Forests

Scheidegger Forest County Park

Scheidegger Forest County Park


Scheidegger Forest County Park is located on Range Trail south of Verona. This natural area was recently acquired by Dane County Parks from the Dane County Sheriff’s Department with funds donated by the estate of Walter R. Scheidegger. Mr. Scheidegger was born in Riley in 1915 and attended Verona Area High School. He was proud of his Swiss heritage, enjoyed hunting and rides in the country, especially through the Verona area.

Upon passing away in February 2001, Walter donated $534,420 to the Dane County Parks Commission, who established a trust fund in his name. Walter asked that the donation be used for the acquisition and maintenance of park lands in the communities of Riley, Verona and Mt. Vernon, where he was born and raised. He also stated that his preference would be for his gift to be used in the Town of Verona. As such, this large continuous wooded area was acquired in 2002 and named after Mr. Scheidegger.

This former sheriff’s shooting range has been renovated into a public forest as part of the Dane County Parks system. Working with the DNR, a Forest Stewardship Management Plan was developed for improvement thinning.

Barb Walker and Gary Weinert are organizing a “Friends” group of volunteers who will work with the County to maintain the property.

For more information, please visit the Dane County Parks website.


Madison School Forest

Madison School Forest


Madison School Forest, also known as the Jackson School Forest after “Bud” Jackson, encompasses 307 acres of hilly terrain in the southwest corner of the Verona township on Fritz Road. Public landowners of the Madison School Forest are the Madison Metropolitan School District, Friends of the Madison School Forest and WDNR. As a special place of natural biological diversity, the Madison School Forest offers a unique site for students to experience and learn environmental education.

For additional information, please visit the Madison School Forest website.