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
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
Token Creek County Park and Natural Resource Area Master Plan
A public information meeting to review draft master plan alternatives for the park and natural resource
area was held on Thursday, March 25th, 7:00pm at the Windsor Town Hall, 4084 Mueller Road, DeForest,
WI 53532.
Comments on the draft plans will be accepted through April 25th, 2010. Please email comments
to james@co.dane.wi.us, or mail them to Chris James, Dane County
Parks, 1 Fen Oak Ct., Room 234, Madison, WI 53718. You may also contact Mr. James directly by phone at
608-224-3763.
March 2010 Draft Master Plans for Review:
For further information about the master plan, please contact Chris James, Park Planner at 608-224-3763.
Capital Springs State Recreation Area Master Plan
A resolution to adopt the preferred alternative master plan will be introduced to the Dane County
Park Commission on Wednesday, May 12th, please watch the County website for additional meeting details.
If approved by the Park Commission, the resolution will be introduced to the County Board on Thursday,
May 20th and referred to committees for approval. The plan is anticipated to be considered for adoption
by the County Board on Thursday, June 17th, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Board on
Wednesday, June 23rd.
For further information, contact Chris James, Park Planner, 608-224-3763.
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.
March 16th, 2010 Public Input Meeting Documents
November 3rd, 2009 Public Input Meeting Documents
For further information about the master plan, please contact Sara Kwitek, Acquisition and Planning Specialist at 224-3611.
Adopted Master Plans
Badger Prairie County Park Master Plan
Cam-Rock Park Master Plan
Donald Park Master Plan
Lake View Hill Park 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.