Featured Park – McKee Farms Park & Splash Pad

Madison and its surrounding communities are known for their amazing park systems, so we thought why not highlight a different park in some of our Blog Posts.  Today Roost will be featuring McKee Farms Park & Splash Pad located at 2930 Chapel Valley Rd in Fitchburg. This park has it all!

My biggest struggle with some of the parks that I’ve been to recently is that the play equipment is too old and too sophisticated for my little one (23/mo).  McKee farms park has three designated play areas so no matter what your child’s age/abilities, there is equipment that your little one can enjoy.

I also am a fan of the large multi-use shelter with restrooms and picnic tables. This is great for lunch, getting out of the sun for a few minutes and bathroom breaks. If you or your kids enjoy playing baseball, soccer, tennis, and/or sand volleyball, they have courts/fields for these activities as well.

What I love most about McKee Farms Park is the splash pad. The splash pad has three zones: toddler (soft mists and gentle streams), kids (high-energy, group play water activities), and family (water tunnels, dumping buckets, etc). The splash pad also has a restroom room attached. We hope you all are able to enjoy some of the fabulous parks that makes Wisconsin so special.

Featured Park – Brooklyn Wildlife Preserve

Admittedly, this is not a traditional featured park.  Nevertheless, in honor of recent clients who are moving to Brooklyn, WI next month (located between Oregon and Belleville), I wanted to share with you all the hidden gem that is Brooklyn Wildlife Preserve.  Hunters and nature enthusiasts alike will relish the 3,531 acres of DNR land (available to the public for hunting) encompassed in the Brooklyn Wildlife Preserve.  What sets this recreation area apart from so many others around the state is Story Creek, a class 2 trout stream, that runs north and south through the preserve.  For all you experienced hikers, you are sure to enjoy the 6.8 miles (3.5 hours) of the Ice Age Trail (Brooklyn Wildlife Segment), with prairie, mixed forest, and glacial moraines.  The Brooklyn Segment links directly with the Ice Age Trail (Montrose Segment), known for its hardwood forests, prairie, farm fields, and bluff overlooks.  Cyclists are able to bike 7 miles of this 15-mile journey (out and back).  You can even bring your dog or camp in designated camping areas. This preserve is a must to check out on a nice summer day (summer sounds nice right about now)!

Madison’s Best Secret Art Show- NEXT WEEK

While the Madison quilt expo (held annually at the Alliant Energy Center) is clearly not a secret, you might be surprised to find such a wide array of captivating art in these quilts! Like myself, you definitely DO NOT need to be a quilt enthusiast to enjoy the show- with hundreds of quilts on display, I’m certain that nearly anyone can find plenty of awe-inspiring pieces.

I know what you’re thinking.. A) Never take suggestions from Jessica regarding things to do, and B) Isn’t the quilt expo for old ladies?? Well I’ll admit, I wasn’t exactly dying to go, but my grandma was riding the bus down to Madison with her quilting friends, and she really wanted me to join, so I dutifully obliged. Click through these gorgeous quilt contest photos here for photos of more quilts.)

Anyway, grams and I met at the expo on Thursday morning, and I was shocked to see what kind of turnout the quilt show garnered. The place was packed! As we approached the enclosed area with all of the “show quilts”, grandma asked if I had my camera. I’m thinking to myself, “ooookkkaaayyy grandma… I think I’m just fine with my two eyes. It’s quilts.”

Little did I know, quilts can be pretty dang amazing. I quickly found myself snapping more pics of the quilts than grandma! These quilts are true works of art, and cover a wide range in terms of style- you’ll find everything from traditional to bohemian, urban and mixed media. The level of detail and creativity put into each piece is truly astounding, I’ve got to think that many of these quilts have taken years to complete.

We probably spent an hour and a half admiring the quilts before lunch, and sadly, I had to get back to work, so there was even more that I did not get to see. Some of the quilters are local, but most are from across the country. It was a surprisingly neat show that I’ll definitely check out again, and if you like art, check it out for yourself, and let me know what you thought!

The next quilt show is September 6-8, 2018 at The Alliant Energy Center.