Planning & Development
On this page you'll find a number of links to plans and reports. If you have any questions or comments, we encourage you to get in touch with us. Note that the Parks and Open Space Plan (see below) includes a link to an on-line feedback form.
- Parks and Open Space Plan
- Project Plans (Final & Draft)
- Master Plans (Final & Draft)
- Trail Plans (Final & Draft)
- Park Development Projects
Parks and Open Space Plan
The primary purpose for completing a parks and open space plan is to identify the recreation and park land needs for the County for a five year time frame. In addition, the plan must be updated every five years in order to be eligible to apply for Department of Natural Resources State Stewardship funds.
Dane County Parks works closely with the DNR, local units of government, non-profit organizations and County residents to prepare this plan through a comprehensive public process.
- 2006-2011 Dane County Parks and Open Space Plan (Report only) (4.9 MB PDF)
- 2006-2011 Dane County Parks and Open Space Plan Map (1.2 MB PDF)
- 2006-2011 Dane County Parks and Open Space Plan Regional Trail Map (986 KB PDF)
Project Plans (Final & Draft)
Project plans may be prepared for Natural Resource Site study areas identified in the Dane County Parks and Open Space Plan to help identify significant cultural, natural, and historic resources. All plans follow an intensive consensus building public participation process before being finalized.
Please see page 23 of the 2001-2005 Dane County Parks and Open Space Plan for a more detailed description of the Natural Resource Sites.
- Patrick Marsh Project Plan (130 KB PDF)
- Black Earth Creek Project Plan
Text-only version (587 KB PDF)
Complete version (38 MB PDF)
Master Plans (Final & Draft)
Master plans for parks are completed to guide the development of park facilities and to provide the vision for any future expansion. Master Plans are not detailed construction documents, so additional plans and specifications must be created prior to implementing the Master Plan recommendations. All plans follow an intensive consensus building public participation process before being finalized.
Cam-Rock Park Master Plan (DRAFT)
- Draft - Cam-Rock Park Master Plan Report
- Draft - Cam-Rock Park Master Plan (1.5 MB PDF document)
- Draft - Mill Site
Donald Park Master Plan
- Donald Park Master Plan (Text-only version. 300 KB PDF document)
Posted March 23, 2006. - Donald Park Master Plan (Complete report. 5.5 MB PDF document)
Posted March 23, 2006.
Schumacher Farm Park Master Plan
- Schumacher Farm Master Plan Report (3 MB PDF document)
- Schumacher Farm Master Plan
Scheidegger County Forest Master Plan (DRAFT)
- Draft - Scheidegger County Forest Master Plan (Text-only version. 4.73MB PDF document)
Posted July 24 2007 - Draft - Scheidegger County Forest Master Plan (Complete report. 30.1MB PDF document)
Posted July 24 2007
Trail Plans (Final & Draft)
Dane County Parks partners with the State Department of Natural Resources and local units of government to plan and construct many miles of trails within the County.
- North Mendota Trail - planning anticipated winter 2006
- Lower Yahara River Trail - planning anticipated summer 2006
Park Development Projects
Dane County Parks staff work on a variety of park development projects throughout the season. Projects include picnic shelters, bicycle trails, boat ramps, fishing piers, playgrounds, shoreline stabilization, and kiosks to name a few. Pictured to the right is the construction of one of Dane County's shelters.
