernon Rocks are located at the southeast end of the park. Vegetative communities of the park include Civilian Conservation Corps pine plantations, oak savanna, and restored prairies as well as a Red Pine plantation. Prairie restoration continues throughout the park.Fed by cold water springs several of the highest quality streams and watercourses run through the Park. These streams are buffered and in many locations have been cleared to their native condition. These are havens for wildlife. One can sometimes see a trout swimming in the cold water.

Cultural History and Resources: Majestic Donald Rock, a large sandstone remnant was most certainly an important landmark to the native cultures that visited and lived in the valley, especially to the Ho Chunk nation. There is evidence that human habitation occurred on the land which is now the park as early as 13000 years ago. In more recent times. descendants of early area settlers wrote of a Ho Chunk family that annually camped nearby as late as the 1930s. Other native settlements have been identified near Donald Rock, including possible camps or village sites. Rock art that precedes the advent of the Ho Chunk Nation can also be found. Numerous relics discovered on area farms and early mappings of mounds in the valley are further evidence of extensive pre-European activity.

The nucleus for Donald Park can be traced to one family that became permanent mid-nineteenth century settlers in the Springdale Township valley - a family that would make its mark on local, state, national and international affairs. The Donald farmstead, on the National Register of Historic Places, is of particular significance because it was the home of former State Legislator and public official John Sweet Donald. Existing sites on this farm include the farmhouse, built around 1859 with late 19th century additions of many farming related buildings.

Around the beginning of the 20th century John settled into the Donald home. Trained as a Dentist he devoted his full time to farming and later serving in the State Legislature. John was active in organizations with an appreciation of the environment. He established the Forest of Fame, a park in Mt Vernon and he served as president and one of the founders of the Friends of Our Native Landscape, a group dedicated to preserving the natural environment. Like her parents, Delma was passionate about nature, and in 1993 donated the precious land to Dane County Parks for the public to enjoy forever.

South of Mt Vernon Creek, the Foy Homestead foundation can be found. The Foy cabin was possibly the first cabin in the area and is slowly being restored by the Friends group. The Jones cabin location is now in the form of a rectangular pit, just south of Deer Creek. A Finnish style, oak log cabin was built on the Hitchcock property northwest of the farmstead for recreational purposes.

Much of the land of Donald Park had been in the Donald, Woodburn and Hitchcock families for over a century. Each of those families were stewards of the land, treating it as a resource for the future and not for private gain. The shared vision of Delma and Pat has given the community a lasting heritage. That vision and commitment will be enjoyed for countless years in the future.

Recreational Resources: Perhaps one of the greatest attributes of Donald Park is the outstanding view sheds throughout the park. Several vistas are located within the wooded hilltop ridges along the southern boundary of the park.Scenic views are not limited to the park's high points. The sweeping open views of the Mt. Vernon/Deer Creek bottom running east west through the park make for pleasant experiences as one imagines similar open space vistas from past centuries.

The Parks Equestrian Trails provide some of the finest experiences in the region for those who enjoy horseback riding. Hiking , running and picnicking are popular pastimes as well. One of the unique aspects of this park are the many high quality streams and watercourses running through it. These streams are available for active trout fishing as well as more passive relaxation. Mount Vernon Creek, Fryes Feeder, and Deer Creek are classified by the State as Exceptional Resource Waters, with Mount Vernon

Creek receiving the highest classification rating. Portions of Mt. Vernon Creek are also classified as Class I trout stream by the DNR, meaning that brook, brown and rainbow trout are native and can successfully reproduce there.

Friends Groups: With the leadership of the Friends of Donald Park, nature hikes, environmental education, cultural resource protection, cross-country skiing, and historical interpretation are all available within the large expanse of parkland.

The Friends are the backbone of volunteer support for the Park. With an active Board and over two hundred members the Friends have worked on projects that are necessary to provide for healthy habitat for plant and animal life, Eventually their work will portray the cultural history of the park through visual reminders of the homesteads of earlier settlers. One of the most popular events is the annual Father's Day at Pop's Knoll picnic and celebration. Trout Unlimited with its volunteers has worked with County staff on the trout streams meticulously restoring the natural water flow and water quality.

Friends of Donald Park Website Link

]]><![CDATA[Indian Lake County Park]]>Mon, 18 Jul 2016 22:41:12 GMThttp://lunney4healthyparks.org/blog-about-dane-county-parks/indian-lake-county-park

Introduction. Recognized as one of the finest County Parks in Wisconsin, the 480 acre Indian Lake County Park is located about 20 miles northwest of Madison in the Town of Berry on State Highway 19. Nestled in a quiet rural Valley surrounded by woodland and rolling meadows, the park features outstanding natural and historic resources melded with diverse and dramatic topography. Partially sculpted by the glaciers more than 20,000 years ago, the Park features steep slopes of exposed rock, hills with spectacular views of the valleys below with its rolling meadows and narrow draws as well as views of the 67 acre Indian Lake and adjacent marsh.

Natural Resources. The last Continental glacier, incorporating enormous quantities of rock material advanced across Dane County from the Northeast to the Southwest approximately 20,000 years ago. As the glaciers melted the unconsolidated material was dumped on the land forming varied surfaces exhibiting glacial features like kettles, moraines and drumlins. Large boulders are found in the draws on the valley floor could only have been carried from miles away by glaciers.

Indian Lake, formed by the glacial melt is the headwaters of Half Way Prairie Creek which flows many miles west. This topography has given rise to a diversity of plant communities including wetlands, remnants of prairie, oak woods, and sugar maple forest.

Cultural Resources. The park features the Historic Chapel "St. Mary of the Oaks" built in 1857 on a high bluff east of the lake by a German immigrant after his family had been spared from a diphtheria epidemic. Building materials were painstakingly carried from the valley by the family and used to build the Chapel. It is a unique park treasure for many visitors as it combines the history and culture of the area. Reached by a trail up the side of the bluff, it is a secular place used for quiet reflection and meditation.

The Kohlmann house west of the lake was built in 1867 by a German immigrant and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The house, originally part of the Park, is now privately owned and will have its physical appearance and its cultural and historic significance preserved.

A log cabin located within the park is used year-round for various park activities. It was built by campers at governor Nelson State Park and moved to Indian Lake County Park and reassembled in 1984.

Recreation Resources. Hiking, walking, fishing, running and cross country skiing options abound. Scenic vistas are many. Views from the trail going up the bluff to the historic Chapel east of the lake are lovely. At the top of the bluff, the view shed stretches west across the valley and encompasses the lake, marsh and nearby hills. Another outstanding view is on the Southwestern Hill which overlooks the Kohlmann house in the Western Meadows. A walking trail circumnavigates the lake and offers a peaceful sojourn.

Restoration of the lake as a fishing destination has been a high priority of Dane County and the Friends of Indian Lake. Progress on the lake and contiguous wetland has been made. Recently game fish have been successfully stocked and carp population dramatically reduced. One of Dane County's very popular pet exercise areas can be found in the Park.

Friends Group and Volunteers. The Friends of Indian Lake (FOIL) is a critical part of the Park's programming and long-term stewardship. The Friends sponsor trail runs, community educational events and recreational activities. FOIL has successfully added numerous amenities to the park and provided resources for the health of the Parks resources and recreational activities.

Friends of Indian Lake Website

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]]><![CDATA[Healthy Parks Tour: Cam Rock County Park]]>Sun, 26 Jun 2016 21:33:13 GMThttp://lunney4healthyparks.org/blog-about-dane-county-parks/healthy-parks-tour-cam-rock-county-parkCam Rock Park highlights

Dane County Park System consists of over 12000 acres of land with over fifty beautiful Parks, trails and natural resource areas. Many of these gems resulted from contributions and partnerships with landowners and the community and of course with a healthy boost from Mother Nature. From the time of the first Park in 1935, the community has been an active participant in the growth of our County Park system. Friends groups provide the backbone of the volunteer support. The site of our first Healthy Parks Tour, Cam Rock County Park, with more than 500 acres, is a shining example of community involvement.

Introduction: Located in Eastern Dane County between the Villages of Cambridge and Rockdale, Cam Rock Park began in 1970 with a significant donation from the Cambridge Foundation, which led to the land acquisition and development of this lovely area, The partnership between the county, the foundation and the community has fostered the growth of a beautiful, ecologically significant Park with land, water, trails and cultural amenities. When you visit it, you are struck with its natural beauty.

Natural Resources: Connecting the villages of Cambridge and Rockdale in Eastern Dane County through a trail system linked by several bridges, the park consists of 500 acres along the Koshkonong Creek, including panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Views to the Creek are plentiful and those from the southern points of the park up the Creek Valley are some of the parks best. The park is used for hiking, and other silent activities. Elegant prairies, and lovely stands of trees combine with recent tree plantings by the Friends group provide a peaceful respite. Shelter #3 with a panoramic view of the Park was dedicated in memory of former State Representative and Parks Commissioner Harland Everson. In 1973 Dane County made its first prairie planting in Cam Rock Park and thus began a nationally recognized prairie restoration program in County Parks.

Active Recreation. Visitors to the park can paddle the creek, walk, bicycle or run the trails alongside the Creek. Set aside in another area of the park is a challenging mountain bike trail attracting visitors from all of Southern Wisconsin.

Cultural History: The park contains the site of the original Mill Pond which is now a lovely wetland through which the creek flows. The Rockdale Mill property located in the park functioned as a feed and flour mill harnessing the power from Koshkonong Creek from 1847 to 1998. The mill was deconstructed in 2006 due to safety concerns but the materials are preserved for future reconstruction.

Near the mill site there can be found what locally is known as the beer cave. First used in the 1860s as a cellar for storage of brewery products by the Rockdale Brewery, the Cellar was constructed of limestone rock from local quarries and consists of three chambers with 3 feet thick walls and a roof over 4 feet thick. After the Brewery closed it was used in various ways. It has been rumored locally that it served as a storage locale during Prohibition. It became part of the Park in 1994 but it is now closed to the public until it is repaired.

Volunteer Support: With the great work of the Friends of Cam Rock, and partnership with Dane County, the Park serves as a vibrant part of the community. The Friends are the volunteer backbone performing many needed projects supporting the Park.

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