Start of May Marks “Free Days” for Dane County Parks
May 01, 2017
Josh Wescott 608-266-9069
County Executive
Dane County is once again offering residents the opportunity to get out and enjoy their parks, permit free, on dedicated days this spring and summer.
“We have a parks system that’s second to none and there’s no better time to get out and see for yourself what Dane County’s more than 30 parks have to offer,” County Executive Joe Parisi said. “Our parks, trails, and waters offer endless opportunities for recreation and relaxation.”
Dane County will waive permit charges at its facilities for the following park activities on the following Saturdays:
May 6th Mountain Bike Trails
Dane County Mountain Biking Facilities are available at Badger Prairie, CamRock and Capital Springs Recreation Area – Seminole Hills. Dane County partners with Capital Off-Road Pathfinders to create and maintain some of the best facilities in the area.
May 27th Disc Golf Courses
The County has two premier disc golf courses, Vallarta-Ast at Token Creek County Park and Capital Springs which is part of the Capital Springs Recreation Area. The county is continuing to explore opportunities to expand courses throughout Dane County.
June 3rd National Trails Day – Capital City State Trail and Equestrian Trails
Dane County invites everyone to explore the Capital City State Trail that winds through over 2,500 acres of public lands and highlights prairies, wetlands and waterways on Madison’s South side. The trail takes patrons on a tour of the Capital Springs Recreation Area and the Lewis Nine Springs E-Way.
Dane County Parks has over 35 miles of equestrian trails with the largest trail facility being at Donald County Park including over 25 miles both inside and outside the park boundary that is supported by the Friends of Donald Park. Other county park equestrian trails located throughout the county that are worth exploring include McCarthy, Token Creek and Walking Iron County Parks. New trails are planned to open soon at Silverwood County Park.
June 17th Dog Parks
Dane County has seven dog parks, located in Badger Prairie, Indian Lake, Prairie Moraine, Token Creek, and Viking County Parks along with Yahara Heights/Cherokee Marsh, and Capital Springs Recreation Area. Later this year planning will begin to prepare construction drawings and specification for a new dog park at Anderson County Park in the Town of Oregon.
July 1st Lake Access and Tenney Lock
Dane County offers some of the best lake access sites available with well-maintained launches with amenities such as restrooms and fish cleaning stations. The county operates improved launches at Babcock County Park, Fish Camp County Park, Goodland County Park and Lake Farm County Park. Passing through the soon to be new and improved Tenney Lock between Lakes Mendota and Monona is a perfect way to enjoy a day boating on the Yahara River Chain of Lakes.
In conjunction with Dane County Parks, City of Madison Parks will also be offering permit free days for disc golf on May 27th, at city dog parks on June 17th, and for lake access on July 1st.
For more information about these activities or other Dane County Parks information: