Parks and Recreation

Parks in Lafayette County

While driving through the county, stop for a bit and enjoy a leisurely hike or a picnic at one of our parks. Belmont State Park is located on County Hwy. G just northwest of Belmont. Belle Mont, French for “beautiful mountain”, is clearly an appropriate name. The park includes picnic areas, hiking trails and playgrounds. In territorial days, the mound served as a landmark to guide travelers. One of the reasons Governor Dodge placed the First Capitol at Belmont was because it was easy to find in the uncharted Wisconsin Territorial wilderness.

Yellowstone Lake State Park, located between Blanchardville and Argyle, is open year round. The park is host to many different species of wildlife, including whitetail deer, wild turkey, groundhog, fox, grey squirrel and coontail rabbit. There have been over 170 species of birds observed in and around the park. Bald eagles, osprey, common loon and the double-crested cormorant visit the lake in the spring and fall during migration. Waterfowl of all kinds, including wood ducks, mallards and Canadian geese use the lake as a rest stop during their migration. Sandhill cranes have been observed in the park with their young. The great blue heron is a common resident seen wading in the shallows hunting for fish or frogs. And bats! Yellowstone Lake is the summer home to more than 4,000 little brown bats. Nature programs run throughout the summer months. Evening programs have many different topics, from bat houses, stars in the night sky, to prairie ecosystems and more.

Most communities in Lafayette County boast gorgeous parks that are free for public use. From grassy expanses, to volleyball courts, swimming pools, memorials, basketball courts and more; Lafayette County has a plethora of places for a family day out. 

City of Darlington

Black Bridge Park & Doug Lindstrom Field

Black Bridge Park is located at the Northwest end of Darlington along State Hwy 23.  Amenities: two lighted sand volleyball courts; open green space for seasonal field games of flag football and soccer; handicapped fishing pier; boat ramp; small shelter; bridge over dry creek bed; picnic tables, grills, parking and portable restroom.

Walking Trail

The paved lighted walking trail follows the Pecatonica River from the Black Bridge Park to Riverside Park.  The path is lighted for your evening walk.  While on your walk you may encounter ball games in action at Riverside Park, blue birds nesting in their boxes, campers at Pecatonica River Trails Park, ATV riders on the Cheese Country ATV Trail, flag football, soccer or volleyball games at the Black Bridge Park.  You can enjoy the sounds of the Pecatonica River as it glides over the rapids or enjoy the peace and quiet as you take a rest on one of the many benches along the trail.  The beautiful flower gardens along the trail are enjoyed by many on their walk.  We ask that you follow a few simple rules so everyone can enjoy the walking path: no motorized vehicles allowed on the walking path including mini bikes, ATV's or snowmobiles.   Horses are also not allowed on the walking path.

Pecatonica River Trails Park

Pecatonica River Trails Park is located on the West side of downtown Darlington along the Pecatonica River.  Amenities: campgrounds; restroom / shower facility; RV dump station; day use ATV Trail parking; open green space; canoe launch; handicapped fishing pier and playground equipment.  For questions related to camping, please call
(608) 482-2511.

Riverside Park

Riverside Park is located on the East side of downtown along the Pecatonica River behind the Piggly Wiggly Supermarket.  Amenities: lighted softball / baseball diamond; lighted youth baseball / softball diamond "SIEG FIELD" batting cage; lighted basketball court; shelter pavilion; restrooms; playground equipment; canoe launch; picnic tables and grills.

Festival Grounds Park

Festival Grounds Park is located at the South end of Main Street adjacent to the Main Street Bridge.  Amenities: octagon shelter; benches and open green space.  This small park hosts many events as the weekly farmers market, annual Canoe Festival, Cinco de Mayo Festival,  seasonal displays of Halloween, fall and Christmas seasons.  With the parks centrally location, its a great gathering area for the High School homecoming parade, Shamrock parade, Halloween parade and the annual Christmas parade and tree lighting.

Veterans Memorial Park

Veterans Memorial Park is located at the upper end of Main Street next to the Johnson Public Library, Lafayette County Historical Society, Lafayette County Courthouse and the Darlington Municipal Building.  This park has lots of shaded area with benches along the sidewalks.  Decorative lights have been added along the sidewalks in Veterans Memorial Park making it very inviting for an evening walk.  A generous donor made these lights possible. The shade provides a great place to set up your lawn chair and enjoy the annual Canoe Festival Parade, Shamrock Parade, Veterans Memorial Day Parade, High School Homecoming Parade and the Christmas Holiday Parade.  The Canoe Festival Arts and Crafts sale, Library programs and Darlington Day Care enjoy the park for their activities.

Peterson Park

Peterson Park is located on the West side of downtown along West River Road.  Amenities: picnic tables and trash cans.  This small park provides access to excellent fishing above the rapids or along the banks of the Pecatonica River

Swimming Pool Park

The pool park is located at the Northern end of Darlington off of County Road F.  Amenities: Outdoor Municipal Swimming Pool; lighted basketball / tennis court; frisbee golf; two shelter pavilions equipped with picnic tables and grills; restroom; playground equipment and parking.  A new restroom built at the upper shelter.  The sloping terrain provides sledding and cross country skiing during the winter months.

City of Shullsburg

Badger Park

Beautiful Badger Park was constructed during the 1930’s. It was financed primarily with funds from the W.P.A (Works Progress Administration) and was sponsored by Mayor Dr. H.W. Hoesly whose dream was to build a park. During this time the shelter houses, pool, bathhouse, baseball field, football field, tennis courts and picnic areas were constructed.

Our park is enjoyed by the community every day whether it be a picnic, ballgame, or just families enjoying the playground. We invite you to visit.

Argyle

American Legion Community Park

Located at the north side of the village, adjacent to the school, the American Legion Community Park was created in the late 1940's through the efforts of the American Legion. The park is now operated by the village. Within the park is a baseball field, a softball and youth ball field, lighted tennis courts, lighted basketball courts, sand pit volleyball courts, two shelter houses, and playground equipment.

Argyle Boat Launch

The village operates a small park and boat landing on the East Branch of the Pecatonica River off Highway 81 just west of the bridge (upstream from the dam). This launch affords many opportunities for fishing and canoeing. Enjoy your lunch at the shelter alongside the river. A handicapped accessible fishing dock is also located in this area, across the road, just below the dam. Finally, a downstream boat launch is located on the east side of the river, south of the power plant.

Belmont

Bond Park

Bond Park is located in Belmont adjacent to the Pecatonica State Trail on S. Park St. It has a softball diamond, playground, sand volleyball court, and picnic area with a shelter. There are also exercise stations throughout the park to use. This shelter maybe reserved for a fee by contacting the village office.

Ken Leahy Park

Ken Leahy Park is located by the water tower on S Mound Ave. and includes a tennis court, basketball court, horseshoe pits, playground, and picnic area with a shelter that has electricity. This shelter maybe reserved for a fee by contacting the village office.

Benton

The Village Park

Located on Highway 11 on the east side of Benton, the Village Park was originally the site of the 1852 St. Clara Academy, founded by the venerable Father Samuel Mazzuchelli. When the academy was moved to Sinsinawa and the remaining mission home destroyed by fire in 1896, the land on which the academy stood was subsequently sold to the village to be used as a park.

The Village Park sits on 7.7 acres of ground and at one time was home to bowery dances, band concerts in the gazebo, and even outdoor movies on Saturday nights. Today the park is not only home to the 1851 Schoolhouse Museum, but it also offers visitors picnic areas, a shelter house, public restrooms, and a tennis and basketball court. Separated from the park proper, but still part of the Village Park, is an open area located to the north, adjacent to Whaley Court. This large area is suitable for field sports such as baseball, football, and soccer.

New in 2009: Music in the Park, every Sunday evening in August , local people bring lawn chairs and a cooler to enjoy a variety of tunes played by local bands on the new bandstand that was possible through local donations of time and money.

Swift Park

Much of the village and school-sponsored recreational activities take place at Benton’s 11-acre Swift Park, located just below the school on Park Avenue. The park is named for Ray Swift—Benton teacher, historian, and town activist.

Swift Park has lighted football, baseball, and softball fields that are used for school activities, summer recreational leagues, and various other recreational uses of community residents. Two lighted tennis and basketball courts offer ample opportunity for tennis matches and pickup games of basketball.

Included in Swift Park are picnic areas, playground equipment, restroom facilities, and two covered pavilions. One of the pavilions is part of a new concession stand that was constructed in the summer of 2006. The Benton Booster Club sold engraved bricks to help fund the project, and those bricks, complete with names and messages, were used to build the front wall of the building. Additional names will be engraved on blank bricks as people continue to purchase them through the years. Those wishing to have names or memorials added may call the Village Office (608.759.3721) for contact information.

Across the Coon Branch Creek at the southern end of the park is the Boy Scout Camp. This area includes a cabin and recreation grounds that are accessed by a foot bridge. The cabin was built by the Boy Scouts and is used mainly for scouting-related activities, including scouts who take part in the annual Boy Scout Pilgrimage in Galena, Illinois.

New in 2009: New park equipment at swift park, thanks to a grant received from the Dubuque Racing Association and local donations of time and money.

Milton B. Wiseman Memorial Park

This small, green-space park is marked by a memorial plaque as a tribute to local area veterans. The highway-median area, dedicated as the Milton B. Wiseman Memorial Park, is filled with blossoming flowers during the summer and is commonly known to locals simply as “the island.”

Blanchardville

McKellar Park

Beautiful McKellar Park is truly a gem in the community.  With the Pecatonica River bordering it to the North, the park contains a small campground, baseball & softball fields, shelters available for rental (upper shelter can include the kitchen), playground and community swimming pool.

Ryan Park

Blanchardville is the perfect location for outdoor recreation. With The Pecatonica River and Yellowstone Lake right here, there are opportunities for fishing, camping, canoeing, boating, biking and hiking. 

Gratiot

Wolf Creek Campground

The Wolf Creek Campground was created in 2005 on land donated to the Village by the Gratiot State Bank. Most of the work was done by a group of volunteers led by Bill Anschutz, a Village resident. Conveniently located just off of the Cheese County Recreation Trail and Wisconsin Highway 11, Wolf Creek Campground is a great place for camping, ATV enthusiasts, and fisherman. The Wolf Creek, a trout stream, runs through the Wolf River campground and empties into the Pecatonica River, just North and a little east of town. The Pecatonica is touted for fishing many varieties, and canoeing as well. A foot bridge across the creek is under construction and is expected to be accessible Summer 2014.

Amenities include:

• 24 campsites with water and electricity
• 10 campsites without electricity
• Beautiful new bathroom/shower facility (opened in May 2012)
Three (3) standard size and one (1) handicap accessible showers are available (FREE)
• Fire pits with grills (campfires permitted)
• Walking bridge to local park, food and drink (new Summer 2014)
• Water fill station easy to access
• Dump station 1/4 mile
• Gas for ATV's one block away
• Two playgrounds for children (one in the camping area, one across Wolf Creek)
• Picnic Tables
• Pets allowed (on leash)

Other Attractions include:

Access to all trails
Canoe landings for Pecatonia River
Fishing (Handicap Accessible)
Trout stream (Wolf Creek)

South Wayne

Fireman's Park

Firemen's park is located on Center Street in South Wayne near the Black Hawk Schools and Our Savior's Church.  The park has a small playground area and bathrooms and a shelterhouse which can be reserved for family gatherings, graduations, etc.  If you would like to reserve the shelterhouse, contact Claire Obert at 439-5504.

Veteran's Park

Veteran's Park was established a few years ago with a monument and a few picnic tables. There is a sidewalk leading up to the monument with bricks engraved with names of veterans or those who wished to donated to the project.  Recently added was a canon.