Park System Goals and Objectives

The following are statements that will apply in general to all endeavors of the Town Park Commission. The Town of Middleton will consider the CORP goals and objectives as a template for the future park development and maintenance only within the financial abilities of the Town’s resources. Each of the five goals are followed by several objectives that state the policies and philosophies that will be used to implement the goals:

 

Develop and Maintain Existing Parks:

  • Evaluate current lands and facilities and assess the physical and economic feasibility of development, including court/field additions, playgrounds, prairies, etc.
  • Perform safety and maintenance inspections, drawing on Town staff expertise
  • Ensure that Town parks and facilities comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to the extent physically and economically feasible
  • Provide information to the public on the existing facilities
  • Evaluate reservations, park usage, park rules annually 

 

Develop and Maintain Existing Trails:

  • Enhance the existing neighborhood trail systems and their interconnections
  • Establish a connection to regional trail systems (Dane County, City of Madison, City of Middleton, Ice Age Trail, etc.)
  • Determine and evaluate trail functionality, usage and surfaces as trails are developed
  • Ensure that trails comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) when/if physically and economically feasible
  • Provide information to the public on the existing trail system
  • Evaluate trails usage and trail rules annually

 

When Feasible, Retain New Land for Development of Parks/Trails:

  • When feasible, acquire lands to protect scenic and environmentally sensitive resources and native natural areas
  • Identify and acquire lands for green space when feasible, particularly lands that will create natural municipal boundaries and buffers
  • When feasible, acquire additional land and evaluate land dedications to determine active and passive recreational use and conservation based on current demand, demands created by increased future population, and the conservation value of the land

  • Ensure protection of wildlife and plant life, watershed areas, aquifer recharge areas, and specifically the historical vegetation of the area including native oak savanna and prairie areas

 

Manage Capital and Maintenance Costs for Activities and Development:

  • Ensure aesthetics and safety consistent with available resources
  • Consider and plan for the long-term expense of maintenance of land and equipment when developing parks, trails and open space
  • Conduct financial analyses as to the type of improvement 

 

Identify and Support Recreational and Community Activities:

  • Identify recreation program needs of Town residents through periodic surveys and other mechanisms
  • Determine economic feasibility of recreation programs
  • Acquire or improve facilities for recreation programs
  • Implement and monitor local recreation and education programs
  • Evaluate program effectiveness
  • Develop programs to encourage volunteer groups to assist in maintaining parks, trails and conservancies