DANE COUNTY BOARD TO CONSIDER KEY RECREATION ADDITIONS

February 14, 2018
Sharon Corrigan, County Board Chair 608.333.2285
County Board

Sugar River, Door Creek, North Mendota Trail projects on Thursday agenda

 

Three key land purchases to improve outdoors opportunities for bicyclists, hikers, paddlers and anglers are before the Dane County Board.

 

Projects before the board Thursday at its 7 p.m. meeting in Room 201 of the City-County Building include:

 

  • Funding for a 3.5-acre easement along County M for a long-desired off-road bicycle and pedestrian connection as part of the North Mendota Trail. The town of Westport, village of Waunakee and city of Middleton are working to complete various segments of the trail, which will eventually link Pheasant Branch Conservancy, Mendota County Park, Schumacher Farm County Park and Governor Nelson State Park.

  • A 60-acre addition to the Sugar River Natural Resource Area, a popular destination for trout fishing, canoeing and kayaking. The acquisition includes a 2/3-mile stretch of frontage on both sides of the river along with an 1860 limestone Greek Revival house on Highway 69 that was a historic stagecoach stop.

  • Purchase of 160 acres of land from the Department of Natural Resources in the towns of Dunn and Pleasant Springs that was offered only to Dane County. The land provides a key segment for expansion of the Lower Yahara River Trail, linking the village of McFarland to Lake Kegonsa State Park.

  • Funding for remodeling of the barn at the Schumacher Farm County Park, as well as site improvements.

Dane County Board Chair Sharon Corrigan says the county has been continuing to  lead on conservation and recreation projects despite reduced support from the state of Wisconsin. She noted that the three purchases under consideration Thursday are located where they can provide recreational opportunities for thousands of residents.

 

“One of the Board’s priorities is connecting our county populations centers to the county’s wonderful natural resources,” she says. “It’s important that all our citizens have easy access to the outdoors, and these purchases help further that goal.”

 

Also on the agenda Thursday is county purchase of 20 housing units in the village of Belleville. The apartments have been under WHEDA income-level restrictions, but the owner was looking to sell them for market rate development.

 

The purchase will bring the units under control of the Dane County Housing Authority, with current residents being able to remain in their homes.

 

“This will help us maintain our commitment to those residents as well as protecting our existing affordable housing stock,” says Supervisor Mary Kolar, vice chair of the Dane County Housing Authority. 

 

The 2017 capital budget included $2 million in the Affordable Housing Development Fund. The county would use $450,000 of that for the Belleville purchase.