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| - I'm extremely fond of Dane County Parks in general, but Donald has become my favorite. I had no idea that it was tucked right between Mount Vernon and Mount Horeb until last winter, and I live only 10 minutes away! What a beautiful and sneaky treasure! Honestly, a selfish part of me hesitates to review the park just to keep it this way, but everyone should enjoy the beauty of this driftless landscape.
Excluding camping, Donald offers something for just about everyone. There's a nice shelter with picnic tables, restrooms, and grills available for general use at the main entrance. You can reserve this shelter via the Dane County Parks website. A second and smaller parking lot on Sutter Drive currently has no facilities, but offers closer access to Larson's Pond and the far west trails. There's a separate entrance off of HWY G for Equestrian access. Licensed dogs are welcome if you have a parks permit, although there is a convenient station for a $5 day-permit at the main parking lot if you need it. I've run into a few happy hikers out with their pups, and seen signs of horses on the multi-use trails, but mostly I or my group have been uninterrupted while moseying our way along the trails.
While not my thing, this park is also a trout fishing site; with those handy boot cleaning stations here and there. The spring-fed streams provide an ideal location, with Frye Feeder and Deer Creek being listed as "Exceptional Resource Waters," and Mount Vernon Creek being listed as an "Outstanding Resource Water." There are trails along these small waterways, so even if you don't fish you can enjoy the babbling water and dragonflies as you hike. The Mount Vernon Creek Fishery Area is also just a short jaunt down HWY 92, with access before and after Mount Vernon.
All of the trails are well maintained year-round and cover a wide variety of terrain (high and lowlands, woods, pine groves, restored prairies) with multiple benches, scenic outlooks, bridges and viewing platforms. I've hiked in the snow, spring mud, and now the blooms of summer. Aside from trail maintenance the way has always been clear and wide. I've not had to fight back branches or wipe a spider web off my face due to close foliage here. There are at least two rock outcroppings that can be climbed (that I've come across), with gorgeous views from both. There are a few steep areas in the wooded trails, but they're not difficult to avoid with miles of easy hiking available. Lowland trails bring you near streams, ponds and natural springs. Apparently, in addition to being shady, cool and fragrant, the pine groves (red, scotch and white) are about 65 years old. In the winter months the trails are maintained for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, and a seasonal snowmobile trail opens through the park. As Rowan C. points out, you can visit again and again and continue finding new aspects to this beautiful place.
The Friends of Donald Park maintain bluebird houses along some of the restored prairie, which in the warm months is loaded with songbirds, butterflies, bees, and wildflowers galore. They're researching the old apple groves, apparently filled with hardy heirloom varieties, and working on restoring some beautiful oak savanna. They're also restoring a historic cabin site near the springs, which had burned down in the late 1800s. I see on their website that they hold occasional family-friendly events at the shelter, with a focus on "programs and activities that provide education, restoration and preservation."
Among other exciting things, the land use plan (Yes, I really do read these things when I find a natural place I love) identifies rustic and/or group camping as a potential use down the road, addition of three more shelter/picnic sites, a lodge, and ongoing improvement/addition of trails. I love seeing that this place is so appreciated, and that there are plans to continue improving it in the future. I believe I'll be volunteering to help make those things happen.
With a documented history including found artifacts from the Ice Age (PaleoIndian), driftless terrain, and the European settlement of the Mount Vernon/Springdale area, Donald Park is definitely a special piece of Dane County worth visiting and supporting as it continues to grow.
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