The Foundation for Dane County Parks is partnering with the Madison Community Foundation (MCF) and the Dane County Parks department to plant 281 trees in our Dane County Parks in 2021.

In 2020, due to the COVID-19 restrictions, MCF chose to recognize their Legacy Society (281 people who have made a commitment to the future of our community with a planned gift from their estate) in a new way. Instead of a gathering in September, MCF is collaborating with us and the parks department to plant a “Legacy Forest” of 281 trees across our beloved parks as a gift to future generations -- one tree for each Legacy Society member. Learn more about the program at madisongives.org/giving/legacy-society.

44 oak trees were planted by Operation Fresh Start (OFS), Madison College, and girl scouts on Earth Day (April 22, 2021) and Youth Services Day (April 24, 2021). Most of the remaining 281 Legacy Trees will be planted in McCarthy, Token Creek, Lunney Lake Farm, Goodland, Mendota and CamRock County Parks in the fall of 2021. These parks have suffered extensive loss of Ash trees due to Emerald Ash Borer infestations and will greatly benefit from a variety of newly planted trees.

On Friday, September 17, Madison Community Foundation staff, Foundation for Dane County Parks board members and Dane County Parks staff planted 35 trees in Lunney Lake Farm Park.

The Foundation and Dane County Parks thanks MCF and their Legacy Society for inspiring this investment in our wonderful parks through a grant of $10,000 to purchase the trees and coordinate planting. Together we recognize that the true strength of our community is “to plant trees under whose shade we do not expect to sit."