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 9, 2025  
5:30 PM  
Stewart Lake County Park  
3106 County Highway JG  
Mt. Horeb, WI 53572  
A. Call To Order  
Chair Thoresen called the Park Commission Meeting to order at 5:30 PM.  
Staff Present: Sharene Smith, Joleen Stinson.  
Others Present: Jack Saltes, Mary McDonough Sutter.  
5 -  
Present:  
NANCY BOGUE, STEFANIE BROUWER, ANALIESE EICHER, TOM THORESEN  
and DON POSTLER  
1 - KRISTIE GOFORTH  
Excused:  
B. Consideration of Minutes  
Minutes of the June 25, 2025 Park Commission Meeting  
2025  
MIN-159  
Attachments: 2025 MIN-159 Park_Commission_Minutes_6-25-2025  
A motion was made by BROUWER that the Minutes be approved. The motion  
carried by a voice vote 5-0.  
C. Referrals (Resolutions & Ordinance Amendments)  
D. Items Requiring Committee Action  
1. Conservation Fund Grant Application from the American Farmland Trust for Buy,  
Protect, Sell Program, Makar Parcel  
A motion was made by BROUWER, seconded by BOGUE, to direct staff to  
prepare the resolution to award a Dane County Conservation Fund Grant to  
American Farmland Trust. The motion carried by a voice vote 5-0.  
American Farmland Trust Memo and Maps  
2025  
RPT-164  
Attachments:  
American Farmland Trust Memo Requesting a Dane County  
Conservation Fund Grant  
E. Presentations  
1. Friends of Stewart Park  
Mary McDonough Sutter and Jack Saltes gave an overview of volunteer efforts  
at Stewart Lake County Park. The small but dedicated Friends group remove  
invasive species, restoring oak woodlands, savannas and prairies, including the  
"goat prairie" a remnant on the steep hillside above the lake. A raingarden was  
installed near the beach to improve stormwater management and lake water  
quality. The park's bluebird trail has fledged over 1,000 bluebirds since the early  
2000s.  
2. History of Stewart Lake County Park, the First Dane County Park  
Stewart Lake was a popular recreation destination even before becoming a  
County Park. In 1912, Mount Horeb residents formed the Lake Park Association  
to raise funds for land acquisition, road access, and dam construction. A ski  
jump was added in 1913 and hosted competitions for several years. After the  
original dam washed out in 1915, public use declined. Dane County acquired  
the land in 1935, making it the first County Park. The CCC built early park  
amenities. Historical photos were shared, and current features include a picnic  
shelter made from park-harvested timber, play equipment, hiking trails, an  
accessible fishing pier, and a beach.  
Stewart Lake County Park History Article, Mount Horeb Area Historical  
Society  
2025  
RPT-186  
Attachments:  
Stewart Lake County Park Article from Mount Horeb Area Historical  
Society Article Spring 2021  
F. Reports to Committee  
1. Dane County Parks' 90th Anniversary Celebration on Thursday, October 9 at Noon  
The Foundation for Dane County Parks is hosting a luncheon on October 9 at  
noon to celebrate the 90th anniversary of Dane County Parks. The event will  
include remarks from elected officials, staff presentations, a tour of the Heritage  
Center, a prairie hike, and lunch. Tickets should be purchased through the  
Foundation.  
Dane County Parks 90th Anniversary  
2025  
RPT-168  
Attachments: Dane County Parks 90th Anniversary Event Flyer  
2. County Executive Melissa Agard's 25 for 25 Parks Challenge  
County Executive Melissa Agard launched the “25 for 25 Parks Challenge” in  
June, inviting the public to join her in visiting all 25 Dane County Recreation  
Parks. The initiative celebrates the county’s commitment to public spaces,  
wellness, and community.  
G. Future Meeting Items and Dates  
1. Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at 5:30 pm  
Sugar River Wildlife Area Davidson Unit  
1855 State Highway 69  
Verona, WI  
2. Wednesday, August 27 at 5:30 pm  
Heritage Center, Upper Level  
3101 Lake Farm Rd, Madison  
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 POSTLER, seconded by EICHER, that the Meeting enter  
into closed session. The motion carried by the following vote:  
5 -  
Ayes:  
BOGUE, Vice Chair BROUWER, Supervisor EICHER, Chair THORESEN and  
Supervisor POSTLER  
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 BOGUE, seconded by EICHER, that the Meeting exit out of  
closed session. The motion carried by the following vote:  
5 -  
Ayes:  
BOGUE, Vice Chair BROUWER, Supervisor EICHER, Chair THORESEN and  
Supervisor POSTLER  
L. Adjourn  
A motion was made by BROUWER that the Meeting be adjourned. The motion  
carried by a voice vote 5-0.  
Meeting adjourned 7:03 PM.  
Minutes respectfully submitted by Joleen Stinson, pending Park Commission approval.