News Archives
7/16/10 - Summer Newsletter Released
The Sumer newsletter for 2010 has been released and can be seen here. This newsletter contains updates on recent projects like the office prairie and Deer Cove kiosk as well as the planned fall Candlelight Hike (which will be held on Oct. 9). Go check it out!
6/8/10 - June workday announced
On 6/12/10 our Pitch in at the Park workday will be to start clearing paths to the Stephens' homestead. The Stephens farm was not the first nor the biggest of properties incorporated into what is now Governor Dodge State Park, but is becoming the most popular areas. With the existing springhouse and the foundation to the house still tucked away in the woods, this area could become a fine example of early Wisconsin farmlife. If you'd like to help clear a path to the foundation, come by and help!
6/1/10 - New firewood laws
As of June 1st, new firewood laws are in effect. Firewood is not allowed outside of 25 miles from the park. Any firewood brought from outside 25 miles will be confiscated. People are encouraged to buy locally and to buy only what you need. You should not transport any firewood you bought for your camping trip. Burn what you buy. Consider buying wood from the Friends group, it can be purchased at the park office. All profits from firewood sales at the office benefit the Friends of Governor Dodge.
4/14/10 - Spring Turkey Hunting Begins
Today marks the beginning of Spring Turkey Hunting. Hunting will continue for periods A (4/14-4/18), B (4/21-425) and C (4/28-5/2). To obtain a Turkey Hunting map, see the DNR website.
3/28/10 - Spring Workdays
April Pitch in at the Park to be rescheduled. There will no longer be a workday on April 10th. We will instead have a workday closer to Earthday. It will probably be on a Saturday either before or after Earth Day. Garlic Mustard removal will be one of the activities.
May workday announced 5/8/10 9AM-Noon. We will be working on invasive species control. Bring your own gloves and meet at the park shop.
3/12/10 - Road to Twin Valley Lake is Open
As winter comes to a close, the park is once again able to open the road to Twin Valley Lake. The road between Cox Hollow Lake and Twin Valley Campground will still be closed for another week or more due to ice and snow. Along with the road openings, it is a sign that skiing trails are at an end. Hikers and pets are again allowed on the trails.
1/8/10 - Road to Twin Valley Lake Closed
The road to Twin Vally Lake will be closed for the season. There is still access to Stephens' Falls, Meadow Valley Trail head and Twin Valley Campground. Park staff closed the road to the Twin Valley day use area due to unsafe road conditions. Lack of staff and budgetary constraints are the main reasons for the closure. The road is expected to open at the end of the winter season.
1/3/10 - Reminder for hikers
Hikers, please remember that it is illegal to hike, snowshoe or bring pets onto ski trails when they are snow-covered. Footprints cause divets in the snow and detroy groomed skiing lanes which can be dangerous for skiiers. Ski trails in the park include Meadow Valley, Lost Canyon, Mill Creek and Lakeview. There are plenty of opportunities for hiking in the winter. Suggested trails include: Uplands, Pine Cliff, Cox Hollow Campground, Twin Valley Campfground (300 loop) and the Group Camp. Please consider one of these trails when hiking. Thank You!
12/7/09 - Candlelight Ski and the Winter Newsletter
The 2010 Candlight Ski has been scheduled! We will once again host the ski and this year we'd like for you to join us on January 16th, 2010 from 6-9 PM at the Cox Hollow Beach Area. You can read more about it here.
I may have been a little late in posting, but you can now view the Fall/Winter 2009 Newsletter. This installment features an article about the firewood building, recent park and Friends honors and much more! There is also an attached from for new and renewed membership. Please take the time to enjoy these articles.
10/23/09 - Our Friend Duane is selected FWSP Hero of the Year!
At the Annual Friends of Wisconsin State Parks Banquet, our Friend Duane was awarded the Hero of the Year! Duane is best known for his contributions to the firewood effort as well as many other projects. He has been the Friends Treasurer for many years and we are proud to call him a friend. Join us in congratulating him! Other news from the banquet is that Governor Dodge was awarded the FWSP Golden Seal Award for Best Trail Feature (Stephens' Falls). If you don't know much about it, Stephens' Falls can be seen from a short walk down a paved trail and is a great sight any time of the year.
10/2/09 - Candlelight Hike 2009 is Fast Approaching
Join us for a fun day enjoying the fall colors of Governor Dodge State Park. Events include t-shirt painting, a guided naturalist hike and the popular candlelight hike where you can experience the sights and smells of autumn in a new way. Save the date: 10/10/09! Click here for details.
8/5/09 - Smokey Bear's Birthday Party
The Friends are honored to once again host Smokey's birthday party at the amphitheater on August 8 at 7:00 PM. Stop by to join us for fun, celebration and birthday cake! As always check out our Calendar for more events.
6/21/09 - Summer 2009 Newsletter Released
Get it here.
6/3/09 - More Info on the Endowment Fund
This page will give you more information of the endowment fund.
5/21/09 - Friends Sign into Action Endowment Fund
The Friends signed into action the "Friends of Governor Dodge State Park Endowment Fund" today. The Natural Resources Foundation offers management of endowment funds to groups and have agreed to manage a fund for the Friends. This will become a permanent source of funding for the group. We are very excited and proud to be able to provided a long-term fund that will continue to benefit the Friends and Governor Dodge State Park. Stay tuned for a new webpage detailing the fund and how you may be able to contribute.
4/24/09 - "Work Play Earth Day" has been cancelled
Due to expected inclement weather, the volunteer workday on Saturday April
25 has been cancelled. But don't FRET, the Friends of Gov Dodge already have
several other workdays scheduled. Please join us on the second Saturday of
each month in the summer for "Pitch-In at the Park" events. The dates are
5/9, 6/13, 7/11 and 8/8.
Contact Us for more info or see our
Calendar.
3/30/09 - Up and Running Again
The switch has been made, the bugs have been fixed and the fat has been trimmed.
As far as I know, everything that was not working should be working again.
You'll find the photo album
re-worked, a new section about picnic shelters
as well as a few other minor updates. As always, if anybody notices an error or
something that needs updating, please, Contact Us.
Thank you for continuing to enjoy Governor Dodge State Park!
3/28/09 - Making Upgrades.
FriendsofGovDodge.org is switching webhosts. Over the next week or so,
some features may not be available for a short time. We are sorry for
any inconvience and we hope to be up and running better than ever as soon
as we can! If you have any questions, please contact us.
12/17/08 - We need your opinion, take our POLL.
The park is trying to find ways to better serve you, the visitors, in these times of ever decreasing budgets. We would like to hear your views on non-motorized trail use in Governor Dodge. Do you hike, ski, or snowshoe? Do you prefer trails groomed or not? How do you find current conditions? Please take the time to answer a few poll questions. Thank You!
12/4/08 - Greater Access to Snowshoeing/Hiking Trail
New this year, snowshoers and winter hikers will have greater access to the stable loop with the addition of a new parking area. This roughly 2.5 mile loop is normally a horse trail used primarily by a local stable in the summer months and circles through prairies, woodland and crop fields. The park added a parking area this year to allow greater access for fall and winter use. This area will become the recommended place for snowshoeing and hiking in the winter. Pets are welcome on the snowshoe trails!
Remmember - hiking, snowshoeing and pets are prohibited on ski trails when there is snow.
|
