Visit Dane County Parks’ Vibrant Prairies in Full Bloom
August 26, 2019
Darren Marsh, Dane County Parks Director
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Darren Marsh, Dane County Parks Director
(608) 224-3766 - marsh@countyofdane.com
Visit Dane County Parks’ Vibrant Prairies in Full Bloom
MADISON, WI – August 26, 2019: Now is a great time to venture out and enjoy the last days of summer as Dane County Parks’ prairies burst with color. Many native wildflowers are in full bloom and will continue blooming through August and into the fall. With over 12,000 acres of land in the Dane County Park System, you are sure to find a landscape that will quickly become your new favorite.
A few prairies that are easy to access and are particularly stunning at this time of year include Anderson Farm County Park (Union Rd entrance), Ice Age Trail Junction Area (McKee Rd. and Cross Country Rd. Accesses), Indian Lake County Park, Pheasant Branch Conservancy, and William G. Lunney Lake Farm County Park.
Visitors at this time of year will notice rich displays of guara, yellow coneflower, primrose, prairie thistle, partridge pea, grass-leaved goldenrod, rosinweed, cream gentian, and prairie blazingstar all in full bloom. Now is also a great time to see gold finches as they feed on prairie dock and thistle seeds and listen to cicadas call from nearby trees.
In addition to adding beauty to the landscape, prairies provide important conservation benefits, including reducing soil compaction, filtering water runoff, absorbing water (absorbing as much as 8 inch rain events), and serving as the primary habitat for pollinators that support our landscape and agricultural plants. Native plants also play an important role in urban landscapes, reducing stormwater runoff and the transport of excess nutrients and pollutants to nearby water bodies. After you’ve visited our stunning prairies, consider adding a few native plants to your own yard.
Visiting and hiking in Dane County Parks is free. Park users can also enjoy these prairies by bike (a state trail pass may be required) or on horseback at parks with equestrian trails. You can also enjoy the prairies by attending events at our park or volunteering to help collect prairie seed. Find opportunities on the Dane County Parks event calendar at: www.danecountyparks.com/events
About Dane County Parks
Dane County Parks offers a variety of recreational opportunities for the outdoor enthusiast and natural environments for quiet getaways or special events. Dane County Parks takes an active role to enhance and preserve the county’s finest natural resources.
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