TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................. I AUTHORIZING RESOLUTION ................................................................................... 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................. 3 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................ 7 PLANNING PROCESS .................................................................................................... 8 DANE COUNTY PARK COMMISSION .................................................................. 10 LAND & WATER RESOURCES DEPARTMENT .................................................. 10 PLAN PRECEDENTS ..................................................................................................... 12 GOALS, PRIORITIES & POLICIES .............................................................................. 13 SUMMARY OF EXISTING SYSTEM ........................................................................... 22 DEMOGRAPHICS .......................................................................................................... 28 NEEDS ANALYSIS .......................................................................................................... 31 2006-2011 PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS .............................................................. 34 Regional Resource Protection Initiatives ................................................................... 35 Partner Projects .............................................................................................................. 37 Recreation Parks ............................................................................................................. 38 Natural Resource Areas ................................................................................................ 46 Forests ............................................................................................................................... 54 Regional Trails ................................................................................................................. 55 Scenic Driving Corridors .............................................................................................. 58 Historical/Cultural Sites ................................................................................................. 58 Prairie and Oak Savanna Sites ...................................................................................... 60 Stream Corridor Protection and Management ........................................................ 61 PROGRAM AREA RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................ 63 Adult Conservation Team ............................................................................................ 63 Lussier Family Heritage Center ................................................................................... 64 Cooperative Management Programs .......................................................................... 66 Park Planning .................................................................................................................... 67 Land Acquisition .............................................................................................................. 68 Operations and Maintenance ....................................................................................... 69 PARTNERSHIP FUNDING PROGRAMS ................................................................. 70 SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................ 71 DANE COUNTY PARKS 8t OPEN SPACE PLAN 2006-2011 FIGURES 8t MAPS Figure I. Public Input Process Comment Summary .................................................................... 8 Figure 2. Public Input Process General Issues & Comments Summary .................................. 9 Figure 3. Recreation Park Inventory ............................................................................................. 23 Figure 4. Natural Resource Area Inventory ................................................................................ 25 Figure 5. Forest Inventory ............................................................................................................... 26 Figure 6. Historical/Cultural Site Inventory ................................................................................ 27 Figure 7. Dane County Population ................................................................................................ 28 Figure 8. Developed Land Use Forecasts .................................................................................... 29 Figure 9. Developed Land Demand ............................................................................................... 29 Figure I 0. Projected 2030 Dane County Age Distribution ..................................................... 30 Figure I I. WDNR Region 5 Outdoor Recreation Participants Percentage by Activity .. 31 Figure 12. 2004 Dane County Park Permits ............................................................................... 32 Figure 13. Prairie & Oak Savanna Sites ......................................................................................... 60 Figure 14. Tier I & II Stream Project Areas ................................................................................. 62 Map I. Dane County Parks & Open Space Plan 2006-20 I I ....................................... Appendix Map 2. Dane County Parks & Open Space Plan 2006-2011 Regional Trails .......... Appendix DANE COUNTY PARKS & OPEN SPACE PLAN 2006-2011 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I want to communicate a sincere thank you to the twenty-six Dane County local units of government, fif­ teen non-profit conservation organizations, Jefferson County Parks Department, Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), other Dane County Depart­ ments and many Dane County residents who gave time and input toward the preparation of this plan. I also commend the staff of the Dane County Land & Water Resources Department, under the direction of Kevin Connors. In particular, I want to acknowledge Chris James, as the lead planner for this project for his professional and dedicated work and Laura Guyer and Sara Kwitek for their expertise and assis­ tance. Finally, I want to thank the Dane County Park Commission and the Parks & Open Space Advisory Committee for their guidance and support. This document will guide our work for years to come. -- William Lunney, Chair, Dane County Park Commission & Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee DANE COUNTY PARK COMMISSION and PARKS & OPEN SPACE ADVISORY COMMITTEE William G. Lunney, Chair Elizabeth A. Lewis, Vice Chair Tom Dawson, Secretary Supervisor Jeff Kostelic Supervisor Dave Ripp John B. Hutchinson Tom Thoresen Supervisor Mark Opitz Supervisor Scott McDonell Supervisor Rich Pertzborn Bold print indicates Park Commission members. The Park & Open Space Advisory Committee is com­ posed of the Park Commission and three county board supervisors. DANE COUNTY LAND & WATER RESOURCES DEPARTMENT Kevin Connors, Director Sara Kwitek, Acquisition & Planning Specialist Laura Guyer, Conservation Fund Manager Darren Marsh, Dane County Parks Director Chris James, Park Planner Michelle Richardson, Conservation GIS Analyst Susan Jones, Lakes and Watershed Program Coordinator Pat Sutter, County Conservationist Pete Jopke, Watershed Project Management Coordinator Park and Open Space Planning Team Front row left to right: Erin Lewis. Angela Meszaros, Laura Guye,~ Kevin Connors. Back row: Michelle Richardson, Darren Marsh. Chris James, Pat Sutter, Sue Jones. Sara K witek, Pete jopke. AUIHORIZING RESOLUIION Resolution 180, 2006-2007 Adopting the 2006-20 I I Dane County Parks and Open Space Plan For thirty years the Dane County Parks and Open Space Plan has provided the foundation for preservation of key cultural, natural and historic resources that enhance the quality of life in Dane County. The Dane County Parks & Open Space Plan Update Advisory Sub-Committee has completed an update of the County Parks and Open Space Plan for the period of 2006-20 I I. The plan must be updated every five years in order to be eligible to apply for land acquisition and park development funding through the Wiscon­ sin Department of Natural Resources Knowles-Nelson Stewardship grant program. The planning process included six public informational meetings and nearly fifty individual meetings with local units of government, non-profit conservation organizations, and other state and federal agencies for the pur­ pose of soliciting input on recommendations to be included in the updated plan. The plan is used by the Dane County Park Commission as a guide for making future resource protection and park development deci­ sions over the next five years. It also provides the vision and framework for the Dane County Conservation Fund and land acquisition program. Participation by private land owners or local units of government to carry out any of the resource protection initiatives or park and trail development projects outlined in the plan is on a voluntary basis. This plan is not a land use plan or created for the purpose of guiding future zoning decisions. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Dane County Board of Supervisors and the Dane County Executive approves and adopts the