City Of Monona Seeks Urban Green Space Grant For Land Acquisition

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced that the City of Monona has applied for a 50% matching grant from the Urban Green Space subprogram of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program to assist with the purchase of .75-acres of land in the City of Monona in Dane County. The City will provide the matching funds to the grant award.  

The City of Monona will acquire approximately .75 acres along Lake Monona to create a public park. In addition, the City is working on plans to eventually develop the site for outdoor recreation and public access on Lake Monona. Recreational activities will include fishing, hiking, and cross-country skiing, picnicking and scenic enjoyment.

The DNR has examined the property’s locational factors and is determining that the prohibition of hunting and trapping is necessary to protect public safety because of the parcel’s proximity to roadways and residential dwellings.

The Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund was created in 1989 to preserve important natural resources, protect water quality and fisheries and expand opportunities for outdoor recreation for all Wisconsinites to enjoy.

On Stewardship-purchased land, nature-based outdoor activities (hunting, trapping, fishing, hiking or cross-country skiing) cannot be prohibited unless the DNR has determined that prohibiting one or more of those activities is justified to protect public safety.

The DNR’s initial assessment of the allowed Nature Based Outdoor Activities is available on the DNR’s Stewardship Public Notice webpage. To request a hard copy email: Cheryl.Housley@wisconsin.gov. 

The public is encouraged to submit written comments on the proposed acquisition by Dec. 2, 2021 to:

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Fitchburg Service Center
C/O Cheryl Housley, DNR Regional Project Manager

3911 Fish Hatchery Road, Fitchburg, WI 53711
Email: Cheryl.Housley@wisconsin.gov.

In accordance with s. NR 52.04 (2) (b), Wis. Adm. Code, objections about the hunting activities on this property must show the proposed prohibition to be inconsistent with s. 23.0916 (2) (b), Stats., and s. NR 52.05, Wis. Adm. Code.

For more information on the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, visit the DNR website. To receive updates on Stewardship Grant projects, please subscribe on the DNR website here.