Charles Gerhards, a member of the Friends group, has done extensive research into the early cabin and farmstead sites in Donald Park. Mr. Gerhards’ research indicates that there are several settler era cabin sites in the Park. One can still see the cellar foundation for one of these cabin sites. The State Archeologist, John H. Broihahn, visited the Park and recommended that we preserve and protect these sites. Accordingly, Mr. Broihahn registered the Foye Site and the Byam Site both at the Park in the Wisconsin Archeological Site Inventory.
Restoration of the Foye Site begins thanks to a grant from the Mount Horeb Community Foundation. This cabin cellar may have been built at about the time of Statehood. The cabin burned down according to Township history accounts. Volunteers are clearing away the overgrown trees and under the supervision of Robert Birmingham, retired State Archeologist, will stabilize the cellar foundation and conduct public workshops on archeology methods to study this site. We hope to confirm the history and origin of the site and preserve any recovered artifacts.
Excerpts from Mr. Gerhards research results (2007):
Foye Properties: “On Dec 9, 1854 John Foye and Joseph Wright of Waukesha County, Wisconsin paid Lawrence Smith and his wife, Susan, of Dane County $845 the SW NE Quarter of Section 33 containing 40 acres. This land included an existing house. On the same day John Foye and Joseph Wright of Waukesha County, Wisconsin paid Lawrence Smith and his wife, Susan, of Dane County $845 for 36 acres of land by separate deed from the 40 acres described as follows: commencing at the NW corner of NE SW Quarter of Section 33, thence east to the NE corner of NW SE Quarter, thence south 8 rods, thence west 20 rods, thence south westerly in a direction to run 3 rods west of the house and far enough to include 36 acres of land by running west to the west line of the NE SW Quarter of the same section, thence north to the point of beginning. It is likely that the $845 was for both the 40 acres and the 36 acres. Also on the same day John Foye, Mary Foye, Joseph Wright and Mary Wright, of where not stated, executed a mortgage of $620 on the property sold to them by Lawrence Smith who held the mortgage. This land was erroneously described as follows: NW NE of Section 3 and the SW NW of Section 23,commencing at the NW corner of NE SW of Section 33, thence to the NW corner of NW SW SE, thence south 8 rods, thence west 20 rods, thence south westerly in a direction to run 3 rods west of the house and far enough to include 36 acres of land by running thence west to the west line of the NW SW to the place of beginning. On Nov 24, 1860, Lawrence Smith acknowledged that the mortgage was satisfied in full.”
Donald Park: From Family Farmsteads to Public Treasure
Donald Park is a shining star in the Dane County parks system–one of Dane County’s newest, largest, and loveliest parks.Below you can learn about how the Park came to be, some wonderful features of the Park, and a little bit about the Friends of Donald Park, Inc.
The Genesis of Donald Park
Donald Park was created when Dane County acquired large portions of two farm properties straddling State Highway 92, between Mt. Vernon and Mt. Horeb--the Donald farm and the Hitchcock farm.
The Donald Property
The land that became the nucleus of Donald Park was settled in 1855 by the Rev. James Donald, a Presbyterian minister, and his family.The Donalds lived in a log home on the north side of what is now Highway 92, while they were building a two-story wood-fame house.The farmhouse, completed in 1859, is still standing on the site of the Donald Farm.
James Donald’s grandson, John Sweet Donald, eventually took over the family farm operation, which had expanded due to the acquisition of nearby farms.John and his wife Vona became involved in progressive politics, and he served in the Wisconsin State Senate and as Secretary of State.Eventually, John joined the faculty of the University of Wisconsin College of Agriculture, while continuing to help manage the farms.
Delma Donald, John and Vona’s daughter, earned a B.A. in Economics from the University of Wisconsin in 1921.She later married James Woodburn, an engineering professor, whose job took the family to several states and to Germany. Nevertheless, Delma remained deeply interested in the history of her family and of Donald Farm. Read more about Delma’s life here.
In 1993, the Woodburn family donated 105 acres of the Donald property to Dane County Parks, the nucleus of what is now known as Donald Park.Over the next fourteen years, the County acquired an additional 475 acres of the family’s property through a combination of purchases, easements, and donations.
Delma Donald Woodburn died in 2001 at the age of 102. Her sons Bob and Jim have continued to be enthusiastic and generous supporters of the Park.
The Hitchcock Property
Unlike the Donald land, the land that became the Hitchcock farmstead changed hands frequently after it was first purchased by Christian Summerdale in 1841. In 1967, Pat Hitchcock and her husband John, an anthropology professor at the University of Wisconsin,bought the property from Harold Larson, whose family had owned and farmed the land since 1945. Pat and John connected closely with the land. They became involved in chemical free farming; John loved riding horses; and Pat organized a curriculum for a Christian outreach program called Young Life that involved cross-country skiing, hiking, and maple sugaring.
In 1996, the County acquired the Hitchcock property, with the provision that Pat could lease it back during her lifetime.Over time, the lease was limited to the farm buildings, including the home that Pat occupied until her death in 2009 at the age of 89. After Donald Park was established, Pat continued as perhaps the most active volunteer in the Friends of Donald Park. You can read more about Pat Hitchcock. HYPERLINK
Developing the Park
At least since the time of its 1970 Parks and Open Space Plan, Dane County Parks has recognized a need for a park in the southwest area of the county. The 1996-2000 Parks and Open Space Plan continued to call for a regional park of 400-600 acres in southwestern Dane County.
In 1966, after a drive around Dane County, Delma Donald Woodburn noticed a county park in western Dane County.She mentioned it to her son Bob, and commented that the area near their farms also needed a county park.In 1993, the Woodburn family donated 105 acres of land to the County.The development of the park gained momentum in 1996, with the County’s acquisition of the Hitchcock property, along with additional land and easements from the Donald family.
Planning for the Park began with Jason Wilkes’ 1996 University of Wisconsincapstone senior project, which provided an inventory and analysis of the site.In 1997, the Woodburn family made a substantial donation to the County to allow the planning process to continue. A private consulting firm, Landscape Architects, Inc., developed a master plan for the Park, which was adopted by the County Board in 1999 and updated in 2005. You can view the updated master plan here: HYPERLINK.
Since the Woodburn family’s original donation in 1993, the County has been able to increase the size and solidify the configuration of the Park.As of 2010, Donald Park has expanded to 624 acres, with an additional 263 acres in lands preserved through conservation easements. The Park now includes land on both sides of Sutter Drive south of Highway 92, as well as land north of Highway 92 surrounding Donald Rock (also known as the Preacher’s Cap).
The County’s current acquisition priorities include: 1) purchasing the 3-acre site of Donald Rock from the Department of Transportation; and 2) purchasing lands south of Highway 92, currently owned by the Woodburn family but preserved through conservation easements.
Highlights of Donald Park
According to the 1999 master plan, Donald Park is intended to be a “passive recreational park, linking and preserving environmental and historic resources through education and recreation.” The 1999 master plan identified a number of recreational and educational uses to be developed in the Park, including:
- picnicking
- fishing
- rustic camping
- nature hikes and study
- sightseeing
- environmental education
- cross country skiing
- horseback riding
- historical interpretation
- hunting
- archery
- agricultural education
Most of the uses contemplated in the 1999 master plan are now taking place in Donald Park.There is no camping yet in the Park.However, the 2005 master plan update recommends developing about four small rustic rental cabins near the site of the Hitchcock farmstead, as well as two group camp sites east of the farmstead.
Here are some of the natural and historical highlights that you can currently enjoy at Donald Park:
Delma’s Shelter and Pop’s Knoll Picnic Area. Picnic tables and barbeque pits are located throughout Pop’s Knoll.Constructed of wood and stone, Delma’s Shelter provides a covered area for meals and events, and can be reserved for private events by contacting Dane County Parks.
Equestrian Trails. Donald Park has one of the largest networks of equestrian trails in the Dane County parks system.In addition to hiking trails, there are 3-1/2 miles of multi-use trails (equestrian, hiking, skiing, and snowshoeing) throughout the Park, plus another 17-1/2 miles ofhorse trail easements on lands outside of the Park–both south of the Park and to the northacross Highway 92. Access for equestrian visitors, including space to park horse trailers, can be found at the eastern (Mount Vernon) entrance to the Park.
Big Spring. The Big Spring is located just south of Mt. Vernon Creek, at the property line between Donald Park and Department of Natural Resources land.Cold water from the spring feeds into Mt. Vernon Creek, providing an excellent habitat for fish. The Big Spring has been a popular spot for over one hundred years--at least one photo from the 1890s shows a large gathering of people enjoying an outing near its shores. A 15 x 15 foot viewing platform allows visitors to look straight down and view this beautiful natural spring from the top.
Fishing in Mt. Vernon Creek and smaller streams. Donald Park is in the Sugar River watershed.Deer Creek flows through the Park from the west, while Fryes Feeder flows from the north.Where these two streams join, Mt. Vernon Creek begins, flowing in a southeasterly direction toward the Sugar River.Mt. Vernon Creek and its tributaries provide excellent trout fishing: Deer Creek and Fryes Feeder are Class 2 trout streams, while Mt Vernon Creek is a Class 2 trout stream where it traverses the Park, and includes brown, brook, and rainbow trout. Dane County Parks staff and volunteers have worked tirelessly to reduce sediment, maintain banks, and provide for trout habitat in these streams.
Larson’s Pond. This 3/4-acre pond is named after Harold Larson, whose family owned and cultivated the farmstead on which the pond is located until 1967, when Harold sold the property to the Hitchcock family.Harold Larson’s greatest joy in life was fishing, and Larson’s Pond still serves as a popular bass fishing hole.
Donald Rock/Preacher’s Cap. Donald Park is in the “driftless area” of Wisconsin that was never covered by later glaciers. Water and wind erosion have sculpted this landscape into the hills and valleys that we see today.Donald Rock is an erosion-resistant block of St. Peter Sandstone that became isolated as the softer sandstone around it eroded, after the continental seas retreated 450 million years ago. The rock was an important landmark to native cultures, especially the Ho Chunk, who visited the valley in pre-European settlement times.In 1952, the family of Delma Donald Woodburn donated the rock, then known as “picture rock,” and two surrounding acres to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, to serve as a scenic wayside.The rock was renamed Donald Rock in recognition of the family’s gift.More recently, the rock has been designated the “Preacher’s Cap,” a name that was used by settlers in the 1800s.You can read more about Donald Park’s geological history here: Paleo Indians.
Prairie Restoration
Dane County Parks staff and volunteers have restored native prairies in several parts of the park, conducting periodic burns; seeding with native prairie plants; and removing invasive species such as wild parsnip, sweet clover, multiflora rose, crown vetch, and Queen Anne’s lace.
Oak Savannas. Dane County Parks staff and volunteers have restored oak savannas in the Park, removing invasive box elder and cherry trees and conducting periodic burn to allow the remaining trees more room to grow.
Pine Grove. In addition to substantial deciduous forests, Donald Park includes a lovely grove of pine trees.This 6.4-acre area includes a 35-year-old stand of red pines, and a 65-year-old stand of red and scotch pines, with a smaller group of white pines nearby.The pine grove is a favorite place for groups of school children to rest, reflect, and write poetry.
Bluebird Houses. Donald Park is an excellent place to view and enjoy the sky blue color of bluebirds.The birds usually arrive at the end of February, and leave in flocks beginning in mid-September. The Friends of Donald Park has an active bluebird group, which has constructed 25 bluebird houses in the Park and monitors them weekly throughout the spring and summer.In 2009, 98 bluebirds fledged, an average of four per box. This was the highest average in Dane County and resulted in a “Trail of Excellence” rating from the Bluebird Restoration Association of Wisconsin. If you are interested in monitoring bluebird boxes, or simply walking along with the bluebird group, you can contact them here: HYPERLINK.
Poetry Trail. Poems by local grade school students are laminated and posted all along the poetry trail.During their spring visit to Donald Park, the students sit in one of the pine groves and reflect on nature, writing poems in several different styles that they later print and decorate with drawings. Although the poems on the trail are changed seasonally, a notebook of ten years of poems is displayed at Pop’s Knoll during the Father’s Day celebrations.The poetry writing is one of several nature activities for students at Donald Park; other activities include studying Larson’s Pond and the streams, working on bluebird houses, collecting prairie seeds, and woodland hikes.
Foye Cabin. The foundation of the Foye cabin near the Little Spring appears to date from the 1850s. Township records indicate that the cabin burned down in the late 19th century. Thanks to a grant from the Mount Horeb Community Foundation and the work of volunteers, the cabin’s foundation, constructed of stacked sandstone, is currently being excavated and restored.Volunteers have also removed vegetation and logs from the Little Spring, allowing visitors to better understand what drew settlers to this wonderful location. More information about the cabin excavation can be found here: [HYPERLINK]
Native American occupation. There is evidence of longstanding Native American contact with the Donald Park area. Finding a Clovis point is extremely rare and may indicate that Ice Age Era PaleoIndians once roamed these stream valleys to hunt large game like mammoths and mastodons.Other artifacts found in the Park reflect contact over many thousands of years by Native Americans with a highly mobile, hunting and gathering way of life. In addition, evidence of burial mounds exist from the Late Archaic period (1,500-500 B.C.). Volunteers continue to catalog and interpret these sites and artifacts. You can find more detailed information about the archeological finds here: Paleo Indians
The Friends of Donald Park, Inc.
The Friends of Donald Park, Inc. (FoDP) is a private nonprofit organization that promotes and supports the passive use of Donald Park through programs and activities that provide education, restoration, and preservation of the Park’s cultural, natural, and historical resources.
As of 2010, FoDP has about 125 members. Annually, about 150 FoDP volunteers develop and maintain equestrian and multi-use trails within and outside of the Park.Volunteers have worked tirelessly to restore the Park to its natural state, by removing invasive plant species, burning and seeding prairies, and restoring stream banks.Volunteers have also led educational programs for schoolchildren and adults; built and maintained bluebird houses; and studied the Park’s natural, geological, and cultural history. Finally, FoDP sponsors special events for visitors to the Park, which you can read about here: Events.
For more information about FoDP’s mission and Board of Directors, see Board Members and Contact Information.
Conclusion
Through a combination of diligent planning by the County, the generosity of donors, and the efforts of volunteers, Donald Park has been developed and has flourished much sooner than anyone could of anticipated.The Park will continue to provide county residents with a natural refuge where, in the words of Delma Donald Woodburn, “there is strength in the hills and peace in the valleys.”