Dane County  
Minutes - Final Unless Amended by  
Committee  
Park Commission  
Consider:  
Who benefits? Who is burdened?  
Who does not have a voice at the table?  
How can policymakers mitigate unintended consequences?  
Wednesday, July 8, 2026  
5:30 PM  
Scheidegger Forest  
1828 Range Trail, Verona  
A. Call To Order  
Chair Thoresen called the Park Commission Meeting to order at 5:30 PM.  
Staff Present: Alex DeSmidt, Sharene Smith.  
Chair Thoresen welcomed Jennifer Marquardt to her first Park Commission  
meeting.  
6 -  
Present:  
STEFANIE BROUWER, ANALIESE EICHER, TOM THORESEN, KRISTIE  
GOFORTH, DON POSTLER and JENNIFER MARQUARDT  
1 - JASMINE BANKS  
Excused:  
B. Consideration of Minutes  
Minutes of the June 24, 2026 Park Commission  
2026  
MIN-122  
Attachments: 2026 MIN-122 Park Commission Minutes 06-24-26  
A motion was made by BROUWER that the Minutes be approved. The motion  
carried by a voice vote 6-0.  
C. Referrals (Resolutions & Ordinance Amendments)  
AUTHORIZING SALE OF EASEMENTS AT BABCOCK COUNTY PARK TO  
TOWN OF DUNN SANITARY DISTRICT NO. 3  
2026  
RES-071  
MARREN and ENGELBERGER  
Sponsors:  
Attachments: 2026 RES-071  
2026 RES-071 FISCAL NOTE  
2026 RES-071 MAP  
A motion was made by BROUWER, seconded by GOFORTH, that the Resolution  
be recommended for approval. The motion carried by a voice vote 6-0.  
AUTHORIZING SALE OF EASEMENTS AT BABCOCK COUNTY PARK TO  
KEGONSA SANITARY DISTRICT  
2026  
RES-072  
MARREN and ENGELBERGER  
Sponsors:  
Attachments: 2026 RES-072  
2026 RES-072 FISCAL NOTE  
2026 RES-072 MAP  
A motion was made by EICHER, seconded by BROUWER, that the Resolution be  
recommended for approval. The motion carried by a voice vote 6-0.  
D. Items Requiring Committee Action  
E. Presentations  
1. History of Scheidegger Forest  
Chair Thoresen and Alex DeSmidt provided an overview of the history of  
Scheidegger Forest, including Walter Scheidegger's donation, its former use as  
the Dane County Sheriff's shooting range, the remediation of lead  
contamination, and its transition into a managed county forest. DeSmidt also  
explained the County Forest classification and its emphasis on sustainable  
forestry. The property now includes approximately one mile of hiking trails, a  
reservable shelter, a group campsite, and other rustic amenities that support  
passive outdoor recreation.  
F. Reports to Committee  
G. Future Meeting Items and Dates  
1. Wednesday, July 22, 2026  
Springfield Hill Natural Resource Area  
8193 Ballweg Rd, Dane  
Gathering Waters, Groundswell Conservancy, and the Ice Age Trail Alliance  
plan to host a tour of acquisition projects in the Cross Plains area, including the  
Pine Quarry and Swamplovers properties, following this meeting. County Board  
Supervisors will also be invited.  
2. Wednesday, August 26, 2026  
LaFollette County Park Shelter  
2195 Williams Dr, Stoughton  
H. Public Comment on Items not on the Agenda  
I. Such Other Business as Allowed by Law  
J. Closed Session  
A motion was made by BROUWER, seconded by POSTLER, that the Meeting  
enter into closed session. The motion carried by the following vote:  
6 -  
Ayes:  
Vice Chair BROUWER, Supervisor EICHER, Chair THORESEN, Second Vice Chair  
GOFORTH, Supervisor POSTLER and MARQUARDT  
The Commission (or Committee) met in closed session for the purpose of deliberating or  
negotiating the purchasing or acquiring of property where open discussion of bargaining  
positions and strategies would discourage bargaining and harm the public's interest in  
obtaining properties. The authority for this possible closed session is Wis.Stat.19.85(1)(e).  
K. Return to Open Session  
A motion was made by EICHER, seconded by BROUWER, that the Meeting exit  
out of closed session. The motion carried by the following vote:  
6 -  
Ayes:  
Vice Chair BROUWER, Supervisor EICHER, Chair THORESEN, Second Vice Chair  
GOFORTH, Supervisor POSTLER and MARQUARDT  
L. Adjourn  
A motion was made by POSTLER, seconded by BROUWER, that the Meeting be  
adjourned. The motion carried by a voice vote 6-0.  
Meeting adjourned 6:25 PM.  
Minutes respectfully submitted by Sharene Smith, pending Park Commission approval.