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.
2006-2011 Dane County Parks & 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.
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.
Master Plans
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.
Draft Master Plans
Anderson County Park
Dane County Parks is working with SAA Design Group to prepare a master plan for that part of the Anderson Farm that was
purchased by Dane County. The master plan will identify opportunities for recreational use, natural resource restoration
and agricultural practices. Furthermore the master plan will include conceptual ideas for lands that Dane County may
purchase in the future.
For questions on the development of the plan, please contact Laura Guyer, Conservation Fund Manager, at 608.224-3765 or
guyer@countyofdane.com.
To view meeting materials and to submit comments, please visit the SAA Design Group website at:
http://www.saa-madison.com/community-comment/anderson-county-park.
Adopted Master Plans
Badger Prairie County Park Master Plan
Black Earth Creek Wildlife Area - Sunnyside Unit Master Plan
Capital Springs State Recreation Area Master Plan
Lake View Hill Park Master Plan
Token Creek County Park and Natural Resource Area Master Plan
Schumacher Farm Park Master Plan
Scheidegger County Forest Master Plan
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.
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.
Token Creek Disc Golf Course Expansion and Renovation
Dane County Parks is expanding the Vallarta-Ast Disc Golf Course at Token Creek by adding
an additional 9 holes. The existing course is the site of several national championship
events, and is recognized as one of the best disc golf courses in the country. The addition,
designed by local expert Larry Ast, is sure to get rave reviews and draw even more visitors to
this very popular course.
The new 9 will be located south and east of the existing course on the south side of the
main park road. Features of the new 9 will include both standard and championship tees on
each hole, sand filled bunkers and a conceptual island hole that is protected with a 66’
diameter boulder ring.
In addition, turf and playing surface renovation is being made to the first three holes of
the existing course. Three temporary holes are being provided until establishment.
Both the 9 hole expansion and the renovation is expected to be completed in June of 2012.
If you have questions, please contact Chris James, Park Planner, Dane County Parks at 608-224-3763.
Cap Springs Disc Golf and Dog Exercise Areas
Dane County Parks is constructing a 40-acre dog exercise area and an 18 hole disc golf
course along Lake Farm Road, just south of Libby Road as identified in the 2010 Capital
Springs Park Master Plan. These areas are anticipated to open in June 2012.
The dog exercise area will be on the eastern 40 acres, adjacent to Lake Farm Road.
It will include a separate area for small dogs and over a mile of gravel walking paths.
The disc golf area will be on the remaining portion to the west. Each hole will have both
standard and championship length tees. The course will be located within both woods and
prairie.
We hope you will enjoy these great additions to your park system!
If you have questions, please contact Chris James, Park Planner, Dane County Parks at 608-224-3763.