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, May 24, 2023  
5:30 PM  
Jenni and Kyle Preserve  
925 Post Rd, Madison 53711  
A. Call To Order  
Chair Thoresen called the Park Commission meeting to order at 5:30 PM.  
Staff Present: Joleen Stinson, Sharene Smith, Chris James.  
Friends of Capital Springs Recreation Area Board Members Present: Bill Lunney, Judie  
Pfeifer, Bob Honig, Maggie Honig.  
Others Present: Aaron Mullins, Foundation for Dane County Parks Executive Director.  
Youth Governance Program Member Emily Cai Present.  
6 -  
Present:  
STEFANIE BROUWER, ANALIESE EICHER, DAVE RIPP, TOM THORESEN,  
GRACE MORAN and KRISTIE GOFORTH  
1 - NANCY BOGUE  
Excused:  
B. Consideration of Minutes  
Minutes of the Wednesday May 10, 2023 Park Commission  
2023  
MIN-106  
Attachments: 2023 MIN-106 PC Minutes 05-10-2023  
A motion was made by BROUWER, seconded by MORAN, that the Minutes be  
approved. The motion carried by a voice vote 6-0, YGP 1-0.  
C. Referrals (Resolutions & Ordinance Amendments) - None  
D. Items Requiring Committee Action - None  
E. Presentations  
1. Recognition of Youth Governance Program Member Emily Cai  
Supervisor Dave Ripp thanked Youth Governance Program member Emily Cai for her two  
terms of service on Park Commission and presented her with a certificate of  
appreciation. Emily Cai expressed gratitude for the experience and mentorship from Park  
Commissioners.  
2. Friends of Capital Springs Recreation Area  
Bill Lunney introduced Friends of Capital Springs Recreation Area (FOCSRA) board  
members in attendance and described the Capital Springs Recreation Area and the  
history of the Jenni & Kyle Preserve. Judie Pfeifer highlighted Dan Kerkman's years of  
volunteer efforts at the Jenni & Kyle Preserve. Bob & Maggie Honig detailed their  
American Robin bird counting experiences last fall and their plans to host inclusive  
public programs at the Jenni & Kyle Preserve later this summer and fall.  
F. Reports to Committee  
1. Dane County Parks and Open Space Plan Kickoff Plans  
The Dane County Parks and Open Space Plan (POSP) is a countywide comprehensive  
outdoor recreation and natural resource plan that is updated every five years. The Park  
Commission will have a significant role providing a forum for public presentations to  
solicit input and to present draft plan recommendations. The 2024-2029 POSP planning  
process is just kicking off with a goal of final adoption in the summer-fall of 2024.  
2. Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) Relief Force Main in the Ice Age  
Trail Junction Area Project Update  
The Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) is planning phase 2 of their relief  
force main that will transport wastewater generated by Verona residents and businesses  
through underground piping. Much of the final route runs through the Ice Age Trail  
Junction Natural Resource Area, which is a Dane County Park property. Land and Water  
Resource Department staff have been meeting with MMSD for over a year to discuss  
possible restoration improvements that could be associated with the project, facilitating  
the discussion on a Ice Age Trail realignment due to this project, and helping to mitigate  
impacts on access to the Badger Prairie Community Garden. MMSD is currently working  
with their consultant to finalize the construction documents.  
2023  
RPT-114  
Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) Sewer Line  
Easement Maps in the Ice Age Trail Junction NRA  
Attachments: MMSD_Sewer_Overview_Map_&_Vegitation_Restoration_Map  
3. Improvement plans for Jenni & Kyle Preserve, thanks to a generous donation from  
the Jenni & Kyle Foundation  
Sally Wilmeth and Terry Guerkink, Jenni and Kyle's parents, have generously and  
consistently supported the development of Jenni and Kyle Preserve since the park was  
established in 1989. They have also made significant contributions to accessibility  
improvements across the entire Dane County Park system. In 2021, they established the  
Jenni & Kyle Foundation. The Jenni and Kyle Foundation recently donated $100,000 to  
restore and expand the accessible path at Jenni and Kyle Preserve. Improved access to  
the stream and to some of the interior areas of the preserve, along with places for viewing  
wildlife, will increase accessible amenities at to the property. Dane County Parks and the  
Park Commission are incredibly grateful.  
Jenni & Kyle Preserve Accessible Trail Improvement Plan Map  
2023  
RPT-115  
Attachments: Jenni_&_Kyle_Preserve_Accessible_Trail_Map  
4. History of Jenni & Kyle Preserve  
The vision for the Jenni and Kyle Preserve began in 1989 with a donation from Harvey  
and Patricia Wilmeth as a memorial for their grandchildren, Jenni and Kyle, who both  
died at the age of 4 due to a degenerative neurological disorder. The Jenni and Kyle  
Preserve is a unique park that is intended to serve children and persons with disabilities.  
It offers accessible fishing and picnic areas, trails, wheelchair swings and a shelter  
building around two spring-fed ponds containing trout and panfish. The mural on the  
shelter was unveiled in 2011 and was completed in partnership with the Dane County  
Cultural Affairs Commission.  
G. Future Meeting Items and Dates  
1. Wednesday, June 14 - Hybrid Meeting  
Heritage Center lower level  
3101 Lake Farm Rd, Madison  
only held if pressing business  
2. Monday, June 26  
Salmo Pond  
4809 Scherbel Rd, Cross Plains  
H. Public Comment on Items not on the Agenda - None  
I. Such Other Business as Allowed by Law - None  
J. Closed Session  
A motion was made by GOFORTH, seconded by RIPP, that the Meeting enter into  
closed session. The motion carried by the following vote:  
YGP Cai - Aye  
6 -  
Ayes:  
Vice Chair BROUWER, Supervisor EICHER, Supervisor RIPP, Chair THORESEN,  
MORAN and Second Vice Chair GOFORTH  
1 - BOGUE  
Excused:  
K. Return to Open Session  
A motion was made by GOFORTH, seconded by BROUWER, that the Meeting exit  
out of closed session. The motion carried by the following vote:  
YGP Cai - Aye  
6 -  
Ayes:  
Vice Chair BROUWER, Supervisor EICHER, Supervisor RIPP, Chair THORESEN,  
MORAN and Second Vice Chair GOFORTH  
1 - BOGUE  
Excused:  
L. Adjourn  
A motion was made by BROUWER, seconded by GOFORTH, that the Meeting be  
adjourned. The motion carried by a voice vote 6-0, YGP 1-0.  
Meeting adjourned 7:12 PM.  
Minutes respectfully submitted by Joleen Stinson, pending Park Commission approval.