Anderson Park Friends, Inc.

05/21/2026

Together... We Park! Our latest bird update includes a wood duck using the duck house at the west side of the park. We also have a couple of kestrels nesting in one of our bird boxes. The bluebirds are everywhere. Did you know.... The Arthur Sholts Memorial Forest is a great place to look for red headed woodpeckers.

Join us at: https://bit.ly/3Rlh9Yl.

Enjoy the parkl this weekend!

Dane County Parks. Foundation for Dane County Parks,

05/09/2026

Thank you to everyone who helped make the Anderson Park Friends Spring Festival, co-sponsored with the Oregon Brooklyn Optimists, such a success on Sunday at Anderson Farm County Park. Despite threatening skies early in the morning and strong winds throughout the afternoon, more than 300 people joined us for a fun day outdoors filled with fairy hunts, painted rocks, bubbles, body art, and kites.

The high winds made kite sailing a challenge at times, but the kids kept running, laughing, and trying again. Fun was had by all, and by afternoon the sun finally broke through the clouds.

A special thank you goes out to our dedicated volunteers, supporting local businesses, the Oregon Public Library, and the Oregon-Brooklyn Optimist Club for helping bring this community event to life. The businesses included: Tabby & Jacks, Peaceful Heart, Gorman and Co., One Community Bank Oregon, Fitchburg Farms, Ace Hardware Oregon, Culver's Oregon, Kwik Trip, J.L. Richards, K & A Greenhouse Fitchburg, and Wisco Industries.

Your support, energy, and teamwork made the day memorable for hundreds of families.

Thank you for supporting Anderson Park Friends!
Dane County Parks, Foundation for Dane County Parks, Oregon-Brooklyn Optimist Club, Oregon Observer,

05/03/2026

Kites, Fairies, Family Fun – Spring Festival 🌟
We will conduct the event.
Event Update @ 11:00 a.m. Sunday, May 3rd

The weather has changed for the better. The sun is shining. The wind’s up for kite flying.

The situation will be dry enough for the event. Dress for the weather and occasional wet conditions. We may have some wet spots under trees and in low spots.

See everyone soon.

05/03/2026

Good morning, everyone.

We are still in a holding pattern for deciding whether to conduct the event. Our lead volunteers will discuss the situation around 11:00 a.m., later this morning. We will post an update here as soon as we can. Please stand by.

Situation

Although the Channel 3000 forecast was positive, the rain started at the park around 8:00 a.m. It also started here in Ravenoaks about the same time. So, the rain is (was) widespread. Our lead volunteers met at 8:30 a.m. and observed a steady light rain that had already made the grounds, picnic tables, etc. very wet. The longer grass is holding more moisture.

We’ll reconsider the situation and determine if is worthwhile to conduct the event, even if the weather will substantially improve to the point of drying things out.

We appreciate your patience regarding the event.

Thank you again for taking an interest in our organization and park.

04/15/2026

Let’s keep our eyes open for possible tree damage. More storms coming. See below .

Our forestry crews have busy clearing downed trees from recent storm. If you see staff working, please give them space. This keeps you and our park staff safe. Areas of the parks may be closed for storm cleanup throughout the week

If you see a down tree or blocked trail in a Dane County Park, you can report it to the Dane County Parks Office at (608) 224-3730 or using our Report a Problem form: https://www.danecountyparks.com/report-a-problem

04/13/2026

Scout Work Day @ Anderson Farm County Park 🌱

What a great turnout for this year’s spring work day! Thanks to the energy of scouts, parents, and APF volunteers, we knocked out two meaningful projects that will give back to the community in a real way. Many thanks to Troops 50 and 168.

First, the group built a raised garden bed for growing fresh herbs in the food pantry garden. Then we got our hands in the soil planting onion sets, which are expected to be ready for harvest around July 15—just in time to support the Oregon Food Pantry.

This is what community looks like: people showing up, working together, and making a direct impact for neighbors who need it.

Want to get involved in the food pantry garden? Call Barb Hill at 608-835-9090 to learn how you can help.

Anderson Park Friends: Local hands, lasting impact. Dane County Parks, Foundation for Dane County Parks,
Oregon Area Food Pantry,

03/12/2026

Hi everyone.

I just received a notice from Brian Berkan, Supervisor-Park Rangers, a Dane County Parks natural areas crew is planning a prescribed burn tomorrow afternoon in the dog park. The burn is weather dependent. Signs will be posted at the entrance gates. Dane County Parks. Dane County Land & Water Resources Department
, Foundation for Dane County Parks

Please avoid the area until the work is completed.

Why Do We Burn? Read more at: https://prescribedfire.org/learn/why-we-burn/.

Please forward this message to others as appropriate.

Photo: Sholt Prairie, March 2024

12/02/2025

🌟 Imagine a park where nature thrives because you believed in it. 🌟
Anderson Park Friends has been working tirelessly to restore our community’s green heart — and the impact is already clear. Neighbors now enjoy safer, cleaner hiking trails that bring families outdoors again, and native plant restorations have boosted local wildlife, creating a healthier, more vibrant ecosystem for everyone.
But our work is just beginning. In 2026, APF volunteers will create essential habitat for returning bobolink birds — a rare and joyful sight that depends on the grassland refuge we’re building together.

"This park is a gem-and it wouldn't be the same without the Friends group." Local hiker.

Your support today helps make this future real.

💚 Donate now, on national Giving Day, and help Anderson Park flourish for generations. Go to https://www.andersonparkfriends.org/basic_donation.

Learn more about us at AndersonParkFriends.org.

Dane County Parks, Foundation for Dane County Parks, County Executive Melissa Agard, The OPEN Oregon WI Community Page, Brooklyn, WI Information, BELLEVILLE WISCONSIN INFORMATION PAGE

11/25/2025

Congrats to our partner Rooted. We work with them at the Anderson Farm Center. Dane County Parks, Foundation for Dane County Parks,Oregon Observer, Oregon Area Food Pantry, Oregon Chamber.

11/17/2025

Happy National Take a Hike Day!
There’s no better moment to trade a treadmill for a trail—and now you’ve got miles of trails to explore at Anderson Farm County Park! 🙌

Huge thanks to the Oregon High School Hockey team, who came out last Saturday, November 15th, to help build a new stretch of trail. Opening in 2028. Their energy, teamwork, and community spirit made the day unforgettable.

Hiking doesn’t require a backpack, a mountain, or fancy gear. Sometimes it’s just a quiet evening walk, a detour through the woods, or a moment to breathe deeper and enjoy the outdoors. 🍂
So, grab your friends, bundle up, and head to Anderson Farm County Park, 914 Union Road, Oregon, WI.

Take a hike—and feel good doing it.

If you love seeing projects like this happen, join Anderson Park Friends! Your support keeps the momentum going. 💚. Go to https://bit.ly/47W9zIk.
Dane County Parks, OCA Media, County Executive Melissa Agard, Foundation for Dane County Parks, The OPEN Oregon WI Community Page, Brooklyn, WI Information, Nature Alliance, Oregon School District Community Education & Recreation.