Edna Taylor Conservation Park
Madison, WI 53716 Directions
Acres: 60.27
A glacial drumlin rising above a broad ribbon of marsh forms the backbone of this southeast Madison Park. On-going projects are oak savanna and wetland restorations. Nearby Dr. Virginia Henderson Elementary School (formerly Glendale School) and Aldo Leopold Nature Center use the park extensively for environmental education.
Celebrate 50 years of conservation parks in Madison, view the Edna Taylor Conservation Park video.
Help us identify plant species found at Edna Taylor Conservation Park. We welcome your help in verifying and updating this list. Feel free to send us any notes or information you may have about the plant community at Edna Taylor, including the dates you observe the different species to hquinlan@cityofmadison.com.
Features 1.4 miles of trails and a boardwalk.
Bird & Nature Adventures: Explore this park with a free, volunteer-led, guided nature walk offered monthly and year-round.
Also see: Friends of Edna Taylor Conservation Park
Burial Mound Policy
Created with assistance from the Wisconsin Historical Society and the Ho-Chunk Nation, and approved by the Board of Park Commissioners in October 2019, the policy provides guidelines and procedures for managing burial mounds located in Madison Parks. Burial mound locations are also included in the policy.
At this Park
Native American Burial Mounds
Built: ca. 700 - 1200 A.D.
Description: Six linear mounds and one panther burial are located on a high glacial drumlin along the eastern side of the Edna Taylor Conservancy. Originally another linear mound followed the hill crest to the north of the existing group and a conical mound and another very long linear mound extended to the south. To best preserve, this area is no longer part of the trail system in this park.
The mound group was designated a City of Madison landmark on May 7, 1990 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
The mounds are considered sacred by modern Native Americans and should be treated with respect.
Snowshoeing
In general parks, snowshoeing is allowed anywhere with good snow cover; typically, this means at least 6" or more. Snowshoeing is not allowed off-trail in a conservation park or on a designated cross-country ski trail.
Trails
Explore the many scenic trails and pathways throughout Madison Parks.