2/18/2009 10:52:00 AM Anderson farm to become county park
The Lyman Anderson family farm could someday hold a baseball diamond, walking paths and a future bike path, as Dane County officials unveiled far-reaching plans Monday to buy the town of Oregon farm and turn it into a public park.
Anderson, the well-known local politician and farmer, died in 2005, leaving behind roughly 400 acres of property that includes some woodlands and rolling hills. The land near Union Road and County Hwy. A has been in the Anderson family for about 140 years, a news release from Dane County said.
On Monday, County Executive Kathleen Falk said the county is working with Anderson's widow, Patricia, and their children, Ken, Jerry and Lynette, to purchase the land in phases over the next several years. The first phase of approximately 127 acres could cost about $1.5 million, the release said.
The plan will be introduced to the Dane County Board of Supervisors Thursday.
In a statement Monday, Patricia Anderson pledged to start an endowment to benefit the property.
"Our goal in this project has been mostly to honor Lyman's memory by making sure no houses are built in these fields," she said. "I also want my children ... my grandchildren, my friends and many others to be able to come here to learn and walk and know the goodness of fresh air and open space."
The property runs along a rail line identified for future use as a regional bicycle and pedestrian trail. Dane County hopes to link the property to other public lands via the trail.
A quarry operated by Payne & Dolan Inc. on the eastern edge of the property is not part of the sale but could be incorporated into the park someday when the quarry closes, the news release said.
Falk made the announcement outside the Anderson home.
Anderson served in town, county and state government for 43 years, including 28 years on the Dane County Board of Supervisors.
