Options For Blue Mound State Park Unveiled

BLUE MOUNDS - The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) wants the public to learn about and provide additional input on management alternatives being considered for the new Blue Mound State Park Master Plan. 

The new plan could lead to key changes to recreation, natural resource and real estate management. The draft document outlines options for possible expansion of camping, mountain biking, snowmobiling and the park project boundary. There are no major proposed changes to hiking, skiing, swimming, hunting and trapping, snowshoeing and road bicycling. It also includes details regarding hardwood management, hazard mitigation and aesthetics.

Citizens can weigh in on the proposed changes either online or in person at an upcoming public meeting on Nov. 19 in Mount Horeb. The meeting will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Mount Horeb High School Auditorium, 305 S. 8th St. It will include a presentation beginning at 5:45, during which the public will have the opportunity to learn more about the alternatives and submit their input. 

Following the meeting, the public can discuss the alternatives with staff during an open house.

“The Blue Mound State Park Master Plan Management Alternatives reflect the many public uses and ecological capabilities of the property,” said Diane Brusoe, DNR Property Planning Section Chief. “We hope all who are interested in the park take the opportunity to learn more about the alternatives and have their voice heard in this next step of the planning process.”

Back in March of 2019, the DNR hosted an initial public input opportunity, also held in Mount Horeb. The input received at that time helped shape the management alternatives the public can now review and comment on.

Phil Rynish, a program and policy analyst for the DNR, last month updated the Blue Mounds Village Board regarding the lengthy process of drafting the master plan that governs activities and spaces at the park, which is located in the heart of Blue Mounds. 

In recent months, the DNR held public events and put out calls for public comment about how and why people use the park. State officials received an estimated 1,800 responses so far, covering a vast array of topics and aspects of the 1,153-acre property.  The state is in the ongoing process of updating plans for many of its parks. Public lands officials hope to bring all parks into alignment with existing state law by 2024. 

As part of that effort, in June 2018 the Natural Resources Board approved the department’s recommendation to develop a plan revision to the Blue Mound State Park master plan. 

At the March 2019 meeting in Mount Horeb, more than 300 people – among them from cross-country skiers, snowmobilers, dog walkers, bird watchers and more – weighed in. Rynish led the meeting. 

In the ensuing months, the DNR went through the many responses, analyzing the data and coming up with the very beginnings of an updated plan. That document contains several key potential changes, which are detailed here. 

PROJECT BOUNDARY ALTERNATIVES 

A DNR project boundary is “a preferred area established by the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board (NRB) where DNR may acquire land from willing sellers for a project.” The master planning process is an opportunity to review the current project boundary for Blue Mound State Park (BMSP) and “identify any changes needed based on changes to the landscape and resource and recreations needs.” 

The project boundary differs from the park boundary. Lands within the park boundary are currently owned by DNR and managed as part of Blue Mound State Park. Areas outside the park boundary but within the project boundary are not DNR owned or managed, and the DNR may explore the option to purchase these lands in fee title or through easements from willing sellers only. 

Currently, BMSP has 1,153 acres within the park boundary. An additional 172 acres are within the project boundary but not owned by DNR.

The draft plan details a possible park boundary expansion. In total, 1,405 acres would be added. But under this alternative, the project boundary would also contract by 74 acres, bringing the net project boundary gain to 1,331 acres. 

Under this alternative, the project boundary would expand 921 acres in Iowa County to encompass much of the forest block west and north of the park that continues into BMSP. 

The Dane County portion of this expansion is distinct from the Iowa County portion. Dane County has established a natural resource area (NRA) in the Blue Mounds area, which includes Brigham County Park and Blue Mounds County Wildlife Area. In total, 484 acres in Dane County would be included in the project boundary expansion. 

Both agencies have shared resource and recreation management goals in this area and may work together to acquire target parcels from willing sellers. 

Leaving the boundaries as they are is also being considered. 

SNOWMOBILES

According to the 47-page Master Plan Alternatives document, the park has several quite different options to expand the use of snowmobiles, including a Ryan Road connector trail, a service road trail, and a west and north slope trail. A fourth option is to do nothing. 

Snowmobiles currently utilize the unpaved areas along Mounds Park and Ryan roads as a connection between Military Ridge State Trail and the county trail system north of the park. Snowmobiling has attracted a large amount of positive public interest during this and past BMSP master planning efforts. But critics of snowmobiling have also been vocal about their opposition to allowing snowmobilers access to the park, saying they will bother “silent sport” enthusiasts and wildlife. 

The current snowmobile route along the roads has terrain obstacles and, at times, limited clear space. 

The alternatives providing for snowmobile use presented in the Master Plan Alternatives document were developed in consideration of the comments received during the public involvement period. Considerations involved in creation of these alternatives include: Maintaining a safe connection, outside of the right of way ditches, from Military Ridge State Trail to the existing county system trails north of the park; Ensuring that any snowmobile connection opportunities minimize disruption to other activities; Minimizing snowmobile and nonmotorized use trail crossings. 

The DNR evaluated ownership of the current snowmobile route on the Mounds Park and Ryan road rights of way. It concluded that the Town of Brigham has an easement for road purposes but the DNR maintains fee-title ownership of lands underlying both Mounds Park and Ryan roads. This means the department may manage the uses that occur on these lands as long as that management does not interfere with the town’s easements. 

In Dane County, snowmobile trails are only open between December 1 and March 31 when the temperature is a steady 32 degrees Fahrenheit and at least six inches of snow is on the ground.

The DNR points out that snowmobiling in the park is likely to lead to “social challenges.” Calling motorized recreation activities “asymmetrical in their social impacts,” planners pointed out that snowmobilers “tend to accept other uses while those opposed to snowmobiling near their recreational activity may have negative reactions to snowmobiles.” 

To address this potential social impact, Alternatives 1, 3 and 4 constrain motorized park uses to existing motorized corridors or new corridors away from existing uses in the park.

Alternative 1: Mounds Park – Ryan Road Connector Trail 

A 1.4-mile snowmobile trail following the Mounds Park Road to Ryan Road corridor would be constructed under Alternative 1. The trail would be a two-way trail and would generally be at least 40 feet from the paved road to comply with s. 350.02(2)(b)4. a., Wis. Stats. The trail may be constructed within 40 feet of the paved roadway if sufficient vegetation is present to serve as a headlamp barrier and the topography is suitable. The trail would be 12-feet wide. If Alternative 1 is selected, selection of Cross-Country Skiing Alternative 1 or slight adjustments to the alignment of existing recreational opportunities, including the Pleasure Valley ski trail crossing of Mounds Park Road, may be necessary. Any modifications “would be intended to enhance the safety of all park users while minimizing impact on existing recreational opportunities.”

Alternative 2: 

Service Road Trail 

In Alternative 2, a snowmobile trail would connect the Military Ridge Trail to the club trails north of the park primarily utilizing an existing service road through the valley in the eastern portion of the park, commonly known as Pleasure Valley. The portion of the trail connecting the Military Ridge Trail to the existing service road would be constructed. Where feasible, this path would follow non-designated trails and a park service road currently closed to motorized vehicle use that currently exist on the landscape. The service road portion of the trail would need minimal improvement to sustain a snowmobile trail. This trail would follow a path similar to the former snowmobile trail that is believed to have operated until the early 1990s. 

Alternative 3: West 

and North Slope Trail 

Alternative 3 would create a new snowmobile trail corridor, constructed west of the park. The trail as currently drawn is conceptual, and no trail locations have been sited. The snowmobile trail would likely be constructed almost entirely outside of the existing park boundaries and would support two-way snowmobile traffic. Under this alternative the trail would traverse the west and north slopes of Blue Mound from the Military Ridge State Trail to the county trail system north of the park. This alternative would place a connecting trail on land that is currently privately owned. The DNR does not own land where this Alternative 3 trail would be located. 

Alternative 4: Status Quo 

Under the “Status Quo” alternative, snowmobiling would continue to be authorized only within the portion of the Mounds Park and Ryan road rights of way that are not traveled by motor vehicles. This area is the unpaved portion of the right of way where snowmobiling currently occurs. The snowmobile route would continue to follow Mounds Park and Ryan roads to connect the Military Ridge State Trail and the club-maintained snowmobile trails on private lands north of BMSP. 

All snowmobiling alternatives would connect to existing snowmobile trails outside of the park. According to the document, Alternatives 1, 2 and 3 would “provide a more desirable snowmobiling experience.” 

Alternative 1 would keep snowmobiles near Mounds Park and Ryan roads where snowmobiles currently operate. The trail would be built as close to the paved portions of the roadway as feasible and practicable given physical and legal considerations. By keeping snowmobiling in an area already traveled by snowmobile and other motorized vehicles, Alternative 1 offers the opportunity to improve the snowmobiling experience while keeping conditions close to status quo. During the initial public involvement period, nonmotorized and motorized trail crossings were a subject of concern. 

Alternative 2 offers the opportunity to establish a snowmobile trail connection with few intersections with nonmotorized recreation trails. It relies on existing infrastructure, which would also result in lower construction costs and less impact to vegetation. 

Alternative 3 offers the opportunity to improve the snowmobiling experience while connecting Military Ridge State Trail to county trail system north of the park without utilizing areas currently within park boundaries. This creates the opportunity to establish a snowmobile trail with little to no impact on existing uses. Connection of the Military Ridge State Trail with the county trail system north of the park through all of the alternatives maintains a component of the larger county snowmobile systems in Dane and Iowa counties. Specifically, the connection through the BMSP is a small portion of an approximately 40-mile loop of snowmobile trails that connects the communities of Blue Mounds, Black Earth, Cross Plains and Mount Horeb.

Alternatives 1, 2 and 3 would maintain this connected loop while enhancing the riding experience through and near the park. The status quo alternative would maintain the connection of the county snowmobile trail system while not creating additional impact on other recreational activities at the park. Additionally, the status quo is not anticipated to require construction.

According to the DNR, given the conceptual nature of the snowmobile alternatives it is difficult to fully estimate the fiscal impact of a potential new trail. The status quo route is not maintained by DNR and its selection would have minimal to no fiscal impact. The main costs associated with Alternatives 1 and 2 are snowmobile trail construction costs. The longer the trail that needs to be constructed, the higher the construction costs. Thus, Alternative 1 is likely to have higher construction costs than Alternative 2 given that Alternative 2 relies on an existing service road for much of its length. Alternatives 1 and 2 would likely be sited entirely on land currently owned by the State of Wisconsin and would not require the department to acquire land. Alternative 3, as conceptually drawn, is the longest trail and would require construction. Alternative 3 would not likely utilize any existing public land and thus, any land acquisition would have costs. Completion of Alternative 3 would likely to have the greatest fiscal impact of the snowmobiling alternatives. 

Local snowmobile clubs would be tasked with funding the construction and maintenance of the trails under all alternatives.

CAMPING 

Camping is a popular activity at BMSP. Currently, camping occurs in two campgrounds; the Family Campground (which includes 78 sites) and the Bike/Hike Campground (which has 12 sites). The accessible Mayberry Cabin is also available for people with disabilities. The DNR planning team has formed new camping management alternatives for the public’s consideration. 

Camping Alternative 1 would expand family and group camping options. A new campground loop would be authorized to be added to the Family Campground. This new loop would include up to 50 sites. The family campground loop would be north of the current Family Campground and would be accessible by car. The new loop would have access to the current shower facility and may include electrical hook-ups at a portion of the campsites. 

Camping Alternative 2 would include new group camp area would be added east of the current Family Campground. 

There could also be up to ten additional sites would authorized in the Bike/Hike Campground. These sites would be similar to the current sites in the Bike/Hike Campground. The DNR said the campground would remain “rustic.” 

CROSS-COUNTRY 

SKIING 

Blue Mound State Park is also a popular cross-country skiing destination. During the initial comment period, the public largely expressed satisfaction with the current cross-country skiing opportunities at BMSP. 

The planning team has developed two cross-country skiing alternatives, both of which largely or completely maintain the current trail system. In one, cross country skiing trails would be adjusted to improve the Mounds Park Road crossing. A new trail would be constructed utilizing a former powerline corridor to reach the Park Entrance Road. The trail would parallel the Park Entrance Road to its intersection with Mounds Park Road. Under this alternative, all Mounds Park Road crossings would happen at an intersection as a crosswalk. The exact crossing paths would be determined during implementation. Bridge or boardwalk facilities would be constructed as necessary. The department anticipates that it would request the Mounds Park Road and Park Entrance Road intersection become an all-way stop. If Snowmobile Alternative 1 or 4 are selected, stop signs would be installed at the intersection. 

MOUNTAIN BIKING 

The planning team has developed two alternatives for mountain biking at BMSP. 

Under Alternative 1 the mountain bike trail system would be adjusted to offer riding opportunities to beginner, intermediate and advanced riders. Or, a more sustainable trail system that requires less work to maintain by adopting modern trail designs that limit soil movement and allow the trails to reopen more quickly after the spring melt and precipitation events could be pursued. Another option is a connection to Brigham County Park. This connection would only be developed if Dane County authorizes and develops mountain bike trails at the county park.

Master plans for state parks are generally supposed to be updated every 15 years. The results of the current update will be a new document that replaces the existing 1984 master plan. A master plan, guided by Chapter NR 44 in the Wisconsin Ad-ministrative Code, establishes the level and type of resource management and public use permitted on state-managed proper-ties.

The Blue Mound State Park management alternatives being presented at the Nov. 19 meeting are options or concepts the DNR planning team is considering for recommendation in the eventual draft master plan. Management alternatives include topics such as project boundary adjustments, camping, mountain biking, snowmobiling, and forest and grassland manage-ment. A master plan, guided by Chapter NR 44, Wisconsin Administrative Code, establishes the level and type of resource management and public use permitted on department-managed properties.

In addition to the public meeting, people can review information about the proposed Blue Mound State Park Master Plan al-ternatives online (at dnr.wi.gov) which is also a great way to learn about and give input on the management alternatives. The public can read the management alternatives document and submit comments using the interactive public input form.

Downloadable input forms that may be sent it via U.S. Mail are also available.

Printed copies of the management alternatives document are available to read at the Blue Mound State Park Office or Friends Shelter. Hard copy input forms are also available to submit at the park.

Perched atop the highest point in southern Wisconsin, Blue Mound State Park offers spectacular views, opportunities to see and learn about unique geological features and a variety of recreational facilities. Over 20 miles of scenic trails, access to the Military Ridge State Trail, bike-in campsites, a family campground, summer swimming pool, and a rustic cabin for people with disabilities make Blue Mound a popular year-round destination.

In addition to the opportunities to offer input online, at the property or at the public meeting, people may contact DNR Planner Phil Rynish, by email at phillip.rynish@wisconsin.gov, phone at 608-266-5854, or U.S. mail at Phil Rynish, Wiscon-sin DNR, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI, 53707-7921.

The public comment period for the management alternatives is open through Dec. 2, 2019. Visit the DNR website for more information on property planning.