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Dane County Land & Water Resources Department

TAKE PART IN FREE FUN WEEKEND & NATIONAL TRAILS DAY WITH DANE COUNTY PARKS

May 29, 2024
Land & Water Resources

Contact: Lael Pascual
608-224-3730, pascual.lael@countyofdane.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAKE PART IN FREE FUN WEEKEND & NATIONAL TRAILS DAY WITH DANE COUNTY PARKS
Activity Permit Fees are Waived June 1 & 2 in Dane County Parks

Dane County and City of Madison Parks are offering a permit-free weekend Saturday and Sunday, June 1 and 2, 2024. June is a great time to visit a Dane County park, as the prairies and natural areas will be in full bloom and alive with butterflies, birds, and wildlife. With over 18,000 acres of land and 100 miles of trails owned by the county, there is no shortage of ways to get out and explore the amazing resources Dane County has to offer.

Visiting Dane County Parks for walking, hiking, and nature exploration never requires a permit to park or visit. The Dane County Park System does not require an entry fee and is always free to visit. Some activities require a permit and the fees help Dane County Parks maintain amenities for those activities. If you try out a permitted activity during the Free Fun Weekend and enjoy it, you can purchase a daily or annual pass online from www.reservedane.com.

“Dane County residents and visitors treasure our natural resources and unique outdoor spaces,” said Interim Dane County Executive Jamie Kuhn. “We encourage everyone to make the most of this annual opportunity to try new activities with friends and family at Dane County Parks without the need for a permit.”

Permit-free opportunities during the Free Fun Weekend include:

Lake Access: Dane County lakes, rivers, and streams offer abundant opportunities for boating, fishing and paddling adventures.

Dog Parks: The Dane County Park system has eight off-leash dog parks, totaling 268 acres, each with its own unique features and terrain. All dogs must still be legally licensed and vaccinated and follow the dog park rules.

Disc Golf: Dane County Parks provides two premier disc golf courses:

  • Vallarta-Ast Course at Token Creek (27 holes): recognized as one of the top courses in the United States and hosts national and world-wide competitions.
  • Capital Springs (18 holes): laid out over rolling glacial drumlins surrounded by picturesque prairie areas. This course offers bicycle access off the Capital City Trail.

Tenney Locks: is the largest lock and is located on Lake Mendota within the City of Madison. The lock is operated by a lock attendant during specific park hours and typically requires a permit to use.

National Trails Day takes place on June 1, providing yet another reason for Dane County residents and visitors to enjoy the benefits of Dane County’s robust network of trails.

During the permit-free weekend of June 1 and 2, visitors can explore:

Capital City Trail: one of the most popular shared-use bicycle/pedestrian trails in the county.

Mountain Bike Trails: Dane County Parks offers a variety opportunities for mountain bikers and includes single-track mountain bike trails at three locations throughout the year (including winter). The free permit weekend includes the CamRock County Park and Seminole mountain bike trails.

Equestrian Trails: Equestrians have access to more than 26 miles of trails in five different parks, each with its own unique features and terrain.

For more information, please visit the recreation page at https://www.danecountyparks.com/recreation and Madison Parks at www.cityofmadison.com/parks.

Photo Resources:

Photos on Flickr can be used as long as they include any photo attributions (listed in each photo description).

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