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Capital Springs Recreation Area

8/19/2016

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

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Pheasant Branch Conservancy

8/12/2016

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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

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Donald Park

8/3/2016

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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

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Bill Lunney has held leadership positions in many land conservation organizations in Wisconsin. He recently retired from chairing the Dane County Parks Commission after thirty years (was honored by having a park named after him), was former president of the Natural Heritage Land Trust, the Nature Conservancy of Wisconsin, the Friends of Wisconsin State Parks.

Capital Springs Recreation Area

Pheasant Branch Conservancy

Donald Park

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