Madison loves its parks, but here are a few lesser-known sweet spots you should check out.
By Kevin Revolinski | Photo courtesy Holy Wisdom Monastery
EDNA TAYLOR CONSERVATION PARK
The trail from the parking lot here follows a glacial drumlin through wetlands before entering a forest dominated by oak trees. A boardwalk also curves through cattails. Bonus: Aldo Leopold Nature Center abuts the west side of the park. No dogs are allowed.
802 Femrite Dr.
JENNI & KYLE PRESERVE
A model for how to make a park accessible, this 160-acre nature area features a paved trail around two trout-stocked ponds with accessible fishing platforms. A 0.7-mile grassy loop runs through cattails and forest, passing along the banks of Nine Springs Creek. There are modified picnic tables, restrooms and wheelchair-friendly swings. Leashed dogs are allowed.
925 Post Rd.
OWEN CONSERVATION PARK
Just off Old Sauk Road, this park feels hidden in plain view. At its center is a prairie full of wildflowers encircled by a grassy walking path, which in turn is bordered by oak savannah and tall trees, that still affords a city skyline view. No dogs are allowed.
6021 Old Sauk Rd.
CARPENTER-RIDGEWAY PARK
The paved Starkweather Creek Path runs right through this 4-acre neighborhood park, which consists of a mixed forest with a small sports field and playground at the center. On the creek side, cedar chip trails follow the bank through a corridor of nature, and loop through forest and some wetlands. A rolling mountain bike trail network runs through the other half of the woods. Leashed dogs are allowed.
1220 Carpenter St.
HOLY WISDOM MONASTERY (MIDDLETON)
Holy Wisdom Monastery in Middleton is a meditative nature preserve with restored prairie, woodlands and oak savannah. The organization also takes care of the adjacent North Mendota Wildlife Area. The vistas of Lake Mendota and Madison are lovely here, and you may spot a fox or indigo bunting. Don’t let the name scare you off — like the community itself, the grounds are open to everyone, and its website offers field guides to wildflowers and an audio guide to meditation along the trail. No dogs are allowed.
4200 Cty. Rd. M, Middleton, holywisdommonastery.org
