I often hear how much people enjoy Dane County’s parks, trails and wildlife areas. As our community grows, it’s important we maintain a strong focus on conservation, preserving the outdoor resources that make this a great place to live.

I invite you to take time this summer to check out what’s new with Dane County’s beautiful parks. We are always improving our parks and trails and here are a few of the highlights:

The new Lower Yahara River Trail is 2.5 miles, winding its way through Lake Farm County Park, then along Lake Waubesa into McFarland. Biking, walking, fishing, or bird and wildlife viewing are all possible along the 1.5 miles of boardwalk and bridges.

CamRock County Park in Cambridge is over 400 acres along Koshkonong Creek and is a premier destination for mountain bikers, providing 6.5 miles of on-track trails. We recently updated a number of the trails and created a new skills area for bikers.

Anderson County Park outside Oregon has a new picnic area, trailhead and parking lot. New hiking trails will take patrons through many of the restored areas of the park.

Morton County Forest near Black Earth is brand new and a secluded gem. The 120-acre forest has a remarkable overlook and is a quiet, peaceful retreat with opportunities for amazing natural photography.

Indian Lake County Park between Cross Plains and Waunakee is ranked as one of the top county parks in the state and has long been a popular destination. This year we’re opening a new shelter and restroom facilities and adding new trails.

This June we’ll open a new boat launch at Lussier County Park near Roxbury, providing year-round access to Fish Lake, which is great for kayaks, canoes and row boats.

For more information, visit parks-lwrd.countyofdane.com. Enjoy all that Dane County has to offer.