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Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park - Mendota

Address: | 4338 Beilfuss Drive |
Hours: | 4:00am - dusk |
Park Type: | Conservation |
Acres: | 122.08 |
Restroom: | No |
Drinking Water: | No |
Shoreline On: | Lake Mendota |
Park Details
Trailheads on Veith Ave., Sauthoff Rd., and Knutson Dr. access 0.6 miles of trails through lowland oak forest. Access also through Westport Meadows Park. See map for details.
The 122-acre Mendota Unit of Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park is a diverse assemblage of emergent marsh, shrub-carr, and mesic oak forest plant communities. Shrub-carr is a specific wetland community type composed of tall shrubs such as red-osier dogwood, aspen, and various willows. It often occurs in transitional areas between open and forested wetlands, as it does here. The marsh to woodland boundary also contains an alder thicket community, an especially rare vegetation type for Dane County, but one common farther north.
Park Highlights
The forest bordering the wetlands here are high quality and contain many large-diameter red and white oaks along with black cherry, red maple, hackberry, and box elder. Despite evidence of limited logging, and possibly grazing, the trees all exhibit growth forms characteristic of the intense light competition typical of mature forest. This, along with the presence of spring ephemeral wildflowers such as Dutchman's breeches, cut-leaved toothwort, and trout lily, indicates the existence of forest conditions here for quite some time.Visit Friends of Cherokee Marsh for more information.
Land Management
Management History
The park acreage was assembled from various parcels beginning in the early 1980s to both protect the best remaining portions of Cherokee Marsh and to buffer the marsh from storm-water runoff resulting from an expected housing development in the Mendota neighborhood. A trail system was established in 1997 following the removal of a house in the interior of the property.
Restoration Efforts
Relatively little effort at ecosystem restoration has occurred here due to the higher quality habitats initially observed. However, since acquisition two forces have been leading to declines in herbaceous layer quality and extent: 1) forest succession to more shade- adapted tree species like basswood, maple, and hackberry; and 2) invasion by various invasive, exotic species. Species like basswood and maple produce shadier conditions at ground level than oaks do, thereby suppressing the development of diverse wildflower assemblages. Second, a number of invasive herbaceous species such as dame's rocket, garlic mustard, and Japanese hedge parsley have established dense populations as have shrubs like buckthorn, honeysuckle, multi-flora rose, and winged euonymus. Future management work will target these species.
How you can help
Learn to identify dame's rocket, garlic mustard, and Japanese hedge parsley. Then pull some of these plants from an area along the trail. This will help prevent the seeds from being carried away to invade new areas. Pile the plants in a central location to condense the infestation, or better yet, put them in plastic trash bags and take them with you. (There is a trashcan in the adjacent Westport Meadows Park.)
The Friends of Cherokee Marsh host several volunteer workdays throughout the year and throughout Cherokee Marsh.
At this Park
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Hiking
OPEN WITH PRECAUTIONS: When spending time outside during COVID-19, please follow these recommendations from Public Health Madison & Dane County:- Maintain a physical distance of at least 6' from anyone outside your household.
- Some trails are bike and pedestrian shared. Bicyclists, remain 6' from pedestrians and give a courtesy alert to others that you are passing on the left.
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Scenic Overlook
Many of the Madison Parks are located in ideal locations for sight seeing. Enjoy the view! View all Scenic Overlooks -
Snowshoeing
Experience winter in Madison Parks like never before with snowshoeing! This silent sport is a fantastic way to explore many of our parks during the winter months and is easy to learn.
NEW - Snowshoe Rentals at Vilas Park
When the ice rinks are open and we are staffed at Vilas Park, stop over for a pair of snowshoes to rent. Be sure to check the ice skating page for the status, select the Vilas frozen lagoon or rink for hours - Wednesday - Sunday.
RATESSnowshoe Rentals Adult (16 & older) Youth (15 & under) Hourly $5 $2 Additional Hour $2 $2 Daily (24 hours) $25 $10 Additional day $15 $5
TIPS - Where is snowshoeing allowed?- DO snowshoe anywhere in a general park with good snow-cover, except on a cross-country ski groomed trail (Door Creek, Elver, Odana Hills, and Yahara Hills).
- DO snowshoe on a trail in any conservation park, except those groomed for cross-country skiing (Cherokee Marsh South, Owen, and Turville Point)
- DO snowshoe with sufficient snow (typically 4" or more).
- DON'T snowshoe off-trail in a conservation park.
- Snowshoeing, hiking, and skiing off-trail can destroy snow tunnels used by native small rodents (deer mice, shrews) by the trampling effect. These small mammals are an important part of the wetland and grassland ecology in our conservation parks. Destruction of these tunnel networks makes the small mammals more vulnerable to predation.
- When in doubt, it's always best to stay on a trail.
- Our trail systems are designed to facilitate controlled public access while protecting environmentally sensitive areas and providing quiet refuges for wildlife away from people. Disruption of wildlife by human activity during the winter puts additional stress on them during a challenging time for their survival.
- Learn more about snowshoeing in Madison Parks:
- Read Your Guide to Snowshoeing in Madison Parks
- Subscribe to Winter Recreation News
About This Park
Get to This Park
Conservation Park Rules
Conservation Parks are uniquely managed to further protect native species and wildlife. The following rules apply to all conservation designated parks.
Bicycles & Motor Vehicles
Bicycles and motor vehicles are restricted to entrance roads and parking lots.
Dogs
Dogs and horses are not allowed.
Fire
Fires and picnics are prohibited.
Firearms
No firearms or weapons are permitted in the restrooms or shelters. Violators are considered trespassers and subject to forfeiture or arrest.
Glass
Glass is not allowed.
Hunting & Trapping
Hunting and trapping are prohibited.
Open Hours
Conservation park hours are 4am until one hour after sunset.
Plants
All plants and animals are protected. Disturbance or removal requires written permission.
Trails
Stay on and use designated trails only.
Trash & Recycling
Place trash in container provided. Please take recyclable material home for proper disposal.