Dane County Parks • 1 Fen Oak Ct #208 Madison, Wisconsin 53718 • Info Line: 608-242-4576 • dane-parks@co.dane.wi.us

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 (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.

Badger Prairie County Park Master Plan - Draft

Dane County Parks planning staff is working to complete a Master Plan for Badger Prairie County Park. Comments on the draft plan will be accepted through May 31st, 2009. For more information contact Chris James, Park Planner at 608-224-3763, or email james@inco.dane.wi.us.cn.

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 18th, 2009 Public Input Meeting Documents

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 - Click for full-size photo Cam-Rock Park Master Plan

Donald Park - Click for full-size photo Donald Park Master Plan

Lake View Hill Park Master Plan

Dane County Parks hired Ken Saiki Design, Inc. to develop a Master Plan for Lake View Hill County Park as identified in the 2006 - 2011 Dane County Parks and Open Space Plan. Lake View Hill is a small 41-acre park located in the northern part of the City of Madison along Northport Drive. The park surrounds the Dane County Health and Human Services Department office buildings.

Below are the documents and public input meeting materials that were developed as part of the master planning process that took place in 2008.

For further information about the park master plan, please email Sara Kwitek (Dane County Acquisition and Planning Specialist) at Kwitek@co.dane.wi.us.

Schumacher Farm - Click for full-size photo 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.

Constructing a shelter at a Dane County park

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.