Dane County Parks is in the process of updating its Park and Open Space Plan (POSP) for the next 5 years ~ 2024-2029. The plan is a comprehensive document that provides a common county-wide vision for park, recreation, and resource protection initiatives and a ‘check-in’ opportunity for Dane County Parks to interact with partners, the public and stakeholders. Public input is important and will help shape the plan update. Dates for public information meetings will be announced by the end of February. In the meantime, the public can complete the survey until May 1, 2024 at danecountyparks.com/openspaceplan.
The Friends have a close working relationship with Dane County. They worked together on the acquisition, planning and on-going restoration of the Acker farm. In addition, they collaborate on restoration and management, accessibility and use, trail events and interpretation and signage. The county owns and manages 80% of the Conservancy north of Century Avenue (255 acres county-owned; 60 WDNR-owned) and manages the DNR acreage as well. However, the county recognizes that the properties it owns belong to all of us and they give the Friends wide-ranging ability to steward the land.
The POSP updating process is important because Dane County is the second fastest growing county in the state and Dane County Parks is the largest metro county park system in the state. County parks host over 4 million visitors annually and manage over 18,000 acres of land that include 25 recreation parks, 20 wildlife areas, 14 natural resource areas, 4 historical or cultural sites, 2 forests, over 100 miles of trails (bike, equestrian, and cross-country ski,) over 3,000 acres of conservation and streambank easements, 5 campgrounds, and the Lussier Family Heritage Center.
Updates to the plan include identifying recreational needs, population and demographic trends, and significant natural, cultural, and historical resources to be considered for protection. The 65+ resident age group is increasing at the fastest rate, while the 0-4 age group is decreasing. Currently the top uses in the county system include walking, dog-oriented activity, swimming, running, hiking, and biking. Use of county parks and natural resource areas increased significantly during the pandemic, with 2021 showing the highest use levels ever recorded. Those high usage levels continue to grow today.
Article written by Stefanie Brouwer, Friends Member