Silverwood Masterplan Kickoff Meeting Jim Neidhart Dane County Parks Planning 608-224-3614 January 30, 2014
Silverwood County Park Public Information Meeting Notice Sent notice to all landowners adjacent to park December 20 th, 2013 Sent Press Release to Town Clerk Jan. 15 Sent Press Release to County Board Supervisor, Bob Salov Jan. 15 Sent Press Release to Dane County Park Commission Jan. 15 Sent Press Release to Environment, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee Jan 15 Sent Legal Notice to Edgerton Reporter Jan 15 Sent Legal Notice to Madison Newspapers Jan 15 Posted on Dane County Website
Meeting Overview Introductions Purpose of meeting, Masterplan and format for the meeting Brief Background and History of Park and Farm Staff Edgerton HS Words from partners Friends of Silverwood Operation Fresh Start Edgerton School District Presentation of Inventory and Analysis Project Area Description Existing Conditions and Recreation Use Opportunities and Constraints Master Plan Process and Timeline Public Input
Purpose of the Meeting Begin public masterplan process for Silverwood County Park Explain the park masterplanning process Open up communication between stakeholders, partners and County planning staff Listen to neighbors, park users and other stakeholder's hopes, issues and concerns related to future park development and management
Why Do a Master Plan? To follow a process to determine suitability of land for future development of park and recreation facilities. (slopes, soils, archaeological sites, access, etc.) To determine what types of recreation and programs that will occur on new properties To provide a forum that allows public/stakeholders to give input throughout the planning process To aid in the preparation of preliminary cost estimates and budgeting for capital improvements To enable and strengthen participation in certain grant programs To provides a common vision for phased park facility implementation and park land management
Examples of Items That May Be Included within the Park Master Plan A Graphic Plan and Written Report Existing Resource Inventory/Analysis Potential Trail Layouts Future Park Facility Development Projects (Ex: Picnic shelters, parking lots, restroom locations etc.) Resource and Park Management Recommendations (Ex: invasive species removal, possible habitat improvement areas, possible partnership opportunities for management of lands/facilities) Boundary Adjustment Areas Implementation/Action Plan
Examples of Items That Will Not Be Covered within the Park Master Plan Fishery/Water Quality Recommendations (DNR, County Land Conservation, UW) Changes to Boat Motor Ordinance (Town) Lake Level Management Zoning or Land Use Recommendations Agriculture Best Management Practice Recommendations (County Land Conservation)
Meeting Format Following a presentation of the history, perspectives of partners and preliminary inventory and analysis there will be an opportunity for everyone to speak if they wish. Individuals will be able to speak for up to 3 minutes. You will be invited to share what is important to you.
Silverwood County Park Background Previous Dane County Park and Open Space Plans had indicated that this area of the County did not have County park resources 2001: Irene Silverwood donates nearly 300 acres to Dane County for park, recreation, conservation, research, education and agricultural purposes 2002-2014: Per Mrs. Silverwood s wishes, the farm was leased out for the first 10 plus years of County ownership 2012: Dane County Food Council Sub-Committee adopts their Mission, Vision and Goals for Silverwood 2013: Dane County invites organizations to respond to the RFP for a partner to rehab buildings and manage agricultural education activities. Operation Fresh Start and the Edgerton School District respond by submitting proposals 2014: OFS has begun work clearing invasives and will soon begin working in the stone house. 2014: Master plan process begins
Silverwood County Park Mission, Vision and Goals as established by the Dane County Food Council Subcommittee Mission Silverwood Park educates the public on the broad and diverse aspects of Wisconsin agriculture past, present and future. The park celebrates the rich cultural history of agriculture in Dane County as well as demonstrating innovative agricultural practices and land stewardship that sustains the land for future generations. Vision Educate: Provide educational facilities, job training, and resources for the public, farmers, and youth to learn how food, fuel and fiber are grown, processed and distributed. Innovate: Provide access to a demonstration farm which offers opportunities for agriculture research to grow crops that have cultural, historical and economic significance. Produce: Support the production of food, fuel and fiber to demonstrate environmental health, economic profitability, and social and economic equity. Goals 1. Connect people with the land, the natural environment, and each other. 2. Provide assistance through land access, technical education, and teachers / mentors. 3. Educate people about current and future practices for raising plants and animals. 4. Maintain a healthy, diverse, and sustainable natural resource. 5. Promote economic, environmental and social sustainability. 6. Increase the economic capacity of Dane County residents through agriculture. 7. Provide facilities which emphasize access, beauty, conservation, health and sustainability. 8. Cultivate a diverse support community for park preservation which maintains the educational intent, protects the natural resources, and incorporates the agricultural history of the farm.
Brief History of Silverwood by Edgerton HS A Student Presentation through interviews with Irene Silverwood s Family
Our Partners Friends of Silverwood Katie Vance-Whitten Operation Fresh Start Greg Markle Edgerton School District Rick Reese
Master Plan Process & Timeline
Plan Implementation Timeline? We will continue to make capital budget requests and apply for grants during and upon completion of the master plan.
Inventory and Analysis
Project Planning Area Through the public masterplan process, we will look at the Project Planning Area that includes lands in the vicinity of the park that may be identified for recreational use or for protection as a natural resource. Typically, the lands within the project area will be contiguous blocks that may include a mixture of agricultural working lands, water, wetlands, steep topography, prairie and forest. Land or easements acquired are only purchased from willing sellers.
Additional Inventory Documents Silverwood Locator Map Transportation and Regional Context Soil Delineation Quality of Soils for Buildings Quality of Soils as Prime Farmland Existing Land Uses and Cover Silverwood County Park Bat Roost 2011 Survey of Rice Lake
Agricultural Education Component As a part of the masterplan process decisions will need to be made on what buildings will be taken down and which will be kept and possibly modified for use as a County park and as a center for education. Also, programming decisions will need to be made to determine what types of activities will take place here. Many of you may have ideas and recommendations.
Preliminary Opportunities Recreational access to Rice and Sweet Lakes Improved woodlands (healthier oaks) Hiking and skiing Improved wayfinding Improved scenic views Economic advantages of a regional destination for recreation and education Interaction and cooperation between neighbors and communities Improved water quality (runoff reduction) Strong, motivated partners in Friends of Silverwood, Operation Fresh Start and Edgerton Schools Educational opportunities for disadvantaged youth Educational opportunities for current and future farmers Educational opportunities for school kids Woodland restoration education Protection of endangered bat species Possible future bike route connection to Edgerton and Cam Rock County Park and beyond
Preliminary Constraints Steep slopes along shore of Rice Lake No land connection between the two properties No motorized recreational vehicles on land (Irene) or water (Town) No public hunting (Irene) Water level fluctuations challenge shoreline access Invasive plant species throughout the woods Potential deer and raccoon damage with crops and no public hunting Limited County park staff for operational management Future funding uncertainty beyond 2014
Next Steps Continue Inventory/Analysis Continue Gathering Stakeholder Input/Ideas Submit Comments by April 15, 2014 to be considered for Preliminary Draft Plan Spring 2014 - Public Information Meeting to Review Draft Master Plan
Contact Information Silverwood Co. Park Master Plan Website/Feedback Form: www.countyofdane.com/lwrd/parks/planning.aspx#master_plans Jim Neidhart, Assistant Park Planner Dane County Parks Division 5201 Fen Oak Drive Madison, WI 53708 608-224-3614 neidhart@countyofdane.com
Silverwood County Park Public Input Please Respect your allotted time limit Do not interrupt or interject comments on others comments Do not laugh at somebody else s ideas Refrain from talking while others are speaking We ll be here as long as we can afterward to answer additional questions.