Archives
[Back] [Email to a Friend] [Printer Friendly Version]A Very Special Park Breaks Ground
Geared Toward Disabled People
The Capital Times :: METRO :: 3B
Saturday, August 30, 2003
A special county park dedicated to connecting people with disabilities to the outdoors became closer to reality Friday with groundbreaking ceremonies near Post Road.The Jenni and Kyle Preserve in the Dane County Nine Springs E-Way, when it is completed next year, will include a parking area, shelter building, restrooms and picnic areas, two fishing ponds, trails and observation areas, all accessible to people with disabilities.
Retiring Dane County Parks Director Ken LePine, who has worked for years to move the project forward, was among the officials turning shovels of dirt Friday.
"This groundbreaking is also a fitting tribute to Ken LePine's last day on the job as Dane County parks director," said County Executive Kathleen Falk. "His heart and vision for our parks system guided his great leadership over the past 13 years as director and a total of 22 years with Dane County Parks."
Also on hand for Friday's ceremony were Patricia and Harvey Wilmeth, of Mequon, who got the park project started in 1988 with a $100,000 donation to the county for purchase of wetlands and uplands which include two spring fed ponds.
The Jenni and Kyle Preserve is named after their two grandchildren, Jenni and Kyle Geurkink of Belleville. Both children died at age 4 from degenerative neurological diseases.
Construction of the facilities at the park was delayed as officials sought to purchase land that would make the park accessible from Post Road. When commercial lots became available in 2000, the city of Madison was able to extend Post Road to give access to the site.
Along with the initial donation from the Wilmeths, Dane County committed $95,000 for the purchase and the state Department of Natural Resources provided $140,000. The Capital Times helped the Friends of Dane County Parks raise more than $66,000, the Madison Community Foundation donated $40,000 and the Madison Fishing Expo kicked in $10,000.
"All of us, including children and adults with disabilities, love to get out in nature," Falk said. "I'm tremendously grateful to the generous donors who helped make this unique park a reality."
The Jenni and Kyle Preserve is located next to the new Madison Area Rehabilitation Centers facility on Post Road, making it readily available to MARC clients.
Donations to the Jenni and Kyle Preserve may be sent to the Friends of the Park Foundation, 2809 Columbia Road, Madison, WI 53705, or to the Dane County Parks Department, 4318 Robertson Road, Madison, WI 53714.
