Park Highlights

News

The Lower Yahara River Trail

William G. Lunney writes about the Lower Yahara River Trail - The Eighth Wonder of Dane County.

Healthy Parks Healthy You

Healthy Parks, Healthy You Passport

Visit at least five recreation parks and submit your passport by December 31, 2024. Winners will be selected quarterly to win a $50 gift card.

Projects

Dedication at Salmo Pond County Park

The Foundation for Dane Parks had the honor of helping dedicate the new accessible fishing pier at Salmo Pond County Park on Black Earth Creek in memory of our colleague Dan Wisniewski.

Projects

Friends groups collaborate with Ho-Chunk Nation on park projects

Friends groups at McCarthy Park and Capital Springs Recreation Area have collaborated with the Ho-Chunk Nation on various educational and interpretive projects in the parks.

Volunteering

Volunteer Training Workshop Series

In February 2022, the Foundation co-sponsored a series of training workshops to build capacity among Dane County Parks volunteers and Friends Groups.

Projects

2021 Grant Recipients

The Foundation is happy to announce the nine projects that received Endowment grant funding during the 2021 grant cycle.

Healthy Parks Healthy You

November Featured Parks

Have you visited any of the featured Dane County Parks for November? Check them out!

Healthy Parks Healthy You

Dane County Parks Passport

Explore the Dane County Parks system with the new Parks Passport! Visit five or more Dane County Parks and you can enter to win prizes!

Healthy Parks Healthy You

June - Featured Parks

Check out the Healthy Parks Healthy You featured parks for June and all the summer activities available in Dane County Parks!

Thank You to Darren Marsh

After Parks Director Darren Marsh announced his retirement in April, the Foundation's Board of Directors passed a resolution of appreciation in his honor.

President's Message - Spring 2020

Foundation President Bill Lunney shares some of the Foundation's recent accomplishments, thanks Parks Director Darren Marsh for his work, and look towards upcoming Foundation and Parks anniversaries.

Healthy Parks Healthy You

May - Featured Parks

If April showers bring May flowers, then it's the perfect time to look for wildflowers in the county parks!

Supporters

Foundation Supporter Spotlight: Gary Werner and Melanie Lord

Gary Werner and Melanie Lord have been active volunteers in the county parks for many years, and enjoy the connections to people and the parks system that volunteering creates.

Healthy Parks Healthy You

April - Featured Parks

Spring weather is here, offering a perfect opportunity to explore one of the Healthy Parks, Healthy You featured parks for the month of April!

Healthy Parks Healthy You

March's Featured Parks

Check out the featured parks for March, as part of the Healthy Parks, Healthy You partnership.

Healthy Parks Healthy You

February's Featured Parks

Learn about the winter activities some of the County Parks offer and enter our contest to win prizes!

Volunteering

2020 Grant Recipients

Announcing the recipients of the Foundation's 2020 grant funding.

Healthy Parks Healthy You

January's Featured Parks

The Healthy Parks Healthy You featured parks for January 2021

Reflecting on the Past 12 Months

Board President Bill Lunney reflects on the Foundation's accomplishments from the past year.

Projects

E-Way exhibit coming to Lussier Family Heritage Center

The restoration and interpretation of the E-Way model built by Professor Phil Lewis and his students is expected to be restored and displayed at the Lussier Family Heritage Center this winter.

Parks

Fall 2020 Parks Update

Dane County Parks Director Darren Marsh shares news about staff hiring efforts, a new ecommerce site, volunteers, and projects regarding parks, trails, and accessible piers.

Supporters

Foundation Supporter Spotlight: Neil Heinen

Neil Heinen, who recently retired from WISC-TV and Madison Magazine as editorial director, has highlighted the Foundation many times in his work over the years, and he shares with us why he continues to support the parks.

Parks

Happy 85th Birthday to Dane County Parks

As we celebrate our 85 years of success with Dane County Parks, we are mindful of the need to plan for our future.

Volunteering

Volunteer Networking Summit celebrates ‘golden age of parks’

Approximately 60 Dane County Parks staff, Foundation for Dane County Parks members, and Park Friends and Partners group members attended the Dane County Parks Volunteer Networking Summit on March 7, 2020, at Lussier Family Heritage Center.

Parks

Summer 2020 Parks Update

Dane County Parks Director Darren Marsh shares an update about park plans during the pandemic, including accessible piers.

Donations

Thank you for memorial gifts

We are honored to have received memorials from these seven families.

Health and Wellness

Community reaps the benefits of our parks

The COVID-19 pandemic has shed light on how truly important natural spaces like Dane County Parks are for our health and well-being.

Supporters

Foundation Supporter Spotlight: The Erdmans

Foundation supporters Dan and Natalie Erdman enjoy exploring Dane County Parks and seeing the transformation in nearby Pheasant Branch Conservancy thanks to the support of volunteers.

Projects