Page 29 - Park and Open Space Plan

FOX BEND PARK

Waukesha County Park System

Location:
Town of Vernon, Sections 22, 27
Address:
CTH L (Forest Home Avenue)
Size:
225 acres

Acquisition History:
• 1992 Purchase from Alice & Robert
Mueller – 154 acres
• 1995 Links Acres – 68.5 acres
• 2004 Purchase from Dean Hintz – 2.5
acres
Proposed Acquisition:
• Two (2) parcels totaling 173 acres –
small parcel to the North along the Fox
River creating a connection to the Fox
River Greenway and a larger parcel of Site Characteristics: (Undeveloped)
woodlands and uplands to the The proposed Fox Bend Park is located along the main
Southwest creating a connection to branch of the Fox River in the Town of Vernon. The park is
Smith Park
Amenities: in an agricultural area and some of the property is tillable
• None cropland. The Fox River runs across the Northern portion
Activities: of this park of varied terrain, which is in a conservancy
• Ag Land Rental wetland. Fox Bend Park is also part of the Fox River
• Hunting Greenway Corridor.
• Hiking
Natural Management Overview:
The quality of the existing forested area in the northern
half of the park is very good, with many areas similar to
neighboring Martin’s Woods, owned by the Waukesha
Land Conservancy. Many of the open areas and wetlands
are disturbed, some has been farmed. The southern block
is a mix of active agriculture, fresh meadow and disturbed
woods.

The Core Zone for Fox Bend Park is 317 acres, mostly forest
with some prairie old-field. Invasive species that challenge
the management of the Core zone include Garlic mustard,
Common buckthorn, Honeysuckle, and Reed canary grass.
The goal for management is to maintain the forest’s
ecological quality and a closed canopy if possible; and to
allow succession of the forest, controlling invasive species
that impede.

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