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, March 27, 2024  
5:30 PM  
Hybrid Meeting: Attend in person at the Heritage Center  
Upper Level, 3101 Lake Farm Rd, Madison; attend  
virtually via Zoom  
A. Call To Order  
Chair Thoresen called the Park Commission meeting to order at 5:30 PM.  
Staff Present: Lael Pascual, Sharene Smith, Chris James.  
Youth Governance Member Steve Hoang present.  
Others Present: Matt Reetz, Mark Martin.  
5 -  
Present:  
STEFANIE BROUWER, ANALIESE EICHER, DAVE RIPP, TOM THORESEN and  
GRACE MORAN  
2 - NANCY BOGUE and KRISTIE GOFORTH  
Excused:  
B. Consideration of Minutes  
Minutes of the March 13, 2024 Park Commission  
2023  
MIN-576  
Attachments: PC_Registration_Report_3-13-2024  
2023 MIN-576 PC Minutes 3-13-24  
A motion was made by BROUWER, seconded by MORAN, that the Minutes be  
approved. The motion carried by a voice vote 5-0, YGP 1-0.  
C. Referrals (Resolutions & Ordinance Amendments)  
1. 2023  
RES-402  
DANE COUNTY CONSERVATION FUND GRANT AWARD TO TOWN OF  
DUNN AND GROUNDSWELL CONSERVANCY  
RIPP, DOWNING and ENGELBERGER  
Sponsors:  
Attachments: 2023 RES-402  
2023 RES-402 FISCAL NOTE  
2023 RES-402 AREA MAP  
2023 RES-402 SUBJECT MAP  
A motion was made by RIPP, seconded by BROUWER, that the Resolution be  
recommended for approval. The motion carried by a voice vote 5-0, YGP 1-0.  
2. 2023  
RES-403  
DANE COUNTY CONSERVATION FUND GRANT AWARD TO  
DRIFTLESS AREA LAND CONSERVANCY  
RIPP, DOWNING and ENGELBERGER  
Sponsors:  
Attachments: 2023 RES-403  
2023 RES-403 FISCAL NOTE  
2023 RES-403 AREA MAP  
2023 RES-403 SUBJECT MAP  
A motion was made by RIPP, seconded by BROUWER, that the Resolution be  
recommended for approval. The motion carried by a voice vote 5-0, YGP 1-0.  
D. Items Requiring Committee Action - None  
E. Presentations  
1. Conservation Fund Grant Application from Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance for the  
Southwest Grasslands in the Town of Christiana  
Matt Reetz, Executive Direction for Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance gave an overview of  
the organization, the proposed property acquisition, its current restoration efforts and the  
grant request. The SWBA intends to acquire 348 acres of grassland, woodland and  
prairie in the Town of Christiana. It has been awarded a DNR Knowles Nelson  
Stewardship Grant for the purchase and is requesting a grant of $912,000 for the  
remainder of the purchase price. If acquired, SWBA would continue restoration work and  
manage the property for bird and wildlife habitat and public access including hiking,  
hunting, and educational programming.  
Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance Koshkonong Prairie Sanctuary  
2023  
RPT-621  
Attachments:  
Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance Koshkonong Prairie Sanctuary  
Presentation  
2. Education program update  
Lael Pascual, Engagement and Visitor Services Manager gave a presentation and update  
on LWRD programs for 2024.  
Education Program Update  
2023  
RPT-620  
Attachments: Education Program Update Presentation  
3. Youth Governance Program thank you  
Chair Ripp presented Youth Governance Program member Steve Hoang with a Dane  
County Parks swag bag as a thank you for his dedication and participation in Park  
Commission this school year.  
F. Reports to Committee  
1. Review of public comments for Walking Iron Trail  
Chris James gave an overview of public comments received for the Walking Iron Trail  
project along with outlining the next steps in the process. The Great Sauk Trail  
stakeholder planning team will meet next to discuss recommendations on trail surface  
and recreational uses.  
Walking Iron Trail Public Comment Summary  
2023  
RPT-619  
Attachments: Walking Iron Trail Public Comment Summary Presentation  
2. Upcoming Dane County Parks and Open Space Plan Public Information Meetings  
Chris James reviewed the upcoming POSP Public Input Meeting dates.  
Wednesday, April 3, 7:00 PM - Hybrid Meeting  
Heritage Center upper level  
3101 Lake Farm Road, Madison, 53711  
Monday, April 15, 7:00 PM - Hybrid Meeting  
Village of Windsor Municipal Building  
4084 Muller Road, DeForest, 53532  
G. Future Meeting Items and Dates  
1. Wednesday, April 17, 2024 - Hybrid Meeting  
Heritage Center upper level  
3101 Lake Farm Rd, Madison  
2. Wednesday, May 22, 2024  
outdoor meeting at a park property, location TBD  
H. Public Comment on Items not on the Agenda  
Supervisor Ripp asked about the Indian Lake County Park closure due to WisDOT’s Hwy  
19 reconstruction project. Lael Pascual provided an update that the park will be closed  
starting April 22, 2024. The park will remain closed for 30 days for the installation of a  
pedestrian underpass connecting Indian Lake County Park to the Halfway Prairie Wildlife  
Area.  
I. Such Other Business as Allowed by Law - None  
J. Adjourn  
A motion was made by BROUWER, seconded by MORAN, that the Meeting be  
adjourned. The motion carried by a voice vote 5-0, YGP 1-0.  
Meeting adjourned 6:41 PM.  
Minutes respectfully submitted by Lael Pascual, pending Park Commission approval.