Phase 1 Completed In 2023

I want to thank everyone who donated to Anderson Park Friends’ (APF) New Horizon Project- Phase 1. We are thrilled to have your support!

Through your donation, we will be able to increase fresh produce for 3 food pantries and to expand our conservation work at Anderson Farm County Park.

Overall, we had 113 donations. Donations were matched “dollar for dollar” by an anonymous donor. The result was $20,000 for APF. We now have a firm foundation to plan 2024-2025 activities.

Phase 2 (2024-2026) started on December 1, 2023 and will continue into 2025.

We are starting a fund raising effort for future projects at Anderson Farm County Park.

Our Board is beginning a process to discuss with the Dane County Parks Department how we can create more infrastructure at the park. In addition, we would like to start additional conservation projects.

Your support will help sustain our organization (and park) for many years to come. Donations support our organization’s mission and ensures the future of APF. It makes all the difference!

Our 2023 accomplishments report to the Dane County Parks Department is available.

Our vision includes moving towards the following projects"

1. Expansion of the Anderson Farm Center with new infrastructure and increasing the acrage from 12 to 36 acres. New infrastructure could possibly include a multi-purpose shed, expansion of the irrigation system, and other agricultural equipment. This winter APF will work with the Dane County Parks Department to develop a feasibility plan and budget to steer the completion of the project. New infrastructure could be added in late 2024 or early 2025. More specific details will be available in about 4-6 months. For more detailed information, click here for the Strategic Concept Paper: 2021-2025.
2. Restoration of the 45-acre west woods (Note: Some work has already started in mid-November 2023).
3. Creation of more acres of prairie (Discussions are underway for 10 new acres in 2024).
4. Development of a park shelter and playgound equipment.
5. Creation of more monarch Gardens.
6. Maintenance of the APF community orchard (30 apple, peach, and plum trees).
7. Continuation of Annual Candleligh Walk and Bonfire (Free family event)
8. Creation of a sledding hill (For kids and second childhoods).
9. And More!! 

Our newsletters, web site and Facebook page will provide updated information about our 2024-2026 plans and activities.

We welcome your comments and/or suggestions on how we can improve the park and provide more benefits to the community.

Your interest and support are appreciated.

Intent

The project’s intent is to use new infrastructure and equipment so volunteers can leverage their work in the food pantry/community gardens and other components of the park’s land management plan-forests, prairies, pollinator gardens, savannahs, and wildlife habitat.

Costs associated with food pantries and gardens are rising. Inlfiaction impacts us as well as the general community. The Badger Prairie Needs Network-Verona (served by the park’s food pantry garden) reports serving over 10,000 people during the pandemic. They and other volunteer organizations are dealing with inflated costs, supply chain problems while the cost and demand for food is increasing.

Local Business Support

Local businesses have already stepped forward to assist Anderson Park Friends, Inc. by purchasing business memberships. This last year Arbor Systems, AlphaGraphics, Firefly Coffeehouse, New Earth Biochar, and Good Oak Ecological Services have joined the organization and are also providing donated products and services. 

Remember Anderson Park Friends is an all-volunteer organization and gifts go entirely to the mission and vision of the organization. In 2023, APF logged over 3,000 hours of volunteer time and effort.

Photo note: The above photo is a suggestion of a possibility and one dependent on funding and Dane County Parks approval.

Roe Parker, President
Anderson Park Friends, Inc.

If you like what we do, chip in a little to make a big difference. Use the form below.