Site work for a playground / park / athletic field in Fitchburg, Wisconsin. Conceptual plans call for site work for a playground / park / athletic field.

Residents from both Fitchburg and Madison neighborhoods near Dunn's Marsh have been working with the cities of Fitchburg and Madison as well as Dane County to discuss and request a completion of the recreational circuit around Dunn's Marsh by adding a boardwalk connection within the marsh between the Capital City Trail and the Cannonball Trail for many years. Most recently there has been talk of the desirability of using this opportunity to create a Community Park on the west side of the city at Dunn's Marsh, one which highlights both the myriad of biking opportunities around Dunn's Marsh as well as the opportunities to observe and work with nature in the Dawley Conservancy. If Dunn's Marsh becomes a community park, the funding source for a new boardwalk would likely be eligible for funding from park fees from developments. Since the city built the Apache Pond Boardwalk a few years ago, we have a pattern that we can replicate. While costs will be updated as the time gets closer, the estimate for the complete project will be about $250,000, half of which would come from a County Parc grant, and a quarter each from the cities of Fitchburg and Madison. A legal determination on eligibility of this project for use of park fees in lieu of land dedication has not yet been made. 2023-2032 CIP Update: Delayed from 2025 to 2028 to allow more time to obtain commitments from funding partners and staff research. 2024-2033 Council Amendment: Delayed from 2028 to 2029 to allow more time to obtain commitments from funding partners and staff research. As of September 23, 2024, this project is included in the City of Fitchburg's FY 2024 2033 CIP and the project has been delayed to 2029. *Project information has been obtained through a public capital improvement plan (CIP). A CIP is a financial schedule for short- and long-range projects which is updated regularly. Information listed in the CIP often evolves based on funding availability and the project details, including timeline and value, are subject to change. The content management team will continue to pursue additional details as they become available.