Yahara Heights Park has a new sign, parking area, and kiosk at the Catfish Ct entrance, just north of the dog exercise area. Similar improvements have been installed on River Rd to the northeast. These access points are trailheads for the Cherokee Marsh Natural Resource Area.

With the improvements, the county anticipates increased public use of the area. With that in mind, county staff met with neighbors and volunteers in June with a goal of coordinating land management and volunteer activities. 
 

Staff will begin developing a vegetation plan that details desired vegetation types for the various parts of the property. Volunteers are welcome to be a part of the planning and implementation. 
 

In the prairie and woods, fire will be the main method to prevent brush from returning. Brush mowing will focus only on problem areas, typically to control brush in the years immediately after an area has been cleared. 


 

The county has implemented changes in trail mowing in the park. For many years, volunteers mowed the trails and also cut new trails to make it easier for volunteers to reach work sites. To reduce confusion and to benefit wildlife, county staff have worked with the neighbors and volunteers to design a trail system that provides full access to the park but removes unneeded trails. “No hiking” signs are posted at the closed trails.
 

County staff is now mowing the trails with volunteer help only in spring and fall when seasonal staff isn’t available. Trail widths will be a maximum of 12 ft.
 

A firebreak was mowed behind the properties on the south side of Caton Ln. The firebreak will allow for prescribed fire in the nearby prairie and woods and provide access for volunteers to travel to work sites. The firebreak will not be a designated hiking trail. Residents adjacent to the park may mow a short narrow path from their yard to the fire break to access the park.
 

Volunteers who drive on the trails to reach work sites will display a magnetic sign or placard provided by the county.




In the park just off Caton Ln, the Town of Westport has made improvements to the drainage at the small stormwater pond.
 

The Friends are working with county staff to provide content for the kiosks, which will include updated trail maps.

Yahara Heights Park (Dane County Parks website)

 

Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park, North Unit, 6098 N. Sherman Ave. Follow N. Sherman Ave. north to the parking lot at the end of the gravel road.  (map)

More information

 

Meet the Friends at the Northside Farmers Market

 

Prairie seed collecting

Wed, Sept 18, 9 am  – 12 noon

Help collect seeds for use in restored prairies in Dane County parks.

Yahara Heights Park, Caton Lane entrance. From central Madison, heading north on HWY 113 / Northport Dr., 0.3 miles past HWY M, turn right onto River Rd. Just past the curve, turn right on Riverview Dr, then right on Caton Ln. Enter the park from the end of Caton Ln. The address for navigating is 5198 Caton Ln, Waunakee, WI 53597. map

Bring your own drinking water and dress for the weather and walking in the prairie.

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