posted Jan 29, 2015, 2:43 PM by Tom DeChant
 Join us from 6 PM to 9 PM on Saturday, February 7th for candlelit Nordic Skiing (or moonlit walking if no snow) in beautiful Turville Point Conservation Park. There will be warming fires, free hot chocolate, S'more fixings, baked goodies and maybe a few local musicians to set the mood. Meet at the entrance to Turville Point off the south parking lot. If the snow cooperates, the trails should be freshly groomed - bring your own skis or rent a pair in advance. This free event is hosted by Friends of Olin-Turville (FOOT) in conjunctions with the Madison Parks Division, with hot chocolate donated by Barriques. |
posted Aug 11, 2014, 8:38 PM by Tom DeChant
It's that time again - free dancin' in the Park every Tuesday night in September from 6 to 8 PM (or later) at the historic Olin Park Pavilion. This year's line-up includes some jumpin' new groups, starting with:- -- September 2nd: The Madison Tango Society. Unleash your inner Latin passion and learn this classic dance of Argentina.
- -- September 9th: Prairie Bayou Cajun Band. Enjoy the dance traditions of Louisiana bayou country.
- -- September 16th: Madison Contra Dance Co-op. A classic, simple and social 'called' folk dance style.
- -- September 23rd: Madison Scottish Country Dancers. Learn the traditional reels, jigs and strathspeys of Scotland.
- -- September 30th: Madison Contra Dance Co-op returns.
All dances are free and start at 6 PM in the historic Olin Park Pavilion. No experience or partner necessary. Come just to watch, or learn a few steps (instruction provided) and join in the fun.
These will be five fun and FOOT-Loose fall evenings - please come join us!! |
posted Jun 5, 2014, 4:52 PM by Tom DeChant
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updated Jun 5, 2014, 4:57 PM
]
The next meeting of FOOT members and friends will be on Monday, June 9th at 6 PM a the Olin Pavilion. The first agenda item and primary focus of this meeting is to develop a plan for winter ski trail use that we can present to the Parks Division. The issue to resolve is the conflict between ski use (the currently-designated use of all the Turville Point trails in winter time) and other uses such as hiking and snow shoeing (which can damage groomed ski trails). Members of Madison Nordic Ski will be present to help us hash out a plan and perhaps suggest improved signage to guide users to the correct trails, uses, and directions. Other issues to discuss, time permitting, are success of the May concert series, the upcoming summer Yoga series, and the proposed fall dance series. Hope to see many of you there. |
posted Apr 6, 2014, 6:38 PM by Tom DeChant
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updated May 6, 2014, 10:40 AM
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Mark you calendars now - every Tuesday night in May, (and one in June), FOOT will bring a FREE live performance to the historic Olin Pavilion from 6 to 8 PM.
Here's the line-up:- o May 6th: Peter and Lou Berryman
- Each concert will be preceded by a guided nature walk in Turville Point Conservation Park at 5 PM. Jim Dexheimer will be your guide.
- Come early with a picnic and bring the whole family. Dancing has been known to occur!
Presented through the cooperation of the Madison Parks Division, with a generous donation from the Saris Cycling Group.
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posted Feb 1, 2014, 1:14 PM by Tom DeChant
Ski Capitol-view, candlelit trails in beautiful Turville Point Conservation Park. Enjoy a free hot chocolate, courtesy of Barriques; a warming fire, local drumming and s'more fixins. If you're already out and about for Madison Winter Fest’s ski around the square, be sure to add this FOOT event to your activities. Come even if there's no snow - a stroll in the moon-lit woods (just avoid those groomed trails!) will be just as fun. Bring your own skis or rent a pair in advance from folks like Fontana Sports, Rutabaga, or REI. Help reduce waste by bringing your own mug for the free hot chocolate. Meet at the main entrance to Turville Point, off the south parking lot. Hosted by FOOT in conjunction with the Madison Parks Department and the generosity of Barriques. |
posted Dec 5, 2013, 8:27 PM by Tom DeChant
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updated Dec 11, 2013, 1:53 PM
]
Our most recent FOOT meeting was held on Tuesday, December 10th  at 6 PM at Barriques on Park Street. Five 'regulars' attended: Ron, Andria, Lisie, Tom and Dex. Here's what we got accomplished:
- February 15th Moonlight ski event
assignments:
- Tents – Tom & neighbors;
tent weights – Ron
- Firewood – Ron, from Parks
Dept.
- Firepits – Tom & Andria
- Candelaria – Andria; lighters – all
- Drummers - Andria
- Hot Chocolate – Tom will ask
Barriques again
- S’mores fixings – Tom; other
food - Lisie, Andria, Ron
- Hot & cold water – Andria
- Forks – Tom, from Parks Dept.
- Chairs - Lisie
- PR and poster – Tom, in coordination
with Winterfest, if possible
- Turville Bay aquatic research project:
- Army Corp of Engineers
sponsored research to test efficacy of chemical treatment (2-4D) vs.
manual cutting for best control of Asian millefoil. Results indicated
manual cutting was more cost-effective, at least during period tested. Dane County is likely to stay with manual
cutting as a result.
- Bluebird trail:
- Nine new bluebird houses will
be set up soon in Quann Park/Wingra Creek area, in time for early spring
nesting. This effort is supported by Madison Audubon.
- Safety update:
- Jim (Dex) will pursue proposed one-way car circulation test around Olin Pavilion loop
in Spring. Goal is to reduce unwanted ‘cruising’.
- Alliant Energy Center update:
- County
has issued an RFP for study of AEC site to include assessments of convention market,
facility condition, highest & best use of real estate, and organizational
options for AEC management/control. AEC Strategic Design Study Committee activities and information
can be tracked at the committee’s website: AECstudy.countyofdane.com
- Fireworks on Lake Monona:
- Discussed
recent public meeting on proposed “Rhythm & Booms” fireworks show next July
on Lake Monona. Concerns were expressed regarding
impact of fireworks on water quality.
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posted Oct 16, 2013, 3:40 PM by Tom DeChant
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updated Oct 17, 2013, 2:09 PM
]
 Four foot members and guest, Jim Lorman, of Friends of Lake Wingra (FoLW) met at Barriques on Park St. on October 15th at 6 PM. Topics covered were: - Wingra Creek Parkway
- Jim Lorman reviewed Wingra Creek Parkway improvements to date and earlier suggestions by FoLW for improvements to the last stretch of unimproved parkway from Olin Ave.to stone railroad bridge (Phase 3). This stretch is due to be redone soon by City of Madison's Engineering division. A public hearing will be held by the city on Thursday, October 17th at 6:30 PM at the Madison Water Utility on Olin Ave. to seek more public input. Ron Shutvet of FOOT will attend and support the idea for a weir at the mouth of Wingra creek in Olin Park to help sustain higher winter water levels in the creek.
Review of August and September FOOT ActivitiesThe September Folk Dance series (three Tuesday evenings) was well attended and folks had fun.
At Madison Bird City Day, September 29th, FOOT volunteer Lisie Kitchel represented Olin-Turville interests. Outcome was suggestion to create purple martin houses and chimney swift habitats in O-T.
On September 14th, a volunteer work party of several FOOT members, 7 students from Badger Rock Middle School and their teachers gathered and tossed wild flower seeds in Turville Conservation Park. Seeds gathered and tossed included: Wild Bergamot, Virginia Wild Rye, Yellow Giant Hyssop, Bottle Brush Grass, and Joe Pie Weed.
All who have seen the Madison Parks Department's new graphic for the kiosk near the pavilion feel it is a great improvement and appreciated having input into the design.
Plans for Upcoming Activities
Si Wistrand's "citizens inventory" of Madison parks' natural areas and their invasives was reviewed. Andria agreed to follow-up to determine whether this should be a focus of FOOT volunteer efforts.
Plans for another winter full-moon ski event were begun. Ron will research appropriate dates.
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posted Sep 3, 2013, 2:52 PM by Tom DeChant
Join us for three September Tuesday evenings of FREE folk dancing in the historic Olin Pavilion. - Tuesday, September 10th: Madison Scottish Country Dancers
- Tuesday, September 17th: Folklore Village Barn Dance
- Tuesday, September 24th: Madison Contra Dance Co-op
All dances are from 6 to 8 PM. Come to watch or come to learn. No experience necessary and no partner required. Dances may include traditional reels, jigs, strathspeys, contras, old-time squares and big circles. Organized by FOOT and supported by the Madison Parks and Police Departments. Come on down!! |
posted Aug 11, 2013, 5:35 PM by Tom DeChant
Come join us next Monday, August 12th at Barriques on Park Street at 6 PM to plan for this fall's dance series, for work parties in the Turville Conservancy, and for other upcoming events. Give us your input on the new kiosk design proposed by the Madison Parks Department. And get updates on the bluebird trail, our participation in the Clean Lakes Festival, park safety, Alliant Energy Center planning, proposed new developments along John Nolen, and long-term visions for the parks and surrounding public and private land. |
posted Jun 10, 2013, 11:26 PM by Tom DeChant
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updated Jun 10, 2013, 11:28 PM
]
Five FOOT members met with Robert Godfrey, local PR consultant, on June 10th at Barriques on Park St. for our regular bi-monthly meeting. We reported out on recent activities that included: four May concerts in the pavilion, two pre-burn clearings and a post-burn seed toss in the Turville Point Conservancy, Olin Park clean-up for Earth Day, a garlic mustard pull, and completion of the blue-bird trail. Robert guided us on how to approach local media to better spread the FOOT message and reach a broader audience. Suggestions for outreach to local 'interested parties', included the Sheraton Hotel, Badger Rock school, the Urban League, and Boys & Girls Club. We also discussed future activities that included a scheduled summer yoga series in the pavilion and a potential fall folk-dance series.
Park improvements were discussed, including progress on securing a bike rack and trail sign for the entrance to the Turville Point Conservancy, and improved FOOT visibility in the sign kiosk near the pavilion. There will be follow-up with the Parks Department on both of these issues.
Finally, there was broad discussion of the need for an update to the seriously obsolete 1985 Olin-Turville master plan. The current Alliant Energy Center expansion plans, the Metcalf-led Nolen Centennial project, and multiple park improvement suggestions by FOOT members all lead to the conclusion that a synthesis of these new ideas needs to be created to intelligently guide development of these two regionally-important parks over the next decades.
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