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Fallfest - October 2, 2010

Boardwalk of Fame

What's Up in the Parks and the Wild Goose State Trail...
As of 08/18/2010

Astico Park Derge Park Harnischfeger Park Ledge Park Nitschke Mounds Park Wild Goose State Trail

Questions, comments or to report additional information, please contact the Dodge County Land Resources and Parks Department at (920) 386-3700 x1 or Email: parks@co.dodge.wi.us

FIREWOOD BAN CONTINUES AT ALL PARKS: Due to the Emerald Ash Borer concern,
NO FIREWOOD may be brought into the Dodge County Parks.  Park firewood is available for purchase from staff or volunteer camp hosts ($4 per bundle – 8 pieces).

Go for a walk
Psychology Today    Share   
Your mother is right; you should go take a walk. Environmental psychology research has identified a slew of reasons why your mother’s suggestion is a good one — and all the psychological benefits of a walk complement the physical pluses of burning off a few calories, toning your muscles and absorbing some vitamin D on outdoor walks. More

If you hide it, they will come
Winnipeg Free Press    Share   
John White wrote in The Winnipeg Free Press, "Geocaching combines the thrill of a treasure hunt with the geek appeal of high-tech gadgets. I glance at my GPS to make sure I'm on target as I trek through dense bush towards the treasure. Following the longitude and latitude co-ordinates loaded on my GPS, I get closer to the goal: 30 meters, 20 meters, 10 meters. My pace quickens. I follow the directional arrow until it leads me to a group of thick trees in the middle of nowhere." More

 Check out www.geocaching.com to get info on caches in the Dodge County Parks.

Just type in the park’s zip code or the park name as a Keyword and look for the listings.

  Astico Park - Description of Park
Three open air picnic shelters are available for rental for your group outing: graduation party, family reunion, company picnic, church gathering, etc.  Call the Parks Central Office for reservations. Two Camp hosts are available to assist campers and visitors when staff is unavailable.  Marlene is on the designated camp host site adjacent to the park office and Kevin and Evelyn are on site 13 near the canoe launch.  Access to the historic bridge parking area, bridge and trails off Hwy T is available from 7am-8:30pm.

Trails and Roads:

Open

 

Camping:

Campsites are available for reservations or drive-in occupancy.  Get your reservations in now for Labor Day Weekend, it will get here before you know it.

 

River:

Canoe and kayak rentals are available, pending water conditions.  Call the Parks office to make rental reservations.

 

Events:

Columbus has a new Farmers Market at the old police station parking lot on Wednesdays 3pm-7pm.  There is also a Farmers market on Sundays til 1 pm at Julie’s Java House.

 

Miscellaneous:

The Shelters are available for rental for your group outing: graduation party, family reunion, company picnic, church gathering, etc.  Call the parks central office for reservations.

Derge Park - Description of Park
Derge Park is a favorite destination for those looking for a more peaceful camping experience.  All campsites have electrical hookups available.  Dick and Sandy are your volunteer Camp Hosts this year residing on site #1.  They will be around this summer to assist campers and park visitors.  Asphalt paths connect the main facilities in the park, making it easier for those with walking difficulties.  Two boat launch pads with a fixed dock and a floating pier extension provide boat access to the 6,600 acre Beaver Dam Lake.  An enclosed Quonset shelter is available for your group outing.  A small open air picnic shelter is also available.  Call the Parks Central Office for reservations.

 

MANDATORY BOAT LAUNCH FEES ARE IN EFFECT - BUY YOUR BOAT LAUNCH PERMITS AT DERGE PARK.   Daily permits ($5) or annual permits ($30) available at the self-registration box adjacent to the boat launch.   Launch permits are valid for City of Beaver Dam launches and Derge Park launch.  Vehicles with trailers parked without a valid launch permit are subject to citation.   A portion of launch fees paid at Derge Park stay with Derge Park for shoreline improvements the remainder of fees are used for lake improvement projects.


Trails and Roads:

Open

 

Camping:

Plan ahead for the Labor Day Holiday weekend, only a few sites remain available.

 

Lake:

No update.

 

Events:

No update.

 

Miscellaneous:

Pedal boat rentals are on their way!  They will be operational by Labor Day weekend.  Stay tuned for further details and updates.

Mosquito numbers and tenacity has decreased in recent weeks in the park.    

Harnischfeger Park - Description of Park

Trails and Roads:
The primary boardwalk structure to the river is now complete!
  The fishing and viewing platforms at the river’s edge provide a new spot to fish from or a peaceful place to just enjoy the view.    A big THANK YOU goes out to the volunteers, staff and others that contributed to making this awesome new facility a reality!  

BOARDWALK DEDICATION: Thursday, September 9th at 6pm.

Camping:
Call the Parks Central Office at 920-386-3700 x 1 for reservations.  The Camp host is on site #4 to assist campers and visitors when staff is unavailable.  A couple campsites are still available for the Labor Day Holiday weekend – plan ahead.  Many weekends through the rest of the summer are already fully booked.

River:
Call the Parks Central Office to make your canoe and kayak rental reservations.
  Pedal boat rentals now available on a first-come, first-served basis, pending water conditions.

Events:
Mark your calendar for the 5
th annual Fallfest event at Harnischfeger Park, Saturday, October 2nd (always the 1st Saturday in October).  Tractor wagon rides, entertainment, pancake breakfast, kids activities, buckskinner and civil war encampments, antique tractors and more.

Miscellaneous:
Get your end of the season 2010 clubhouse reservations in soon. Only a couple weekend dates remain available prior to mid October.   Call to get a remaining weekend date or take advantage of special weekday rates now available.  Reservations can be made up to 1 year in advance so 2011 reservations are being taken as well.
Ledge Park - Description of Park

2010 is the Year of The NIAGARA ESCARPMENT.  Kids can get a “passport” to visit and learn about Escarpment places in Wisconsin, such as Ledge Park.  Visit www.fdlaudubon.org for more information.

A FARM MARKET is held at Kiwanis Park in Horicon every Wednesday (4pm-8pm) and Saturday (8am-noon) through November 2nd.  You’ll find locally grown vegetables and produce, honey, fresh breads, fresh cut flowers, handmade soaps, local artists, crafters, and more!

Trails and Roads:
Open – no problems reported.

Camping:
Get your reservations in now for the Labor Day holiday weekend – a few sites still remain available.  Call the Parks Central Office at 920-386-3700 x 1 for reservations.

Events:  Dodge County Fair - August 18 to 22, 2010 

Miscellaneous:
Rentals for the upper shelter are still available.  Call the Parks Central Office at 920-386-3700 x 1 to make your reservation.

 

Nitschke Mounds Park - Description of Park

The mounds were originally built in a prairie and oak savanna setting about 1000 years ago.   The 1927 archeology expedition by W.C. McKern resulted in the mapping and identification of 62 mounds.  Forty-six (46) of the mounds were identified on the north side of Hwy E, on what is now the park property.  The other 16 were identified on the south side of Hwy E.  All of the mounds on the south side of Hwy E and 7 mounds on the north side have been surface destroyed, leaving 39 mounds available for viewing in the park.

The park is currently undergoing a transformation from pastured woodland back to its historical prairie and oak savanna setting.  Crews have been and will continue to work on the tree removals and brush clearing which may create scattering of brush piles, cut logs, burn areas, etc.  The park remains open during this process and every effort is being made to keep all trails open during these work periods.

Trails and Roads:
The park is open from dawn to dusk.  All trails are open.  The vegetation growth continues on a furious pace and has overgrown many of the mounds at this time.  Best mound viewing is in late fall through early summer.

Events:
Mark your calendar for the 1st weekend in May 2011 (May 7-8) for next year’s public archeology weekend.   

Wild Goose State Trail - Description of Trail

Due to the 20 mile length of the trail, it is difficult for staff to monitor every section on a weekly basis.  Watch for tree and branch obstructions and gopher holes that can pop up most anywhere.  If you observe a tree down across the trail, gopher holes in the trail, or other obstructions or concerns, please report the location or issue to the parks office at 920-386-3702 or email; parks@co.dodge.wi.us

Trails:
Recent brushing efforts in the middle to southern sections of the trail has helped to cut back some of the side growth.
  More work is needed and planned.  Some sections may still be muddy.

Parking Areas:
Designated parking areas on Hwy 60, at Hwy 26/Hwy 33, Minnesota Junction and East Waupun are open.  The parking area / trailhead at Hwy 60 was expanded in size late last fall to better accommodate trail users with trailers (equestrians, snowmobilers, winter ATV users).   

Camping:
Bike-in & Hike-in camping is available in the City of
Juneau at the Wild Goose Park.  Contact the City of Juneau at (920) 386-4800 for more information.

Events:
The Juneau Farmers' Market is held every Friday morning from May 1 through October 31 in downtown
Juneau, about 3 blocks west of the Wild Goose Trail.  Items for sale can include flowers and plants, vegetables, berries and other fruits, baked items and crafts.

Misc:


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Copyright 1997-2010
Dodge County Land Resources and Parks

Last Update 08/18/2010

Contact us for details:
Dodge County Parks (Main Office)
127 East Oak Street - Juneau WI 53039-1329
Phone: (920) 386-3700 x1
Fax: (920) 386-3979
E-mail: parks@co.dodge.wi.us


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