Sauk County Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan 2014 ‐ 2019

Sauk County Parks Department 02/06/2014

Every five years the Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan or CORP is updated and reviewed. As a component of this plan, a stakeholder group was assembled by the Highway and Parks Committee of the Sauk County Board of Supervisors to update the existing CORP. The public is then asked to review the updated CORP. The document will then be adopted at the March meeting of the Sauk County Board of Supervisors. 2013 Sauk County Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan

1.0 Introduction

Parks and Open Spaces

Well-managed parks and open spaces provide immeasurable benefits. They offer a variety of recreation opportunities that promote physical, social and emotional well-being. Parks and open spaces afford relief from urban stresses while providing areas for habitat protection and enhancement. In Sauk County, outdoor recreation is a major source of tourism income. Parks and open spaces have been, and continue to be part of our National, State and local heritage.

Purpose of Plan

The purpose of Sauk County’s Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (CORP) is to identify strengths and needs of Sauk County’s parks, related facilities and outdoor recreation opportunities. Sauk County’s CORP is further intended to maintain County eligibility to apply for and receive grants and aid money. The CORP analysis is the foundation for acquisition and development of outdoor parks and recreational facilities that are to be designated for public use. The Sauk County CORP can be more than just a useful tool for the Sauk County Parks and Recreation Department as well as other municipalities. It offers a vision for the future, sets the course for the recreational future our grandchildren will inherit, and identifies the means to achieve these objectives.

Sauk County’s Park and Recreation Department Mission

“It is the mission of the Sauk County Parks and Recreation Department to acquire, develop, protect and maintain our parks and facilities for all citizens and to provide outdoor recreational opportunities that contribute to the well being of individuals and families.”

Overview of the Plan and the Planning Process

The most recent CORP was completed in 2008. This 2013 Plan includes a review of 2008 CORP to monitor progress (See Section 2.3). The Statewide Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP), the Wisconsin Land Legacy Report and other pertinent planning processes and plans will be recognized and incorporated. An update of the natural and cultural resources, parks and recreation inventories and analysis of municipal, county, state and federal lands follows. Goals, objectives and policies have been developed based on the inventory and analysis, and the public participation process.

Local public input came from a meeting of a Recreational Stakeholder Advisory Committee appointed by the Sauk County Highway and Parks Committee, the Sauk County Board of Supervisors oversight committee for the Parks and Recreation Department. The Advisory Committee, comprised of citizens from throughout the county who represent a wide variety outdoor recreation interests. They reviewed the goals and policies of the previous CORP to refine issues and oversee the development of the Plan document.

Adopted by the Sauk County Board of Supervisors November 11, 2008 1 2013 Sauk County Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan

1.1 The CORP Vision

The CORP Advisory Committee developed a vision statement, goals, objectives and policies. A vision statement identifies how the various outdoor recreation components will look, function and connect. This vision serves a grounding point for future decisions. The Vision Statement approved by the Committee for the 2013 Sauk County Comprehensive Outdoor Plan is displayed below.

CORP Vision Statement:

Sauk County’s citizens and visitors will enjoy a broad range of affordable