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around town | nature | parks |
swimming | farms | farmer's
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Don't forget to visit the Day
Trips page for
more outdoor fun!
Art
Cart @ Madison Museum of Cont. Art
The popular and free outdoor Art Cart program hits the road again
this summer beginning June 14 for Art Cart EXTRA! and June 19
for Art Cart. Borth programs offer a variety of individual and
group art projects planned for children ages 4 through 8; older
children are welcome too. Children under age 5 must be accompanied
by a supervising adult.
Art Cart, a joint program of MMoCA and Madison
School & Community
Recreation (MSCR), takes place at school playgrounds, parks,
and beaches across Madison. Art Cart EXTRA! is a program of MMoCA
and visits parks and playgrounds in Black Earth, Cross Plains,
DeForest, Fitchburg, Lake Mills, Monona, Mount Horeb, Stoughton,
Sun Prairie, Verona, and Waunakee. Visit their website for the
schedule and locations!
Olbrich's
Gardens-
The outdoor gardens at Olbrich is one of my toddlers favorite
places to go. Open to the public and free, the gardens have
paths and walkways, wild areas, manicured rose gardens, bridges
and wildlife, waterfalls and fountains and butterflies to follow.
There is also a park at the end of the parking lot with swings
and slides.
UW
Arboretum - Family Programs ... On the second
Saturday of every month, we offer a two-hour, kid-friendly program
that
uses nature hikes, stories, crafts and activities
to explore animals, plants and natural phenomena. On the second
Sunday of every month, we offer a one-hour family walk with
topics that are especially appealing to youngsters.
Henry Vilas Zoo -Henry Vilas Zoo is surrounded
by a park. The city park includes lush open green spaces for
active play, as well as two playgrounds for children to explore.
We are free, so come visit us as often as you'd like, whenever
you'd like! The Zoo concession stands sell great food at very
reasonable prices, including: hot dogs, bratwursts, barbecues,
ice cream, beverages and many other treats. Strollers, wagons
and wheelchairs are for rent at the upper concession stand. There
are no stairs on the Zoo grounds, just rolling pathway. Your
free Zoo is wheelchair accessible and trouble-free! Limited lot
parking, some parking available on side streets (watch the signs
for no-parking areas on certain days).
Nature Net:
The Environmental Learning Network
300 Femrite Drive, Monona
(608) 221-9095
www.naturenet.com
Nature Net is a consortium of not-for-profit nature centers, parks and museums
dedicated to encouraging and fostering in Wisconsin school children a love and
understanding of the natural world. Sustaining environmental education through
family programs, class field trips and hands-on learning experiences, Nature
Net offers free and low-cost outdoor resources — online at www.naturenet.com
or on-site at locations throughout the Dane County area.
Earth
Focus Day Camp
Now in its 17th season, Earth Focus Day Camp continues to create
outstanding summer nature programs for children ages 3-14. With
more than 1,200 acres containing many different ecosystems including
the oldest restored tall grass prairie in the world, the UW-Madison
Arboretum provides hands-on experience with native Wisconsin
plants, animals and habitats.
The research and restoration taking place here teaches children
that they can be a positive influence on their world. Our naturalists
are enthusiastic and experienced, but the real teacher at Earth
Focus Day Camp is our most treasured resource, the land.
Earth Focus Day Camp runs from June through August.
Search Dane County Parks here.
Search City Parks here.
The
Dream Park @ McKee Farms Park - Great dream
park with a big kids area and the tot lot with special toddler
& preschool sized equipment. No shade, so wear the sunscreen
and go early!
The Dream Park in Monona -
A more shady dream p ark - nice play area. Older park, so mulch
is not too fresh and some equipment is worn out, and sand hasn't
been replaced for the digging areas in a long time - but this
is the only dream park with shade and it is nice on those hot
days!
The new Deerfield Dreampark -
Enclosed all the way around (but for the
entrance) so it is easier to keep the kids from 'escaping', large
tot play area which includes slides, playhouses, digging area
(with digger), bells, swings, tunnels, and bridges. Bigger kids
area includes climbing wall, jungle gym areas, several big slides,
balance beams, tire swings and more. VERY new and VERY nice (just
no shade). Restroom facilities with water fountain and clean
changing table. How to get there: From Hwy 12/18 east, go north
on Hwy 73. Turn left on Washburn Rd. and go left on Autumn Wood
Pkwy.
Sun Prairie - NEW DREAMPARK! Info coming soon.
The Goodman
Aquatic Center is a 5,500 square foot
5-year old pool located at the beautiful Irwin A. and Robert
D. Goodman Jewish Community Campus. The Goodman Aquatic Center
is a "family-friendly" PUBLIC outdoor pool located
on Highway PD, just 5 minutes from Mineral Point Rd. There is
a zero-depth entry which is perfect for young children, a "mushroom" waterfall
along with other fun
bubbling fountains in the shallow section. The shaded deck and lounge chairs
along with the great concessions stand make it a perfect place to spend the day.
Daily and season passes are available. JewishMadison.org has
photos and more information, including a complete 2008 schedule.
Monona
City Pool - The Monona Community Pool was
totally redesigned and constructed in 1993, making it one of
the most spectacular water parks in the area. It is the pearl
of the city, with a diving area, lap swimming lanes, a special "Kiddie
Pool" fun area, and an exciting water slide.
The pool is open from Memorial Day weekend through the Labor
Day weekend. Open swimming is offered every afternoon, and the
pool has evening hours until 8:30pm daily. Morning swimming lessons
are offered, and there is a noon-hour "adults only" lap
swim and water aerobic class offered.
Sun
Prairie Family Aquatic Center - The Family
Aquatic Center is every kid's dream, with an outdoor water slide,
numerous fountains, sand volleyball courts and 210 foot beach
entrance for hours of fun. Browse our website to get great deals
on pool passes, discover exciting programs (pan for gold at the
pool!) and learn how to sign your kids up for lessons. When it's
a hot summer day and your kids are watching too much TV, take
them to the pool. You'll all be glad you did.
New
Goodman Madison City Pool - Whether you want
to swim laps, join an aqua aerobics class, teach the kids to
swim or simply cool off,the Irwin A. and Robert D. Goodman Swimming
Pool is for you!
YMCA
East Water Area - JACKSPLASH, the new shallow
water play area at the YMCA on the east side.
A-Z Farm Tours
1820 Schuster Rd., Oregon
(608) 835-5553
At A-Z Farm we provide an interesting and educational experience
relating to animal agriculture and life on the farm. We offer
direct contact and explain how animals are a part of agriculture
and contribute to a wholesale safe environment. There will be
lambs, chicks, bunnies and other animals to see and touch. Visitors
can ask questions and see farm related displays. Early spring
visits will be in an indoor facility. This is the time lambs
are being born and will include information appropriate for the
group. From late April, tours are primarily out of doors, sheep
are on pasture and includes a hayride. All tours must be scheduled
in advance. For more information visit our Web site at www.a-zfarm.com
or call (608) 835-5553.
WSJ
Guide to all the local farmer's markets
Dane
County Farmer's Market - the big one, downtown
Farm
Fresh Atlas - Listing of local markets
MACSAC -
The Madison Area Community Supported Agriculture Coalition promotes
and supports local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farms
that provide organically grown produce to people throughout southern
Wisconsin. MACSAC coordinates community and grower education
programs about the benefits of locally, sustainably grown foods
and operates the Partner Shares Program which raises funds to
subsidize CSA memberships for households on a limited income.
With a CSA share, families can visit their farms
for festivals, upicks and special events and see where their
food comes from!
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