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.

Capital Springs State Recreation Area Master Plan

An updated version of the Capital Springs State Recreation Area Master Plan will be released soon. For further information, please contract Chris James, Park Planner at 608-224-3763.

Badger Prairie County Park Master Plan

The Dane County Park Commission approved a resolution adopting the Badger Prairie Master Plan on January 13th, 2010. The resolution to adopt the plan will now be introduced to the County Board for consideration with adoption anticipated in February.

• Badger Prairie Park Master Plan Report (11.8 MB PDF document)

Black Earth Creek Natural Resource Area Property Master Plan

Planning staff is working together with a stakeholder team and consulting firm LanDesign to prepare a master plan for a 292-acre property (former Sunnyside Seed Farm) within the Black Earth Creek Natural Resource Area. The property is located near the intersection of Hwy 14 and Twin Valley Road in the Town of Middleton.

November 3rd, 2009 Public Input Meeting Documents

• Power Point Presentation
• Public Input Summary

For further information about the master plan, please contact Sara Kwitek, Acquisition and Planning Specialist at 224-3611.

Token Creek County Park and Natural Resource Area Master Plan

Dane County Parks planning staff is working together with a stakeholder team and consulting firm Bonestroo to prepare a draft master plan for Token Creek County Park and Natural Resource Area. The current master plan for the park is in need of updates to address current recreation trends and park usage.

May 18^th, 2009 Public Input Meeting Documents

• Power Point Presentation (900 KB PDF document)
• Public Input Summary (48 KB PDF document)

It’s anticipated that the next public information meeting will be held mid-July to review draft master plan alternatives.

For further information about the master plan, please contact Chris James, Park Planner at 608-224-3763.

Cam-Rock Park Master Plan

• Cam-Rock Park Master Plan Report (593 KB PDF document)
  • Appendix 3 – Mill Site Section View
  • Appendix 4 – Trail Greenway
• Cam-Rock Park Master Plan (1.5 MB PDF document)
• 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.
   

Lake View Hill Park Master Plan

• Lake View Hill Park Master Plan (Complete report. 5.97 MB PDF document)

Schumacher Farm Park Master Plan

• Schumacher Farm Master Plan Report (3 MB PDF document)
• Schumacher Farm Master Plan

Scheidegger County Forest Master Plan

• Scheidegger County Forest Master Plan Report (4.2 MB PDF document)

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.

Phase One Lower Yahara River Trail Planning

Dane County is working together with a stakeholder team and consulting firm Graef to prepare construction drawings and estimates for a multi use trail that would extend from the Capital City Trail at Lake Farm County Park to McDaniel Park in the Village of McFarland. The trail would be a combination of paved surface and boardwalk with several designated shore fishing stations. For further information about the trail, please contact Chris James, Dane County Parks Division at 608-224-3763.

• Presentation - 6/17/09 Public Meeting

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.