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.
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.
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.
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