Spring Festival

Spring Magic Came to Life at Anderson Farm County Park Festival, May 4

Thank You!

On behalf of the organizers, I want to extend heartfelt thanks to all who made the May 4^th Spring Festival at Anderson Farm County Park such a magical success. With sunshine and spring breezes on our side, families enjoyed a perfect afternoon of fairy door hikes, kite flying, crafts, and music. Close to 200 people attended the event.

I’m especially grateful to Anderson Park Friends, Inc., and the Oregon-Brooklyn Optimists Club for hosting the event and providing dedicated volunteers. We also thank the Oregon Wellness Coalition and the Oregon Public Library for their generous support. Special thanks to Desere Mayo for her delightful face painting, Randy Plunkett (and Randy #2) for live music, and 14 South Artists and other local artists for donating charming fairy houses.

The Wisconsin Kiters provided a diversity of kites and fun art “wind-related” objects. Their participation for the second year is appreciated.

Boryana Hauge was a hit for string/bead braiding with her rainbow of colors.

The Oregon Nature Alliance brought hands-on learning, and local businesses — Inkworks of Stoughton, Culver’s, Wisco Industries, Kwik Trip, JL Richards (food for volunteers) and Middleton Crossing — provided crucial support, including free bottled water and giveaways.

Thanks to all the volunteers and families who helped bring the joy—and magic—of spring to life for everyone who attended.

Sincerely, Roe Parker, President, Anderson Park Friends

Learn more about Anderson Farm County Park at andersonparkfriends.org or visit Dane County Parks for general park information.

Honoring the Life and Legacy of Jeff Olson

With heavy hearts, we share the passing of Jeff “Ole” Olson, a beloved member of the Oregon-Brooklyn community, who passed away on Monday, March 17, 2025, at the age of 63.

Jeff’s unwavering dedication to our community left an enduring mark. Through his business, Arbor Systems, and his personal passion for giving back, he played an instrumental role in the development of Anderson Farm County Park. As a certified arborist and long-time business partner to Chris Heise, Jeff built a successful tree service company, often providing non-profit discounts and extending a helping hand wherever needed.

The APF Board is accepting donations for a memorial in Jeff's name to be installed at Anderson Farm County Park. 

Make a Lasting Tribute

To honor Jeff’s memory, Anderson Park Friends, Inc. (APF) will work with the Olson family and the Foundation for Dane County Parks to create a meaningful memorial at Anderson Farm County Park. Jeff was a frequent partner with the Dane County Parks Department. Your donation will help bring this tribute to life. Any additional funds will support tree-related projects at the park, continuing Jeff’s legacy of care for our natural spaces.

To contribute online, please use the secure donation form on our page dedicated to the Jeff Olson Memorial. Go to: https://bit.ly/4c5U2aD or use the navigation bar. Every gift, large or small, makes a difference. Checks can be sent to APF at this address:

Barbara Hill, APF Treasurer
876 Jean Circle
Oregon, WI 53575

Donations will be used for a memorial. APF will work with the Foundation for Dane County Parks to plan and install the memorial. Any funds above the cost of the memorial, will be applied to tree projects in 2025.

Note: Tentative plans are underway for a Jeff Olson Memorial Day at Anderson Farm County Park on Saturday, October 4, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Photo Credit: Chris Heise, Arbor Systems, Arbor Day, 2023

Upcoming...

Below is a summary of work, educational and recreational events scheduled for the second quarter of 2025. Check our calendar page for more information and to R.S.V.P. for a specific event.

Additional Events

1. General Workdays: 2^nd Saturday of each month, 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. (914 Union Road, Oregon, WI 53575, some locations may be different)
2. Food Pantry Workdays (Seasonal-April through November): Each Tuesday,, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., (805 Union Road, Oregon, WI 53575)
3. Forest, Prairie, Ames Bluebird Trail, Native Gardens Teams: Ad hoc schedule, (Seasonal-April through November), Each Monday, starting May 19th, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Oregon Area Volunteers Are Special!

• Oregon Food Pantry Garden: Despite challenges, we’ve consistently delivered fresh produce to the pantry, meeting local food needs sustainably.
• Sholts Woods Restoration: Following our 2024 land management plan, we removed invasive species and thinned specific tree areas to enhance the oak woodlot. Over 40 trees have been replanted since the project started, paving the way for a healthier forest ecosystem.
• Native Flower Gardens: With our dedicated volunteers, we maintained 15 mini-gardens and collaborated with Girl Scout Troop 7720 to install a new monarch butterfly garden, supporting pollinators and native flora.
• Prairie Maintenance: Our highly acclaimed  prairies (over 40 acres) flourished, with invasive species like thistle and wild parsnip effectively managed to preserve the ecosystem’s integrity.
• Youth Engagement: We continued our tradition of sponsoring K-12 educational events, including Maple Syrup Day for Brooklyn 2nd graders and a prairie seed collection event with Oregon High School’s National Honor Society students.
• Wildlife Habitats: Our efforts to provide essential wildlife habitats continued with maintained bluebird, kestrel, and bat houses throughout the park.
• Community Events: Our annual bonfire (November 2nd) was a huge success. We parked over 240 parks and more than 810 people attended.
• Join Us in 2025.

We’re excited to take these achievements even further in the coming year, but we can’t do it without your support. Letters have been mailed to current members, and renewing or joining us is simple: visit https://www.andersonparkfriends.org/joinus to secure your 2025 membership.

Stay connected with us on our website and Facebook page for updates on volunteer opportunities, upcoming events, and the latest news. Together, let’s make 2025 our most impactful year yet!