Dane County Kicks Off Process to Update the Parks and Open Space Plan

March 17, 2017
Stephanie Miller
County Executive

Dane County is requesting input from county residents to update a plan that helps determine how it manages outdoor resources, including what recreation activities are important to them and what may make people more likely to visit a park or participate in an outdoor activity.

 

“The Dane County Parks and Open Space Plan is our blueprint for future park, trail, recreation and conservation needs. We are excited to hear thoughts and ideas from residents about what they value most about our park system,” County Executive Joe Parisi said.

 

The Dane County Parks and Open Space Plan is a countywide comprehensive outdoor recreation and natural resource plan that must be updated every 5 years to maintain eligibility for State Stewardship grant funds.  Updates to the plan include identifying recreational needs and significant natural, cultural, and historical resources in the county to be considered for protection.  The planning process will seek input from Dane County residents that will help guide future park and trail development projects over the next 5 years.

 

“The vision statement of our Parks and Open Space Plan is timeless, ‘connect people to the land and water resources of Dane County,’” said Dane County Parks Commission Chair Bill Lunney.  “Our countywide network of parks, trails and open spaces are the places where this happens.”

 

Dane County Parks will facilitate two public information meetings to kick off the planning process to update the Dane County Parks and Open Space Plan and explain how citizens and stakeholders can participate in the planning process. The first meeting will be held at 7:00p.m.on March 30th at the Community Center/Town Hall of Cross Plains, 3734 County Road P, Cross Plains, WI  53528. The second meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. on April 5th at the Village of Cottage Grove Village Hall, 221 E. Cottage Grove Road, Cottage Grove, WI 53527.

 

As an added outreach effort, Dane County Parks has prepared a survey to further explore the overall public awareness of the park system and any improvements that could be made to promote a larger and more diverse group of users.  The survey only takes about 5 minutes to complete and results can be monitored throughout the planning process. 
The survey is available on line at:

http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07edx78f4aj02u6mqc/start

More information about the County Parks and Open Space Plan can be found on the Dane County Parks Division website at:

https://parks-lwrd.countyofdane.com/Information/Planning-Development  

 

For questions about the Parks and Open Space Plan contact:

Chris James, Senior Landscape Architect
Dane County Parks Division
5201 Fen Oak Drive, Room #208
Madison, WI  53718
Phone: 608-224-3763
Email: james@countyofdane.com