Planning & Development
On this page you'll find information about a number of park plans, reports and
projects. If you have any questions or comments, we encourage you to contact the
Dane County Park Planner, Chris James at 608-224-3763 or by email at
james@countyofdane.com.
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
Fish Lake Natural Resource Area
Dane County Parks planning staff will begin working on a master plan that will
propose future management, recreation use and park facility development for the
Fish Lake Natural Resource Area. The County currently owns approximately 250
acres within the natural resource area boundary that includes both Fish Lake
and Lussier County Parks. The planning area will include lands surrounding Mud,
Fish and western portions of Crystal Lake that are within Dane County.
For questions on the development of the plan, please contact Chris James, Park
Planner, at 608.224.3763 or
james@countyofdane.com.
To view planning process materials or submit comments, please visit the
Dane County Fish Lake Natural Resource Area Master Plan webpage
Anderson Farm 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,
Real Estate & Acquisition Director, 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 the Wisconsin Department of Transportation,
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Wisconsin and Southern Railroad Company
and their consultant Graef to finalize environmental review, construction drawings
and agreements necessary to construct a multi use trail, bridge and boardwalk system
that would extend from the Capital City Trail at Lake Farm County Park to McDaniel
Park in the Village of McFarland. Construction may begin in late 2014. For further
information about the trail, please contact Chris James, Dane County Parks Division
at 608-224-3763 or by email at james@countyofdane.com.
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.
Capital Springs Recreation Area: Disc Golf Course and Dog Exercise Area
Dane County Parks has completed a 40-acre dog exercise area and an 18 hole
disc golf course off Lake Farm Road, just south of Lake Farm County Park as
identified in the 2010 Capital Springs State Recreation Area Master Plan. The
dog exercise area opened in October of 2012, the disc golf course will open
spring of 2013. For further information about these projects, please contact
Chris James, Dane County Parks Division at 608-224-3763 or by email at
james@countyofdane.com.
Dane County Integrated Pest Management Plan