Tuesday, October 5, 2010

10th Annual City of Milton Parks & Rec native wild flower/grass seed pick. We will meet at 9am this Sat, the 9th, out to Crossridge Park

10th Annual City of Milton Parks & Rec native wild flower/grass seed pick. We will meet at 9am this Sat, the 9th, out to Crossridge Park. After picking at Crossridge, we will collect seeds from various areas around town as a group. A family friendly event designed to beautify the green spaces in Milton, provide restored habitat for native wildlife, and reduce or eliminate mowing/maintenance costs otherwise passed on to the taxpayers. All ages welcome! Great family event! Bring friends, family, and anyone else you can convince to try something new. We will meet at 9am this Sat, the 9th, out to Crossridge Park. After picking at Crossridge, we will collect seeds from various areas around town as a group. We will not be crushing this year. We want to use our time collecting as much seed possible.
Tips on what to wear (note: date for 2010 is Oct. 9th)
http://www.ci.milton.wi.us/Tourism/MiltonParks/TailsnTrailsDogPark/SeedCollection.aspx

More info at
www.miltonmatters.blogspot.com

****scroll down to prior posts for pictures from the past few years!

Seed is going to be used to surround the new pond on the Hwy 59 entry on the east side of Milton. It will also line the highway if we can collect enough. We need lots of people, and this truly benefits all people of Milton and then some. We have managed to restore 7 acres and have over $1000 worth of seed in storage ready to plant. This may sound like a lot of seed, but it really isn't. The seed costs hundreds of dollars per pound, but goes a long way. The finished product is a crushed seed that is very small and light. Scout groups, 4-H members, businesses, organizations, or anyone else that wants to join in is welcome!

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

FREE MOVIE this Friday! TOY STORY 2



***THANK YOU to Milton's very own
Check out his website and see the custom backyard outdoor movie screens he has to offer.
Wether it is a backyard Monday Night Football game with your buddies or a Wii Bowling competition with your children....a screen like this in your backyard would be a hit!


Wednesday, February 10, 2010

CANCELLED ***FEB 27, 2010*** hands on class.

The 3rd annual plant propagation class scheduled for the 27th has been CANCELLED due to unforeseen circumstances.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Seed drying so they do not compost



I have spread the seed from Saturday's pick on the floor of my garage to dry out. This will prevent the seed from composting in the bag prior to crushing/spreading by the MECCA's students. We had a light turnout, but still managed to collect two large bags full of seed. That gives us 6 large bags that will reduce to about 4 acres. We have an area of 6-7 acres to do, so we will see if we will plan another pick this weekend. Depending on the weather, I may just go out and collect some more out at Crossridge next week. Miss the seed pick and feel like picking seed still? Shoot us an e-mail.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Seed Pick 2009

Thank you Dave Bendlin


Dave Bendlin, Environmental Science and Biology Teacher for the Milton School District, has been a key to the success of many conservation projects around the county. Many of those projects are right her in the Milton area. Along with the guidance he has provided the Crossridge & Dog Park Committee, he also has established a prairie in the Tower Hill subdivision as well as the Outdoor Learning Lab Prairie behind the Milton High School.
Shown here is Mr. Bendlin showing volunteers what they should be looking for as well as what to avoid. Seeds collected from this pick will be used in a new prairie Mr. Bendlin is establishing as well as our new project, the Highway 59 entrance to the city on the west side of Milton.
Thank you Dave Bendlin for the 8+ years of sharing your knowledge and time with our group.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

IT'S A GO! DRESS WARM! SEE YOU AT ROTARY GARDENS 9AM!

WE WILL BE AT ROTARY GARDENS IN JANESVILLE TILL ABOUT 10:30A. WE WILL THEN GO TO EITHER CROSSRIDGE PARK IN MILTON AND/OR THE HIGH SCHOOL PRAIRIE OFF MUNICIPAL DR.



SEE YOU THERE! DRESS WARM!

DON'T FORGET GLOVES (LEATHER ARE BEST!)

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10TH, 9am ROTARY GARDENS JANESVILLE

COME PICK SEEDS WITH US! YOU CAN START YOUR OWN PRAIRIE PLANTINGS, OR HELP US COLLECT SEEDS FOR PLANTING 6-7 ACRES IN THE NEW HIGHWAY 59 CONSTRUCTION AREA. WE ARE GOING TO HOLD OFF ANY MORE PLANTINGS IN THE 2 PARKS TILL CONSTRUCTION IS DONE (YMCA IN CROSSRIDGE AND ALLIANT/ATC IN THE DOG PARK)

EXTENDING THE PLANTINGS OUT ON HWY 59 IS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE STATE OF WISCONSIN DOT AND CITY OF MILTON DPW....THAT TRANSLATES INTO A TREMENDOUS SAVINGS IN MOWING AND MAINTENANCE. SO, COME HELP US PICK SEEDS NOW SO THAT YOU CAN SAVE MONEY (TAXES) DOWN THE ROAD.

NEED DIRECTIONS/MAP TO ROTARY GARDENS? CLICK HERE

Plan to join us on October 10th to help collect seeds. This year, we would also like to invite you to join us if you wish to start your own prairie planting.
This is a FREE event.
Saturday October 10th, 2009 at 9am

Seed Collection Instructions:
There will be give in a brief 10-15min presentation prior to seed collection that morning. Also, as you are picking seeds we will try to answer questions.


Seed Collection Suggestions:
Seed collection is fun and easy and for people of all ages! Bring your kids, have your kids bring a friend(s), or organize a small group (Scouts, Brownies, church group) to participate. Small Children are more than welcome, but should be accompanied by an adult. Seed collection is most often done by hand (snapping off seed head) however, some people find scissors/snips helpful. Participants are asked to bring a paper bag, however if one is not available, we will have extras.


Other Suggestions (based on prior years experience):
Wear cloths that are appropriate for walking in tall grasses. Due to both the time of year and time of day it may be a bit chilly to start. It could also be a bit damp because this time of year the grass still has dew on it. Dressing in layers often works well so that you can take off layers as it warms up. Also, be sure to wear shoes that you don't mind getting wet or muddy in the event that those are the conditions.
Most people find garden, or leather (best) gloves a must have. They will keep you a bit warmer and protect your hands from the plants. We will have a few extra pairs in the event you forget, or unable to bring your own.
In the event it is sunny you may want to consider bringing sunscreen.
If you are allergic to plants, we suggest you refrain from seed crushing or spreading. If you are allergic to any kind of insect, bring the appropriate spray or medicine just to be safe!
Bring water to prevent dehydration.
Bring a camera if you want to take pictures!

These events are a great way to get involved in the community. These parks are here to use regardless of where you live, your income, or age. We have tried to create these parks with volunteers and donations. Help us in our efforts to create a pair of parks, and other natural areas in the greater Milton community that cater to a broad range of people...and now dogs too! Plan to join us on October 10th and/or October 17th to build on what we have already started.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

SEED PICK 2009 (9TH ANNUAL) IN OCTOBER STAY TUNED!

WANT TO JOIN US THIS YEAR?
SHOOT ME AN E-MAIL OR WATCH FOR THE DATE.
IT SHOULD BE SOMETIME IN OCTOBER.

***WE WILL BE USING SEED WE COLLECTED LAST YEAR TO SPREAD ON A NEWLY CREATED AREA FORMED BY THE HIGHWAY 59 RECONSTRUCTION. WE WILL WORK WITH THE STATE OF WISCONSIN DOT AND CITY OF MILTON DPW TO HELP SAVE THE TAX PAYERS MONEY ASSOCIATED WITH SEEDING AND MOWING A LARGE HILLY AREA. WANT TO SEE MORE AREAS LIKE THIS? COME JOIN US IN OUR SEED COLLECTION EFFORTS! MORE INFO TO COME...

Monday, August 17, 2009

MEETING TONIGHT AT 6:30

MEETING TONIGHT AT 6:30 BASEMENT OF MILTON CITY HALL (LIBRARY)
THIS IS AN OPEN MEETING AND THE PUBLIC IS ALWAYS WELCOME.

Friday, August 7, 2009

Prairie seed pick & crush 2007 (7th year)


IF YOU CAN NOT SEE THIS SLIDESHOW OF PICTURES, JUST GO HERE TO SEE THEM. ENJOY!


IF YOU CAN NOT SEE THIS SLIDESHOW OF PICTURES, JUST GO HERE TO SEE THEM. ENJOY!

Thursday, August 6, 2009

You know...you have driven past it a million times!

MORE FLOWERS IN BLOOM





The beginnings of Milton's 1st passive recreation park


Wildflowers are in bloom!

*****Now is a great time to go out to Crossridge Park (other side of Milton from Dog Park) located off east of Parkview Dr., north of Townline Rd., and west of Hwy26 for a map click here and see the native wild flowers in bloom. The members of this parks committee have worked hard to restore the native grasses and flowers in and around the paved walking trails. Stay tuned for the date of the seed pick this fall. Some will be used to establish areas in/near the dog park.

In case you don't have the chance, here is what you are missing:

NEWS ON YMCA PLANS....MORE TO COME!

AUG 7 2008
JANESVILLE GAZETTE STORYCity, YMCA take step to develop park

AUGUST 6 2008
A land deal with the City of Milton will allow the YMCA of Northern Rock County to move forward with plans to build in that community. YMCA Director Tom Den Boer says a needs assessment of Milton can now be conducted. The "Y" has agreed to pay $87,500 for five acres of land on Milton's southeast side. Depending on funding, Den Boer says a facility could be running in two to three years.--Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2008 "Planning for Milton YMCA moves forward", http://gazettextra.com/news

MAY 2008
JANESVILLE GAZETTE STORY Milton YMCA take first steps toward formal park

MARCH 2009
JANESVILLE GAZETTE STORY Milton School District, YMCA looking to collaborate on pool

MAY 2009
JANESVILLE GAZETTE STORY Public input sought on YMCA plan

NOTE: SOME ITEMS MAY BE MOVED, ELIMINATED, OR BE ADDED. THIS IS A CONCEPT ONLY.
--http://gazettextra.com/photos/2008/aug/07/8795/
NOTE: SOME ITEMS MAY BE MOVED, ELIMINATED, OR BE ADDED. THIS IS A CONCEPT ONLY.

YMCA Presents Plans for Cooperative Development of Crossridge Park

Crossridge Park is an approximately 40-acre park located on the south side of Milton between Parkview Drive and Hwy. 26. The park has been planned for development by the City since the early 1990s, however lack of funding has left most of the park undeveloped. A small path, playground and prairie currently exist on a portion of the park, while most of the land is leased to a local farmer for crops.

Early in 2007 the City and YMCA began discussions regarding cooperative efforts to develop the park. The latest concept plans, which were unveiled on November 20, 2007 to the City's Ad-Hoc Crossridge Park Committee, present an exciting opportunity to locate a new full-service YMCA facility in Milton and complete the construction of the park.

The latest plan includes a new YMCA facility, which would conceptually involve a phased buildout of the facility to eventually include an indoor pool and other typical YMCA amenities. Also included are outdoor facilities for various sporting activities, along with an "extreme" playground. Recreation trails surround the entire site and provide for more than 1.5 miles of paved trail. Click HERE to view the concept plan (PDF format).

Prior to this latest plan, the park concept included about 15 acres dedicated for a dog park. For the most part, the YMCA facilities replace what was previously planned for a dog park. Dog-owners in Milton should be glad to hear that the Crossridge Park Committee will be considering different locations in the City for a dog park, and will not abandon the dog park plans. In the next few months, the Committee will review alternative dog park sites.

Late in 2007 the Common Council authorized City staff to begin negotiations with the YMCA on cooperative agreements for development of Crossridge Park. Then, in May of 2008, the Council approved terms of a land-sale offer which has now been submitted to the YMCA. The City is hopeful that within the next couple of months the land sale will be completed and the YMCA will proced with development plans. Any questions may be directed to City Administrator Todd Schmidt at (608)868-6900 (ext. 4) or YMCA Executive Director Tom DenBoer at (608)754-6654. http://www.ci.milton.wi.us/news_detail.aspx?news_id=47

Wednesday, August 5, 2009